GREENVILLE, S.C. (June 17, 2012) – More than 200 teams began play at the US Youth Soccer Region III (South) Championships presented by National Guard, and Sunday the field was whittled to 96 quarterfinal teams. Sunday's games marked the third and final day of preliminary games and the sense of urgency was tangible as numerous teams were playing with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line. The conditions were ideal at MeSA and Wenwood Soccer Complexes, enabling the best youth soccer players to play their best when it counted. Dozens of college and national team coaches were on hand to witness the elevated play and evaluate players.

U-18 Girls 95 Concorde Fire Elite (GA) and OFC (OK) both had a slot secured in the quarterfinal round when they met Sunday. Myra Fisher gave Concorde an early lead as she found the net in the 2^nd minute. In response, OFC would rattle off four straight goals, including a Heidi Greeson double. Georgia pulled a goal back in the 74^th, but OFC went on to win 4-2.

NASA 12 Elite (GA) continued its regional title defense Sunday, needing a result against hometown rival United FA 94 Elite (GA) to control its own path into the quarterfinals. Brooke Theobald stepped up for her team, firing a goal in just the 4^th minute for NASA. Needing to stay sharp at both ends of the field, NASA held on for the 1-0 and top spot in the pool.

Winless on the week thus far, BRSC 95 Black (LA) and SCUFC 94 Elite) (SC) played for pride on their final day of regional competition. BRSC’s Annabell Simpson got her team on the board just after the opening whistle. Nicole Newton would double BRSC’s lead before Anna Westbrook pulled one back for South Carolina. Kassidy Zeringue netted an insurance goal for Louisiana and the game ended 3-1.

After a heartbreaking defeat in the 2011 regional final, Brentwood 94 Premier (TN) entered day three needing a result against Legends (AL) and some help from the other game in the pool to advance to the knock out rounds of the 2012 tournament. Brentwood certainly did its part, notching a convincing 5-0 victory, led by a Chesney White double.  The result launched Brentwood to the top of its pool and to a spot in the quarterfinals.

In U-16 boys pool play, 95 NCA Alliance (NC) came through with a critical win over 2011 regional finalist GSA 96 Phoenix Red (GA) to secure top spot in the pool as both teams move on to knock out stages. Brandon Millington scored the decisive goal for NCA in the 54^th minute.

Concorde Fire Elite (GA) secured a spot in the quarterfinals by keeping a clean sheet against Arkansas Comets (AR). Defense reigned supreme on the day as neither team was able to create threatening scoring chances. The draw marks the end of the road at the region championships for the Comets.

Needing a result to advance,Brentwood 95 Premier (TN)couldn’t capitalize in front of goal and had to settle for a 0-0 draw with OFC 96 (OK). This draw marked the third in as many games for Brentwood, and the second on the week for OFC.

After grinding out wins in the first two preliminary games, Jacksonville United FC exploded for six goals and an emphatic victory over Vestavia Steamers (AL). After two Jacksonville goals in the first 20 minutes, Joshua Castellanos scored another just before half. Jacksonville faces a touch quarterfinal matchup with GSA.  

Regional winners of the Under-14 through Under-19 brackets earn a berth to the 2012 US Youth Soccer National Championships in Rock Hill, S.C., July 25-29 at Manchester Meadows.

Complete Sunday Scores:

The top 200 US Youth Soccer boys and girls teams from the 12 State Associations that make up US Youth Soccer Region III will compete for the 2012 regional title. Preliminary games will be held June 15-17 with quarterfinals, semifinals and finals June 18-21. Most games will be played at the MeSA Soccer Complex in Greenville, S.C, with U-19 preliminary games taking place at Wenwood Soccer Complex nearby.

The US Youth Soccer National Championships will consist of US Youth Soccer Regional Champions in the Under-14 through Under-19 Boys and Girls age groups as well as the US Youth Soccer National League qualifiers in the Under-15 through Under-17 Boys and Girls age groups to complete the field of 60 teams. 

Daily reports and complete results from the tournament are available on http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org. Follow the moments from the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series on Twitter and share the moments with us on Facebook.

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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 National Championship Series provides top collegiate coaches with the premier stage to identify and scout the most coveted players in the country. For more information, visit http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org.

About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer) – US Youth Soccer - "The Game for ALL Kids!^?" is the largest youth sports organization in the country and largest member of the United States Soccer Federation, the governing body of soccer in the United States. US Youth Soccer registers more than 3 million players annually, ages 5 to 19, and over 900,000 administrators, coaches and volunteers in 55 member State Associations. US Youth Soccer programs provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game. For more information, visit www.USYouthSoccer.org.

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