The final weekend of April has a number of conference battles in ECNL play on the slate. On top of those division titles, there is also the implications from the national standings with so many of the top teams in action this weekend.
Who will come out on top heading into May? TopDrawerSoccer takes a look at some of the marquee fixtures.
U14
The matchup of the weekend is on Sunday in Southern California where Slammers host San Diego Surf. Slammers are 12-1-1 on the season and trying to knock Surf off its perch. Surf remains undefeated on the campaign with a 12-0-1 mark. Mia Fishel and Leyla Mcfarland scored for Surf in the first meeting this season, which was a 2-1 win for the San Diego side.
Solar Chelsea Soccer Club has a big test this weekend with a game against Dallas Texans. Solar is top of the table in the Texas Conference with a 14-1 record in conference play. Texans sit in third with an 11-4-1 record. Solar rolled to a 4-0 win in the first meeting this season. Julia Parks scored twice while Sydney Nobles and Sarah Mason added a goal each.
San Juan Soccer Club wraps up its regular season this weekend with home games against Crossfire United and FC Portland. San Juan has not given up a goal since Nov. 15., a streak of eight games. This is the first meeting of the season between these teams.
U15
So Cal Blues shutout streak came to a close last Sunday when Slammers snuck in a goal in a 4-1 win for the Blues. The Blues return to play this weekend, and the chance to start another streak, with games against Eagles Soccer Club and Arsenal FC. Blues won the first meeting of the season against the Eagles 3-0 and defeated Arsenal 2-0. So Cal Blues are first in the Southwest Conference and first in the champions league qualification.
The Northeast Conference is home of the top matchup this weekend with Match Fit Academy taking on PDA on Sunday in a battle between the first and second place teams in that conference. This is the first meeting of the season between these teams.
Crossfire Premier hits the road this weekend for games against Pleasanton Rage and Mustang SC. Crossfire is looking to return to its winning ways after only snagging three points from three games in San Diego during the National Event earlier this year.
U16
Michigan Hawks hit the double this weekend with two games against Minnesota Thunder Academy. Hawks are undefeated in conference play and have only four games left in the conference this season. Thunder sits in the race for the playoff spot and would really benefit from nabbing a few points off the Hawks this weekend.
De Anza Force hosts Utah Avalanche and FC Nova this weekend in conference play. Force is working on improving on its ECNL-best plus-58 goal differential. Kayla Fong is still the top scorer for Force with 19 goals to her name in only 17 appearances. She only has one goal in her last three games though.
TSC Hurricane hosts D’Feeters Soccer Club and Dallas Sting this weekend in Texas Conference action. TSC is second in the conference and trying to close the gap on leaders Dallas Texans. Parker Goins and Taylor Malham both had a goal an dan assist in a 3-0 win for TSC over D’Feeters in the first meeting this season. Sting beat TSC 2-1 in their meeting in December. Adrianna Jimmerson had two assists in that matchup. April Pate and Ellis Miller scored the goals.
U17
Internationals SC is trying to push its unbeaten streak to double digits this weekend with a pair of games against Bethesda SC. The Ohio team is in first place in its conference as well as holding the top spot in the national standings heading into the weekend.
AB’s Real So Cal U17 squad faces off against Strikers FC on Sunday in an important Southwest Conference showdown. Real So Cal is third in the conference standings while Strikers sits in fourth. Strikers FC won the first meeting this season 2-1 thanks to goals from Stephanie Husband and Jennifer Ramirez.
U18
Dallas Sting slowly churns toward the end of the campaign with games against FC Dallas and TSC Hurricane. Sting is in first place in the oldest age group for the ECNL. The Dallas squad has only conceded six goals in 18 games this season.
Players to Watch:
