LANCASTER, Calif. – Defending 2008 US Youth Soccer National Champions, the Under-19 Girls Colorado Rush Nike, along with 247 other boys and girls teams, kicked off the 2009 US Youth Soccer Region IV (West) Championships today at the Lancaster National Soccer Center in Lancaster, Calif.

There are nine Region IV Champions back this year and ready to defend their title. After day one of games some came out on top, some fell short and others broke even with a tie.

This week, the top 248 US Youth Soccer boys and girls teams from the 14 State Associations that make up US Youth Soccer Region IV compete for the regional title. Teams play a round robin schedule June 15-17, followed by a day of rest before qualifying teams advance to the quarterfinals on June 18. Semifinal will be played June 19, with champions crowned June 20.

Johnston Hat Trick lifts Sereno U17 Girls over defending champion So Cal  Blues
The Under-17 Girls So Cal Blues-Bobak (CA-S) are back to defend their Region IV title and it started with today’s game against Sereno 92 White (AZ). Julie Johnston opened the scoring for Sereno in the 14th minute, but the Blues Tawni Martino countered in the 30th minute and pushed the Blues to a 2-1 lead by following up with 37th minute shot. Johnston hit Sereno’s equalizer in the 39th minute for a 2-2 half time score. In the second half, Sereno took the lead with a 47th minute goal from Danielle De La Vina. Elizabeth Eddy once again tied the game for the Blues in the 53rd minute, but Sereno got the last goal in the 56th minute when Johnston polished off her first-day hat trick. Sereno won 4-3.

U19 Rush Girls Win Big
Defending the most prized title in youth soccer, that of National Champion, the Under-19 Girls Colorado Rush Nike came to the Region IV Championships to make statement and earn the right to defend their title.  Katie Martinez hit the first Colorado goal against Leahi Premier (HI) in the 18th minute. Teammate Danielle Foxhoven racked up a hat trick with three consecutive goals in the 36th, 40th and 44th minutes. After the half, Martinez had back-to-back goals, ten minutes apart, to get a hat trick of her own. Emmalie Pfankuch finished Colorado’s 8-0 win with two goals in the 83rd and 90th minutes.

Slammers 18s and 16s Take Wins
The Slammers FC (CA-S) Under-18 and Under-16 Girls are both looking for back-to-back Region IV Championship titles and both marked opening day of games with wins.

The Under-18 Girls Slammers (CA-S) took a 3-1 win over AK Rush (AK). Slammers’ Courtney Giovanni netted the only goal of the first half in the 10th minute. Samantha Strom (70:00) and Lauren Kennedy (87:00) both scored in the second half for the Slammers. Korina Velasco had the lone goal for the Rush in the 75th minute.

The Slammers Under-16 Girls held AUFC (NM) scoreless with their 2-0 victory. Tessa Andujar knocked one past the keeper in the 51st minute and Emily Dillon finished off the Slammers’ win with her goal in the 65th minute.

Other Highlights
Sydney Zuccolotto put the Under-14 Girls So Cal Blues (CA-S) up 1-0 against Mustang Blast (CA-N) in the 5th minute of play. Blast’s Reilly Parker netted back-to-back goals (23:00, 27:00) to pull into the lead, but the Blues regained the lead with two goals in the second half to win 3-2.
 
The Under-13 Girls Eastside FC Red (WA) held tight against the returning regional champions, Mustang Fury (CA-N). The game ended in a 0-0 draw.
 
The Under-19 Boys Neusport of Nevada knew today’s game would be a challenge, as they faced the defending Region IV Champions, Cisco Toros of Arizona. The Toros came out strong with an 18th minute goal by Nicholas DeLeon. Teammate Antonio Valera netted another in the 48th minute. Brian Green pushed the Toros to 3-0 with a 70th minute goal and they capped off the 4-0 victory with Alfredo Rico’s shot in the 78th minute.

