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ZAREPHATH, NEW JERSEY – A pair of highlight-reel goals from Solar SC forward Taylor Smith salvaged a 2-2 draw here with Stars of Massachusetts Saturday on the opening day of group play at the ECNL National Finals.

The U15 Girls match was a great advert for elite youth soccer and league organizers will hope it is a harbinger of things to come for the new venture.

Jason Dewhurst’s Stars of Mass team controlled much of the play in the 1st half, and it resulted in goals from Haley Dowd and Corey Persson.

Something changed at halftime and it resulted in Smith getting some chances to run with the ball. She went on a 60-yard gallop through the defense that put her in 1v1 with the goalkeeper and made no mistake with the finish to cut the lead to 2-1.

Smith followed with a bullet cross from the left and the resulting shot brought out an excellent reflex save from Stars goalkeeper Leah Dominique. Solar was coming forward in waves now, with Smith’s work complemented by excellent midfielder Quinnie Truong and Macee Blanchard, Jazmyne Simmons and Loudell Crumpler also adding to the attack.

Stars began to find their feet however and the very good linking play up front between Dowd, Persson and Emily Nasuti created some chances including a corner that Elizabeth Loring volleyed just wide from a serve by Taylor Levy.

Just when it appears Solar might be out of gas, Smith went on another brilliant run, rounding the keeper in the 6-yard box and scoring as she was felled by a Stars defender. She even came close to a hat trick, hitting the crossbar with a drive that could have won it. The match ended 2-2.

In the other Bracket A match of the U15 Championship Group, PDA Charge beat Real Colorado 1-0 behind a goal from Nicki Driesse. Harlee Leineek and Lisa Capelli shared the goalkeeping shutout. Catherine Zimmerman and Kristen McNabb were other standouts for PDA.

In Group B, Mustang SC beat Albertson 2-1 and Sting Dallas defeated Crossfire Premier 2-1. Mariah Titus scored a pair of goals for Sting, both assisted by Lucy Lara. Crossfire’s Isabel Farrell punctuated an excellent midfield performance with a penalty kick goal. Right back Laura Rayfield was also exceptional for Crossfire.

Gabriella Primera and Lauren Viverito shared a shutout in goal for hosts PDA Tsunami in their 1-0 U16 Championship win over Mustang SC, with Jessica Musmanno scoring the winner on an assist from Danielle Colaprico. Ohio Premier defeated Slammers in the other Group A match, while Stars of Mass (2-1 over Eclipse Select) and Colorado Rush (2-1 over Real So Cal White).

In U17 Championship play, PDA Fire continued the good form that brought them Region I Premier League and New Jersey State Cup titles this spring, beating Mustang SC 4-0. Mary Gibson Wagner capped an excellent midfield performance with a goal, while Kimberly An scored twice and Julie Vajda scored on a corner from Kacie Kergides. Carly Gallagher recorded the shutout in goal.

FC DELCO drew 2-2 with Sereno SC in the other Group A match, while Sting Dallas edged Albertson 1-0 and Crossfire Premier beat Eclipse Select 2-1 in Group B.

Championship group play resumes Sunday and concludes Monday morning. Group winners will play championship matches here Monday afternoon.

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Other Red Bull/ECNL Scores

U15 Red
Ohio Premier 0, Charlotte SC 0
Colorado Rush 2, Real So Cal White 0

U15 White
Slammers 6, FC DELCO 0
Connecticut FC 1, Eclipse Select 0

U15 Blue
Virginia Rush 1, Freestate Fury 1
Carmel United 0, Wall SC Wombats 0
FC Virginia 0, SC Del Sol 0

U16 Red
San Diego Surf 3, Charlotte SC 0
Sereno SC 1, Sting Dallas 1

U16 White
Connecticut FC 4, Solar SC 1
Ohio Elite 3, SC Del Sol 1

U16 Blue
Neusport FC 6, Virginia Rush 1

U17 Red
Solar SC 3, Colorado Rush 1
CASL Spartan Elite 1, Slammers 0
Colorado Storm 2, Connecticut FC 1
Real Colorado 2, Stars of Massachusetts 1

U17 White
VISTA Fury 1, Carmel United 0
Ohio Premier 1, SC Del Sol 0
Virginia Rush 2, Freestate Phoenix 2
FC Milwaukee 5, Ohio Elite 3