The Region III Premier League East is wrapping up play and already a couple of teams clinched their perspective championships.

Raleigh, NC club Capital Area Soccer League Spartan Elite Black U16 Girls clinched a third consecutive championship after a pair of victories over Concorde Fire South Elite, 7-0, and GSA Phoenix Red, 4-1.

CASL concluded a perfect season with an 11-0-0 mark, 33 points, and a 32-goal differential.

“This title is exciting for the kids, it’s one of the first events of the season,” CASL Spartan Elite Head Coach Damon Nahas said. “We have worked so hard and have won it in the U14 and U15 levels.”

The major factor helping the Spartans conquer a third title was the low turnover on the team from last season. Actually, there wasn’t any turnover, as the team from the 2009 championship stayed exactly the same.

“One of the great things about this team was that there was consistency in the group,” Nahas said. “They have a greater ability to understand each other and we try to keep them focused. Overall there is talent across the board and all have a tremendous impact.”

Leading the talent was Alexis Shaffer, the Premier League East goal-scoring leader with 15 tallies. Co-captains Joanna Boyles and Claire Wagner also had a big impact to the team, as Nahas mentioned; they are the leaders on and off the field.

Boyle notched seven goals, good for second on the squad. Wagner, on the other hand, tied for first in assists with six, alongside Alexis Degler.

The scoring for Spartan came from all facets of the team, something that Nahas has always instilled in the girls.

“I preach defending from all players but I always tell all my players to attack,” he said. “My center backs are organized, and we talk about how significant is it to make runs from behind. A lot of goals were scored from the backs, so they deserve tremendous credit for all goals scored.”

An unsung hero on the field would be Spartan goalkeeper Taylor Francis, who has been consistent in the backline. So much so, that she finished the season with a 0.54 goals against average, with 31 saves and 6 goals allowed.
 
Now that the Premier League is all said and done, CASL Spartan will concentrate on the North Carolina Fall State Cup that commences this weekend. The squad will enter the tournament as defending champions, and for Nahas, keeping the girls motivated is key.

“For me, painting an honest picture for them and staying who we are is important. They have to understand where they want to be and how much hard work it takes to get there,” he said. “As you have some success, maintaining that success is a difficult thing. To make 16-year olds understand, they have to trust you. As fragile as this game can be, we want to have success.”

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On the boys side, Florida side West Pines United Black clinched the Region III Premier League East U15 crown with two 1-0 victories this weekend over Atlanta-area teams GSA Phoenix Red and Concorde Fire Elite.

With the double win, it left West Pines undefeated with 31 points in the regular season play, ahead of second place CASL Elite, who ended it’s season with 26.

Romerio Bernard, the team’s goal and point leader, with 10 and 24 respectively, led West Pines. Walker Dawkins was also influential in the team's success with his seven assists.

Joseph Ghitis was a rock between the pipes only allowing three goals and posting 63 saves.

Here is how he rest of the Premier League East looked:

Saturday October 23

U15 Boys: Charlotte SA Predator 1 – 0 CESA Premier
U15 Boys: Real Madrid Miami 1 – 1 Concorde Fire Elite
U15 Boys: CASL Elite 6 – 2 DSC Green Premier
U15 Boys: DISA Lighting 0 – 5 NASA Elite
U15 Boys: West Pines United Black 1 – 0 GSA Phoenix Red
U15 Boys: Florida Rush Nike 0 – 3 United FA Elite

U16 Boys: West Pined United Black 1 – 2 Team Boca
U16 Boys: Atlanta Spurs FC 1 – 3 Concorde Fire Elite

U17 Boys: GSA Phoenix Red 0 – 5 COBB FC Premier
U17 Boys: COBB FC Gold 0 – 4 Jacksonville Fire

U18 Boys: CESA Premier 1 – 2 Florida Rush Nike
U18 Boys: TFC Navy 2 – 3 NASA Elite
U18 Boys: LSCS United White – SAA-Real Madrid
U18 Boys: Jammers SC Gold 1 – 1 GSA Phoenix Red

U15 Girls: CASL Spartan Elite Black 1 – 0 NC Fusion elite

U17 Girls: NASA Elite II 1 – 2 United FA Elite

Sunday October 24

U15 Boys: Charlotte SA Predator 1 – 1 DSC Green Premier
U15 Boys: Real Madrid Miami 0 – 0 GSA Phoenix Red
U15 Boys: Florida Rush Nike 2 – 4 NASA Elite
U15 Boys: CASL Elite 6 – 1 CESA Premier
U15 Boys: West Pines United Black 1 – 0 Concorde Fire Elite
U15 Boys: DISA Lightning 1 – 4 United FA Elite

U16 Boys: Concorde Fire South Elite 3 – 1 Atlanta Spurs FC

U17 Boys: GSA Phoenix Red 2 – 2 Jacksonville Fury
U17 Boys: COBB FC Gold 0 – 6 COBB FC Premier

U18 Boys: CESA Premier 8 – 2 SAA-Real Madrid
U18 Boys: Jammers SC Gold 0 – 0 NASA Elite
U18 Boys: LCSC United White 1 – 4 Florida Rush Nike
U18 Boys: TFC Navy 2 – 0 GSA Phoenix Red

U15 Girls: CFK Krush Black 1 – 0 East Lake Arsenal Elite
U15 Girls: CASL Spartan Elite Black 4 – 0 CSA Predator
U17 Girls: PALM Harbor 0 – 5 Florida Rush NIKE