ZAREPHATH, New Jersey – If the start was any indication of how the ECNL PDA Invitational Girls College Showcase will finish, we’re in for an exciting weekend of competition.

Here are some key matches and performances for Day one, as well as the up-to-date standings.

U17 Neusport FC Green 3, Bethesda SC 2

Despite managing three goals, Neusport captured this match on the strength of their defense. Fending off their final third for most of the match, Neusport FC held firm in all the critical 1v1 matchups to stay in the match.

Alyssa Kleiner, in particular, was picture of intensity. She’s a talented attacker with good height and athleticism, but it was the times where she had to drop back and help her team hold where she really shined and served as the difference in the outcome.

U17 Albertson SC Fury Premier 2, SC Del Sol Sting 93 1

Back and forth down the stretch, the Sting played a great through ball to Alexandra Doller who slipped behind the defense and beat the keeper to tie the game at 1-1.

But Karin Simonian wouldn’t let Albertson lose. The compact yet powerful striker, nailed the crossbar on a 30-yard shot attempt then she converted an even more impressive free kick that bent just enough to elude the goalkeeper for the game-winner.

U16 Crossfire Premier 3, CASL 0

The match was devoid of rhythm or action for long stretches, but Crossfire’s Maggie Pleis managed to stand out.

Pleis worked exceptionally hard on both ends of the field, coming up with a couple key deflections in the scoring zone, and scoring a late goal on a put-back in front of a congested net.

Her efforts helped the Crossfire grab a lead in the U16 Challenge A Standings after day one.

 

Click here for ECNL video highlights | Click here for more ECNL coverage

 

PDA Invitational Girls College Showcase Day One Standings

U15 Challenge A
PDA 1-0 (9 points), Arsenal FC 1-0 (9 points), FCV Virginia FCV Herndon Hotspur 1-0 (9 points), Ohio Premier Eagles Green 1-0 (8 points), FC Stars of Massachusetts United 0-0-1 (4 points), Sereno 95 Girls White 0-0-1 (4 points), Mustang SC Blast 0-1 (1 point), Bethesda SC Freedom 0-1 (1 point), ISC Strikers 0-1 (1 point), Crossfire Premier 0-1 (0 points).

U15 Challenge B
FC Delco Lightning 1-0 (10 points), Ohio Elite 1-0 (9 points), Soccerplus FC Eagles 1-0 (9 points), Pleasanton Rage 1-0 (8 points), Freestate Elite 94 0-0-1 (4 points), West Coast FC 0-0-1 (4 points), SC Del Sol 0-1 (3 points), Virginia Rush Nike 0-1 (1 point), Carolina Elite SA CESA 94 Premier 0-1 (0 points), Neusport FC 0-1 (0 points).

U16 Challenge A
Crossfire Premier 1-0 (10 points), FC Stars of Massachusetts 1-0 (9 points), Minnesota Thunder Academy 1-0 (9 points), Mustang SC Rampage 1-0 (8 points), PDA Charge 1-0 (8 points), Carolina Elite SA CESA 0-1 (1 point), Sereno 94 0-1 (1 point), West Coat FC 0-1 (0 points), Pleasanton Rage Premier 0-1 (0 points), CASL 93 Spartan Elite (0-1 (0 points).

U16 Challenge B
Connecticut FC CFC United 1-0 (10 points), FC Virginia 1-0 (10 points), Ohio Elite 1-0 (10 points), SC Del Sol 1-0 (8 points), Soccerplus FC Eagles 1-0 (8 points), Ohio Premier Eagles 0-0-1 (4 points), Virginia Rush 0-0-1 (4 points), Bethesda SC 0-1 (1 point), Irvine Strikers SC 0-1 (0 point), FC Bucks Xtreme 0-1 (0 point), Freestate Fury 0-1 (0 point), Neusport FC 94 0-1 (0 point).

U17 Challenge A
Ohio Elite 1-0 (9 points), Arsenal FC 1-0 (9 points), Neusport FC 93 1-0 (9 points), Connecticut FC 0-1 (3 points), Bethesda SC Dragons 0-1 (2 points), ISC Strikers Premier 0-1 (1 point).

U17 Challenge B
Minnesota Thunder 1-0 (9 points), Soccerplus CT 1-0 (9 points), Albertson SC Fury 1-0 (8 points), FC Virginia 1-0 (8 points), Crossfire Premier 1-0 (8 points), Freestate Soccer Alliance 0-1 (2 points), FC Delco Fire 0-1 (1 point), SC Del Sol Sting 0-1 (1 point), Carolina Elite SA 0-1 (1 point), Sereno 93 0-1 (1 point).