Sereno 94 White (AZ) tested 2008 regional champs, Arsenal FC (CA-S), in today’s match up. Riggs Lennon put Sereno on the boards in the 7th minute and Sereno held the lead until the 55th when Arsenal’s Edward Arrietta knocked one in. Neither team was able to finish and the game ended 1-1.
 
Looking to go for a second regional championship, the Under-13 Boys West Coast FC (CA-S), came out looking for a win on day one against Crossfire Premier (WA). West Coast had the upper hand after a 42nd minute goal by Brian Pacheco, but Crossfire countered in the 67th with an Alex Bell goal. The game ended 1-1.

Click here to read ALL our Region IV Previews, or click the links below.

Region IV Younger Girls preview
Region IV Younger Boys preview
Region IV Older Girls preview
Region IV Older Boys Preview

Monday’s Score

Boys	Home		Visitor
Under-12 Under-12 Under-12 Under-12 Under-12	(WY) Jackson Hole Soccer (WA) Crossfire Premier (CO) Real CO National (CA-N) Mustang Internazion (UT) UCFS Academy	0 6 2 4 1	(NV) Neusport FC (HI) HSC Bulls (CA-N) Redwood Juventus CRS (OR) Cascade FC Boca Jr (AK) NLSC Unity	9 1 2 5 2
Under-13 Under-13 Under-13 Under-13 Under-13 Under-13 Under-13 Under-13	(NM) Strikers FC (WA)Washington Premier FC (MT) FC Missoula (CA-N) Santa Clara Sporting (WA) Crossfire Premier (HI) Maui United (NV) Neusport Green (HI) Real Rush Nike	0 0 0 12 1 0 4 1	(UT) La Roca Premier AO (OR) NWSSA Eagles (CO) CO Storm Royal (AK) CISC Velocity (CA-S) West Coast FC (AZ)Scottsdale Blackhawks (MT) Magic City (ID) Boise Natls Celtic	3 0 6 0 1 5 0 1
Under-14 Under-14 Under-14 Under-14 Under-14 Under-14 Under-14 Under-14	UT) La Roca PO (NM) NM Rush Stingers (CA-N) Mission GS Real SF (CA-S) Albion White (WA) Eastside FC Storm (MT) Flathead Force (AZ) SC del sol 95 White (AK) CISC Velocity	0 0 14 2 2 0 1 0	(CO) CO Rush Nike (CA-S) West Coast FC (WY) Cheyenne Sting (NV) SBSC United Red (ID) Boise Natl Premier (OR) Cascade FC Atlas (HI) Abunal (CA-S) Arsenal FC	3 2 0 0 1 10 1 7
Under-15 Under-15 Under-15 Under-15 Under-15 Under-15 Under-15 Under-15	(MT) Helena Arsenal (HI) Real Rush Nike (NV) Players United (OR) WSM Premier (ID) Idaho Rush Nike (WA)Washington Premier FC (AZ) Sereno 94 White (NM) NM Rush Nike	0 1 3 2 2 1 1 0	(CA-N) Santa Clara Sporting (CA-S) Aztecs FC (AK) NLSC Sparta (CO) CO Rush Nike (NM) Rio Vista FC (UT) La Roca Premier AO (CA-S) Arsenal FC (CA-S) Eagles	8 4 1 0 0 2 1 3
Under-16 Under-16 Under-16 Under-16 Under-16 Under-16 Under-16 Under-16	(ID) Idaho Rush Nike (OR)Santos FC River Plate (NV) Cordica USA (AK) Full Force (NM) Elite FC Gladiators (UT) Blue Knights Premier (CA-N)Foothill MVLA Raptors (AZ) Sereno 93 White	3 0 0 0 1 3 1 0	(MT) Helena Arsenal (CA-S) Real So Cal White (WA) Crossfire Premier (CO ) CO Storm North Copa (CA-S) West Coast FC (OR) WSM Remix (HI) Real Rush Nike (CA-S) Arsenal FC	1 4 1 2 1 1 0 0
