GA Champions Cup U14 Final: Nationals Coast

by Victor Olorunfemi

March 13, 2024

Players featured in this article:

Gabriella Camaj | 2028

MF | Nationals

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Putting together a performance fitting its dominant run to the final, Nationals Blue defeated Baltimore Armour 3-0 to take home the U14 Champions Cup title. That made it 12 scored and one conceded in four playoff games.

Hannah Yu struck first in the 14th minute as Tatum Sheckell broke through on a Gabriella Camaj pass and squared the ball across the goal for Yu to pass into an open net. It was a moment representing the elite chemistry and team play that sets this Nationals group in a class of its own.

That was reflected again in the 26th minute as Yu delivered a corner kick that Camaj volleyed straight into the bottom corner off the bounce. And 2-0 with 50+ minutes to play, there were concerns the game could turn into a blowout, but credit to the Baltimore side, they battled back and held the fort, particularly Jennah Abdulmani at right back and Avery Clelan at center back.

Still, in a quick burst, Alisa Gaglio dribbled past two defenders and finished in the second half to put the game away at 3-0. With the dust settled, this Nationals team will be the favorites at the GA National Finals this summer.

MVP: Hannah Yu, Nationals Blue