Clutch goals headline S. Atlantic July team

July 8, 2011

Title:
Alt: South Atlantic Team of the Month Features Carolinians, Georgians
Text: The July edition of the Players To Watch South Atlantic Team of the Month is out, with multiple players from the Carolinas and Georgia dotting the list.
By ESNN

Here is the Players To Watch Team of the Month in July for the South Atlantic region (South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia).

Remember, this feature is to honor top performers in their region over the past month or so across the span of age groups. There will be a boys' list and a girls' list, and a new region will be covered every weekday, Tuesday through Friday of each month. You can submit nominations at teamofthemonth@topdrawersoccer.com .

Following is the Boys List, in no particular order.

Darion Copeland, Alpharetta Ambush 93 Red U18 (GA), Center Back: Darion played every minute of every game during State Cup and Regional’s as several of the Ambush defenders were missing. Darion is extremely consistent and dependable proven by the fact he has not missed a game or tournament since joining the Ambush team at U-14. His size and strength give the Ambush’s defense an advantage. Darion is going to University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Ryo Ogawa (right)

Jeffrey Degen, Alpharetta Ambush 93 Red U18 (GA), Midfielder: Jeffrey wears the #10 and is team captain. This versatile playmaker excels on the outside right but will move to center midfield if the team needs added strength and height in the middle. Jeffrey had the first assist at Regional’s and the last goal (9th) in overtime during the Championship final versus Tulsa. He is another player who is tireless and able to play full games and into overtime without missing a beat. Jeff is playing for UNC Wilmington in the fall.

Karl Chester, Alpharetta Ambush 93 Red U18 (GA), Forward: Karl is a ‘difference maker’ for the Ambush helping them to their first Region III appearance at U-16. He is very fast and creative in the front and is hard to mark. In the final game of Regional’s which ended in a 5-5 draw, Karl scored a hat trick in overtime to win the Championship. Karl is a going to have much success as he continues on to play for the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Zach Olofson, 96 Capital Area Soccer League (CASL) Chelsea U14 (NC), Midfield: Defensive Midfielder Zach has been extremely consistent in anchoring the midfield. He was a large part of connecting the team’s play through the midfield throughout State Cup and Regional’s.

Dominic Jensen, 96 Capital Area Soccer League (CASL) Chelsea U14 (NC), Midfield: Dominic, an attacking midfielder for the 96 CASL Chelsea is a tireless worker in the midfield that can play simple as well as prove to be dangerous in the attack.

Daniel Avila, 96 Capital Area Soccer League (CASL) Chelsea U14 (NC), Midfield: Left midfielder Daniel scored a fantastic goal in the closing minutes of the State Cup Final to send it into overtime and then scored his PK in the shootout.

Evan Krause, 95 Capital Area Soccer League (CASL) Elite U15 (NC), Center Back: Evan has anchored the defense throughout the year providing great leadership and excellent one on one defensive ability throughout State Cup and Regional’s.

Danny Davis, 95 Capital Area Soccer League (CASL) Elite U15 (NC), Forward: Danny is an extremely gifted attacking player who is dangerous with the ball at his feet as well as with getting in behind the defense to provide many key goals for the CASL Elite U15’s this season.

Caleb Duvernay, 95 Capital Area Soccer League (CASL) Elite U15 (NC), Defender: Left Back Caleb Duvernay is a consistent defender with the great understanding of his position knowing when to contain and when to step in at opposing offensive players. In addition, he has been very reliable going forward in the attack.

Seth Poole, 93 Capital Area Soccer League (CASL) Elite U17 (NC), Defender: At center back, Seth anchored the CASL 93 Elite defense throughout the team’s State Cup Championship run. In addition, Seth showed very well at Regional’s working to keep the defense organized and excelling in 1v1 situations.

Nicky Watson, Carolina Elite Soccer Academy 94 Premier U16 (SC), Forward: CESA’s Nicky Watson tied for first with four goals scored and captured the Most Valuable Player honors in the U16 boys division at the Region III Championships. This prolific goal scorer put up both goals in CESA 94’s 2-0 Championship game and the game winner in the team’s 1-0 quarterfinal win.

Rory Feigel, Carolina Elite Soccer Academy 94 Premier U16 (SC), Midfield: Due to an injury prior to Regional’s, Rory assisted in defensive duties and put in several fantastic performances helping CESA to give up only one goal in six games at Regional’s. At Regional’s, Rory proved his supremacy in the air with a spectacular leap to clear a sure goal off the line and send it over the cross bar saving a 1-0 lead for the CESA U16 squad.

James Campbell, Carolina Elite Soccer Academy 94 Premier U16 (SC), Center Back: James Campbell is a great motivator, organizer and leader of the defense who conveys his emotion and passion for the game to his teammates. James is an outstanding tackler, works tireless to win every challenge and uses his great skill, stamina, and fearlessness to terrorize some of the best forwards in the country.

Matthew Freeman, Carolina Elite Soccer Academy 93 Premier U17 (SC), Defender: Matthew, a 2012 Clemson recruit, is a hard-working right back who works tirelessly up and down the field supporting both the attack and shutting down offensive advancement from the flank. He provides great service to the forwards through his ability to switch the field and pass with great accuracy.

Kyle Fisher, Carolina Elite Soccer Academy 93 Premier U17 (SC), Central Defender: Kyle, a 2012 Old Dominion recruit, is a strong, consistent defensive back who not only leads the CESA U17 boy’s defensive line but stands out individually with excellent 1v1 skills and great tacking ability.

Cole Seiler, Carolina Elite Soccer Academy 93 Premier U17 (SC), Forward: Cole, a U.S. Soccer's U17 Men's National Team Residency Program player is continuing to attract a lot of interest with his recent play at the Region III Championships. Cole scored in the sixteenth minute and again in the fifty-seventh minute in CESA’s win over the Dallas Texans Red to secure the U17’s spot in the semi-finals.

Ryo Ogawa, Carolina Elite Soccer Academy 93 Premier U17 (SC), Midfield: Japanese national Ryo brings a great game intelligence, work rate and composure to the CESA midfield. Ryo is exceptionally patient and successful in 1v1 situations and his excellent scholastic record and soccer skills are garnering him a lot of attention from top schools.

Following is the Girls List, in no particular order.

Tahirih Nesmith, Carolina Elite Soccer Academy 94 Girls Premier U16 (SC), Central Defender: Tahirih provided the CESA 94’s with consistent, high level defensive performances over 3 regional games against CASL (NC), Lonestar (S-TX) and Ponte Vedra (FL). Tahirih is also a member of the 95 ODP Regional team and travelled with them to Germany and France during spring 2011.

Chelsea Drennan, Carolina Elite Soccer Academy 94 Girls Premier 16 (SC), Central Midfielder: A versatile player who is dangerous going forward and strong in the air, Chelsea – a 2013 - has verbally committed to South Carolina.

Gina Cardenas, Carolina Elite Soccer Academy 94 Girls Premier 16 (SC), Defender/Midfielder: Gina is a strong versatile athlete who can both defend and attack. She scored for the CESA 94 girls against Ponte Vedra (FL) in final game at Regionals.

Monica Trickett (left)

Stephanie Devita, Carolina Elite Soccer Academy 93 Girls Premier U17 (SC), Central Midfield/Forward: Stephanie is a consistent high level performer in a variety of roles. She scored the game winning goal to advance to Regional quarter finals in a 2-1 win against Brentwood Premier (TN). She is a 2012 who has committed to Furman and a two time South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year.

India Robinson, Carolina Elite Soccer Academy 93 Girls Premier U17 (SC), Central Midfield: India is a 2011 graduate who will be continuing her athletic and scholastic career with Furman University this fall. India was a key player during Regionals using her pin point passing skills, technical ability and excellent field vision to assist on multiple goals.

Sarah Tuggle, Carolina Elite Soccer Academy 93 Girls Premier U17 (SC), Central Midfield: A midfielder who can attack and score, as well as distribute the ball and defend, Sarah scored winning goal in 1-0 victory over CASL at Regionals.

Celeste Barnard, Capital Area Soccer League, 96 Girls U14 (NC), Goalkeeper: Celeste was at the top of her game this Spring helping to keep the 96 CASL Spartan Elite Black in games throughout the season. In state cup play, she gave up only 1 goal in 6 games and in Regionals, on CASL’s way to the quarterfinals, she gave up 2 goals in total and came up with big save after big save during quarterfinals.

Taylor Otto, Capital Area Soccer League, 96 Girls U14 (NC), Central Midfield/Forward: While playing up Top, one of CASL 96’s team captain’s, Taylor helped to create opportunities in the final third. In State Cup semi-final play, she scored the game winning goal vs. Charlotte and scored 1 out of the 3 team goals in the Championship finals. At Regionals, Taylor scored 4 goals in 4 games en route to the quarterfinals.