Under-17 Under-17 Under-17 Under-17 Under-17 Under-17 Under-17 Under-17	(AZ) Pros 92 White (CA-N) Mustang Ajax (WA) Eastside FC Red-Lee (CO) CO Storm North Red (NV) LV Premier (HI) Real Rush Nike (UT) La Roca Premier DP (ID) Boise Capitals	1 3 1 1 1 1 2 3	(CA-S) CZ Elite (CA-S) United FC (UT) Inter FC Premier (HI) HSC Bulls (NM) Rio Vista FC (CA-S) Slammers FC (OR) ESUFC Liverpool (AK) AK Rush	3 4 2 2 3 5 3 1
Under-18 Under-18 Under-18 Under-18 Under-18 Under-18 Under-18 Under-18	(AZ) Cisco Dragons 91 (ID) Coeur d'Alene Sting (UT) Sparta Premier (AZ) Sereno White (CA-S) FC Barcelona (CO) Arsenal CO Gold (NM) Rio Vista FC (WA)Eastside FC Red-Storm	7 1 0 2 1 3 3 0	(MT) Magic City (HI) HSC Bulls (NV) LV Premier (UT) Impact Black CM (OR) WSM International (CA-S) Atlante S.D. (ID) Boise Capitals (CA-N) Central Marin FC	1 4 1 1 2 2 3 1
Under-19 Under-19 Under-19 Under-19 Under-19 Under-19	(NM) NM Rush Premier (UT) Sparta Premier (WA) River City SC Seely (NV) Neusport FC (CA-S)DMS 11 (CA-N) Turlock Tornados	4 0 1 0 0 4	(AZ) GSC Arsenal Premier (HI) HSC Bulls (OR) WSM GUNNERS (AZ) Cisco Toros (CO)Colorado Rush Nike (MT) Missoula Strikers	1 0 2 4 1 0
Girls	Home		Visitor
Under-12 Under-12 Under-12 Under-12 Under-12 Under-12	(CA-S) Arsenal FC (WA) FC Vancouver Glory (CA-N) Mustang Mavericks (HI) Leahi Premier (NV) Ballistic SO (OR) LOSC Defeeters	5 1 1 0 1 1	(UT) Avalanche Premier (WA) Eastside FC Red (AZ) Sereno 97 White (CO) Real CO National (AK) CISC Velocity (CO) Pride Predators	1 4 1 0 4 4
Under-13 Under-13 Under-13 Under-13 Under-13 Under-13 Under-13 Under-13	(NM) Elite FC Barcelona (CO) Pride Predators (AK) CISC Velocity (CA-N) Foothill MVLA Light (CA-N) Mustang Fury (CA-S) West Coast FC (NM) NM Clash FC America (OR) LOSC Extreme	1 0 0 0 0 6 0 3	(MT) Magic City (AZ) Sereno 96 White (ID)Boise Nationals Blast (HI) Leahi Premier (WA)Eastside FC RedBialek (UT) Sparta Premier (NV) LV Premier White (NV) Neusport Green	2 3 2 1 0 2 2 0
Under-14 Under-14 Under-14 Under-14 Under-14 Under-14 Under-14 Under-14	(OR) SSC Ireland (NV) LV Premier Black (CA-N) Mustang Blast (NM) AUFC 95 Fusion (CA-S) Aresenal FC (AZ) Sereno 95 White (WA) SSFC White (CA-S) X-treme Breakaway	1 4 2 1 4 2 0 1	(HI) Leahi Premier (ID) Les Bois Elite (CA-S) So Cal Blues (AK) CISC Velocity (UT) Utah Rush Nike (CO) CO Rush Nike (MT) Magic City (CA-S) SD Surf White	1 0 3 0 1 1 0 2
Under-15 Under-15 Under-15 Under-15 Under-15 Under-15 Under-15 Under-15	(CA-S) Slammers FC (HI) Real Rush Nike (HI) Ka'oi Express (WA) Evergreen Green (CO) CO Rush Nike (CA-S) So Cal Blues (NM) Rio Vista FC Eagles (NV) LV Premier White	1 0 1 1 1 0 4 2	(CA-N) Mustang Rampage (OR) OR Rush Nike (AZ) Sereno 94 White (MT) Magic City (ID) Les Bois Ginga (UT) La Roca Premier PT (AK) Eclipse (CA-S) CZ Elite Soccer	0 3 1 1 0 0 0 1
Under-16 Under-16 Under-16 Under-16 Under-16 Under-16 Under-16 Under-16	(ID) Les Bois Elite (CA-S) Eagles (AZ) Sereno 93 White (NM) AUFC (WA) Emerald City FC (MT) Magic City (WY) Gillette Edge (AK) AK Rush	1 4 0 0 1 0 0 0	(CA-S) So Cal Blues (OR) FC Portland Green (CA-N) Deanza Force Blue (CA-S) Slammers FC (UT) La Roca Premier AO (NV) Neusport Green (CO) CO Rush Nike (HI) Leahi Premier	7 0 2 2 0 0 7 1
