FRISCO, Texas (Dec. 27, 2009) – Elite players in the 1990 and 1992 age groups kicked off competition at the 2009 US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (US Youth Soccer ODP) Girls Winter Interregional today at Freedom Ridge Park in Ridgeland, Miss.
 
US Youth Soccer ODP regional teams will train and compete in front of national and leading collegiate coaches to maximize their exposure. US Youth Soccer is divided into four regions, Region I (East), Region II (Midwest), Region III (South) and Region IV (West) to assist in national competitions.
 
Regional teams are comprised of the top players from their geographic region. In the 1990 age group, the United team is comprised of players from Region I, Region III and Region IV.
 
{mosomage:300}US Youth Soccer ODP is known as the premier identification and development program for the nation's youth seeking the opportunity to compete at the national, professional and collegiate levels of play.

The 1990 United team prevailed over Region I this afternoon, winning 4-2. Region I’s Katherine Donnelly scored early with a 6th minute goal. To tie the match in the first half, Marjani Glover scored for United in the 37th minute. The second half brought three additional goals for United. In the 58th minute, Lucy Gildein put United up by one. United’s Marion Crowder scored in the 67th and 86th minutes for the win. Crowder is a 1995 playing up with the United team for this event. Region I’s Maddy Evans also scored in the 76th minute.

It appeared that 1990 Region III would win today’s match against Region II after Laura Weinburg scored in the 9th minute and their defense held the score through the first half and nearly all of the second. In the 89th minute, Kate Howarth put Region II on the board with a goal. The game ended tied, 1-1.

The 1992 Region IV versus Region I match ended in a tie, with each team having a player who scored two back-to-back goals. Region I’s Francisca Okoko kicked of the game with a goal in the 11th minute. Next, Jahmela Williams-Muhammed scored two goals for Region IV in the 25th and 39th minutes. Region I’s Rachel Nuzzolese countered with two of her own in the 44th and 58th minutes. In the 90th minute, Sheida Crystal Shaffie scored the equalizer, ending the game, 3-3.

The 1992 Region II and Region III game ended was also decided in the final minutes of play today. After a scoreless first half, the second appeared to be evenly matched as well. It wasn’t until the 89th minute that Arin Gillialand scored the game winner for Region II. Region II won, 1-0, over Region III.

Scores | Dec. 27

1990 United 4, Region I 2
Goal scorers: United- Marjani Glover (37:00) Lucy Gildein (58:00), Marion Crowder (67:00) (86:00)
Region I- Katherine Donnelly (6:00), Maddy Evans (76:00)

1990 Region III 1, Region II 1
Goal scorers: Region III- Laura Weinburg (9:00)
Region I: Region II- Kate Howarth (89:00)

1992 Region IV 3, Region I 3
Goal scorers: Region IV- Jahmela Williams-Muhammed (25:00) (39:00), Sheida Crystal Shaffie (90:00)
Region I- Francisca Okoko (11:00), Rachel Nuzzolese (44:00) (58:00)

1992 Region II 1, Region III 0
Goal scorer: Region II- Arin Gillialand (89:00)

Upcoming Schedule*

Monday, Dec. 28
1:30 p.m.             1990       Region I vs. Region III     Yellow field
2:30 p.m.             1990       Region II vs. United         Green field
3:30 p.m.             1992       Region I vs. Region III     Yellow field
4:30 p.m.             1992       Region II vs. Region IV     Green field

Tuesday, Dec. 29
1:30 p.m.             1990       Region I vs. Region II        Yellow field
2:30 p.m.             1990       Region III vs. United         Green field
3:30 p.m.             1992       Region I vs. Region II        Yellow field
4:30 p.m.             1992       Region III vs. Region IV     Green field
*Schedule is subject to change. All Eastern time zone.