GREENSBORO, North Carolina – Throughout the 2014 club soccer season, head coach Steve Davis has had his N.Y. Rush Patriots '98 playing up a class.

Even though Patriots '98, nominally a U16 program, are frequently taking on teams with older players, it hasn't kept them from winning – and winning often.

They added another prize to N.Y. Rush's trophy case Monday, with Patriots '98 shutting out Whatcom FC Rangers '96 Gold 2-0 to claim the U17 Girls Super Group title at the National Cup XIII Finals at the Bryan Park Soccer Complex.

Gina DiRusso and Sophie Lowenstein both had goals for Patriots '98, who won their fourth tournament title of the 2014 season – and, to Davis, the most important.

“We're playing them up in age, but we're really not playing them up in class,” Davis said. “As lot of them are going to be seniors in high school, so they're matching up (with other teams) in terms of grade, but they're maybe six to 12 months younger.

“These guys deserved this. They've only lost four games all year … but this is the one we're going to enjoy the most.”

DiRusso put Patriots '98 ahead late in the first half, punching home a shot past Rangers '96 Gold keeper Natalie Robinson from 10 yards out in the 43^rd minute to give N.Y. Rush a 1-0 halftime lead.

Lowenstein added an insurance goal late in the second half, connecting a free kick into the right side of Whatcom FC's goal at the 75^th minute.

Meanwhile, the Patriots '98's defense – led by keeper Jena Pelinkovic and sweeper Sarah Williams – was keeping their opponents' offense in check. Rangers '96 Gold managed just one good attempt, with forward Alexa Smiley ringing a hard shot off the crossbar midway through the first half.

“Our philosophy is to possess the ball to progress the ball,” Davis said. “The team has a motto: 'Whatever it takes.' We came into this event with no regrets. We wanted to leave everything out on the field, and that's what happened.”

U15 BOYS SUPER GROUP

Stronghold SC Falcons 2, N.Y. Hota Bavarian Thunder '98 1

Kevin Brito's goal midway through the second half broke a tie game and lifted the Falcons to the U15 Boys Super Group national championship.

Brito's goal ended a three-goal run over an eight-minute span by the two teams to give Stronghold its first tournament title of the 2014 season.

After a scoreless first half, the Falcons took the lead at the 54^th minute when midfielder Daniel Paez put an extreme-angle crossing shot over Thunder '98 keeper Michael Galetta's hand, off the crossbar and just across the goal line.

N.Y. Hota Bavarian struck back quickly, with Michael Coby scoring less than a minute later to tie the match at 1-1. But Brito put Stronghold SC ahead to stay in the 63^rd minute, breaking free from two defenders to punch a shot past Galetta from 15 yards out.

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