Under-17 Under-17 Under-17 Under-17 Under-17 Under-17 Under-17 Under-17	(UT) Avalanche Premier (AK) CISC Velocity (NM) Rio Vista FC (CA-N) Deanza Force Blue (AZ) Sereno 92 White (OR) Tualatin Hills Utd (CA-N) Mustang Spirit (CA-S) Real So Cal Blue	5 1 1 0 4 2 4 2	(AZ) GSC Arsenal Premier (WA) Crossfire Premier (HI) Real Rush Nike (CO) Storm Academy Copa (CA-S) So Cal Blues (NM) Elite FC Titans (NV) FC Las Vegas Mundial (ID) Les Bois Elite	0 5 1 5 3 0 2 2
Under-18 Under-18 Under-18 Under-18 Under-18 Under-18 Under-18 Under-18	(CA-S) So Cal Blues (OR) FC Portland Sapphire (OR) LOSC Soul Crew (NM) Elite FC Adrenaline (NV) Players SC Blue (AK) AK Rush (AZ) SC del sol 91 (ID) Les Bois Elite	1 1 3 1 2 1 0 1	(CO) Real CO National (CA-S) Real SO Cal White (MT) Bozeman Blitzz (CA-N) Pleasanton Rage (UT) Black Diamond SC (CA-S) Slammers FC (WA) Crossfire Premier (HI) Leahi Premier	1 2 0 8 2 3 2 2
Under-19 Under-19 Under-19 Under-19 Under-19 Under-19	(AZ) SC del sol White (CA-S) Eagles (UT) Avalanche Premier (HI) Leahi Premier (CA-N)ARYSL San Juan Spirit (NM) Rio Vista FC	4 7 11 0 1 7	(OR) WSM Galaxy (MT) Electric City Tboltz (OR-1)FC Portland Crimson (CO) CO Rush Nike (WA) Shadow-Bushey (ID) Xtreme	0 2 0 8 3 0

Regional winners of the Under-14 through Under-19 age groups earn a berth to the 2009 US Youth Soccer National Championships to be played July 21-26, at Citizens Bank Fields at Progin Park in Lancaster, Mass.

The James P. McGuire Cup is the oldest trophy in youth sport dating back to 1935 with the inaugural youth championships. The Under-19 Boys age group as the National Champion will hoist the McGuire Cup. This is the 74th anniversary of the storied cup.

About the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series – The US Youth Soccer National Championship Series provides more than 10,000 teams from US Youth Soccer's 55 State Associations the opportunity to showcase their abilities against the best in the nation while emphasizing teamwork, discipline and fair play. The yearlong competition begins with over 185,000 players in the US Youth Soccer State Championships.  These champions and selected wildcard teams, through US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues, advance to compete in one of four the US Youth Soccer Regional Championships. Champions (U-14 through U-19) from each regional event advance to the US Youth Soccer National Championships.  The Under-15 through 17 Boys and Girls age groups have two teams representative of the US Youth Soccer National League, in which the top two teams in each gender age group earn a direct path to the national championships. Overall the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series provides the nation's top collegiate coaches with the premier stage to identify and scout the most coveted players in the country.