Nationals Blue completed the GA U14 double on Sunday with a national title to match their Champions Cup trophy from early spring. In a complete performance, the Michigan-based power defeated TopHat Gold 2-0 on strikes from Hannah Yu and Alisa Gaglio.

The game began frantically, with neither side establishing control. That allowed Nationals center-back Kennedy Witmer to impose her will with several impressive and composed ball-winning interventions. For TopHat, it was Blair Blanta providing the same combative play at holding midfield, repeatedly winning 50/50 challenges and protecting the backline.

That back-and-forth play eventually led to the first goal as TopHat Gold conceded a corner kick that Yu would step up to take. Her right-footed in-swinging corner sailed past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net following a deflection from a defender.

With the confidence from the opening goal, Nationals soon found another, this one on a moment of brilliance from Gaglio, who laced a right-footed shot into the top corner from outside the 18.

Despite Gaglio’s strike coming a few minutes before halftime, it stood as the last of the match as the Nationals defense did well to repel a motivated TopHat team. The tenacious Sophie Kowalzyk looked closest to scoring with several impressive solo moments, but Nationals goalkeeper Audrey Melchior was there to match with clutch saves.

Player of the Match: Hannah Yu, Nationals Blue

Tournament MVP: Kennedy Witmer, Nationals Blue 

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