Dominique Babbitt, Capital Area Soccer League, 95 Girls U15 (NC), Center Back: Throughout Regionals, Dominique showed great game intelligence, composure, and the ability to defend and initiate the attack out of the back. She reads the game and the opposition very well allowing her to always see the game one step in advance. Her ability to keep those around her organized helped to carry the 95s to great success this season.

Alexis Pendergraft, Capital Area Soccer League, 95 Girls U15 (NC), Defensive Center Midfield: As one of the team captains, Alexis is a great leader in charge of directing the U15 girls run of play. Every play is worked through Alexis allowing for great team flow and rhythm. She creates scoring opportunities, switches point of attack over distance to stretch the opponent’s defense and in turn, this created opportunities for CASL to get in behind defenses resulting in the 95 girls advancing to the semifinals at Regionals.

Christina Gibbons, Capital Area Soccer League, 94 Girls U16 (NC), Left Back: During Regionals play, the 94 CASL Spartan Elite Black were without players due to National Team duties. As a result Christina stepped up to play three different positions to help lead the 94s to a semifinal berth. She tallied one goal and several assists to help lead her team. Christina shows a great understanding of the game which allowed for her to step into these roles in a comfortable manner.

Claire Wagner, Capital Area Soccer League, 94 Girls U16 (NC), Center Back: As one of the team captains, Claire was the anchor and leader of the back four playing every minute of every game during Regionals. Her steady play helped to carry the 94 CASL Spartan Elite Black to a birth in the semifinals. Her consistency and ability to play out of the back allowed CASL to maintain possession in turn she helped to hold CASL’s opponents to 1 goal over 5 games.

Monica Trickett, Capital Area Soccer League, 93 Girls U17 (NC), Center Back: As one of the team captains, Monica was extremely consistent over the past month and during her 3 games at Regionals. She is the CASL’s anchor in the back and was able to maintain a consistent level of defensive excellence throughout the event. Monica possesses great vision, understanding of the game, and leadership qualities that strengthen the 93s back line and help keep the team in every game.

Caroline Lindquist, Capital Area Soccer League, 93 Girls U17 (NC), Center Midfield: Caroline has been an extremely consistent player over the past month. As one of the team captains - and having been called into multiple u18 National team camps - Caroline brings a level of quality and energy to her game that benefits her team. Throughout the Regionals event, Caroline played multiple positions with a consistent level of excellence. On the left flank she was able to go at players and whip service into the box creating scoring opportunities for her team.

Emily Sonnett, North Atlanta Soccer Association ‘12 Elite II, U17 (GA), Midfield: U18 National Team Midfielder Emily Sonnett is the type of player that when the game is on the line, she wants the ball and during Regionals, she played up top and had many opportunities to score. Though Emily, proving she is a selfless teammate and exceptional at distributing the ball, Emily served as the playmaker for the NASA offense which scored 17 goals throughout their Regional campaign. For her overall play contributing to NASA ’12 Elite II’s success, she was named MVP of the U17’s Region III Championship.

Alyse Scott, North Atlanta Soccer Association ‘12 Elite II, U17 (GA), Goalkeeper: There was no question that Alyse Scott should be named the U17’s Region III Golden Glove honoree. The keeper and her stifling defensive line produced six shutouts in six games including a huge save on a PK for the 1-0 semi-final victory over powerhouse Dallas Texans 94 Red.

Bria Washington, North Atlanta Soccer Association ‘12 Elite II, U17 (GA), Forward: Bria Washington tied for second in the U17’s group at the Region III Championships with four goals of her team’s 17 scored at the Championship. This incredibly fast, athletic and unselfish forward is exceptional off the ball and a great passer which in turn opens up the field to create chances for the balanced NASA attack.

Willough Davis, North Atlanta Soccer Association ‘14 Elite, U15 (GA), Forward: Willow is a versatile athlete who can play both forward and midfield. At the forward position, she is not just a target – she breaks defenses down with her tireless work rate, she produces crafty runs off the ball to create space and is exceptional at winning 1v1 situations.

Julia Gaston, North Atlanta Soccer Association ‘14 Elite, U15 (GA), Midfield: Attacking Center Midfielder Julia is a hard working player. She uses her great ball skills to break defensive pressure to score, she can deliver pin point passes for assists and use her exceptional speed to get back and defend.

Erica Langhorne, North Atlanta Soccer Association ‘14 Elite, U15 (GA), Center Back: Erica is the leader of the NASA ’14 defense. She is a strong defender with great skill and the knowledge of when to contain or challenge opposing offensive players. She is excellent defending in 1v1 situations and extremely strong in the air.