BATON ROUGE, La. (June 25, 2014) — Celebrations and emotions were on display Wednesday at the BREC Burbank-Soccer Complex in Baton Rouge, La., as four teams claimed 2014 US Youth Soccer Region III (South) Championships. By winning the title, the four teams — U-19 Girls SSA Chelsea 95 Elite (GA), U-13 Girls Dallas Kicks SC (N-TX), U-19 Boys Concorde Fire Elite (GA) and U-13 Boys GSA 01 Premier (GA) — have secured a spot in the prestigious US Youth Soccer National Championships, presented by the National Guard, which will be played July 22-27 in Germantown, Md.

“Winning the Region III Championships is just remarkable," said Dave Robinson, head coach of GSA 01 Premier (GA). “I’m really looking forward to heading to Maryland because this has always been a dream for the boys. This has always been a dream to me as a coach and my development. We are really looking forward to representing the state of Georgia in our endeavors.”

Finals Recaps

In a very competitive Under-19 Girls final, SSA Chelsea 95 Elite (GA) came away with a 1-0 overtime win against IMG Academy (FL) to claim the Region III title. Both teams put in stout defensive efforts during the 90 minutes of regulation to send the game to overtime in a scoreless tie. In the first overtime period, Carsen Taylor’s 102nd-minute blast from 20 yards out went off the fingertips of the lunging IMG keeper and found the side netting. That SSA goal proved to be the game-winner, as the Georgia side punched its ticket to the National Championships with the one-goal victory.

Dallas Kicks SC (N-TX) used a quick start to propel itself to a 3-1 victory over OFC 01 Phillips (OK) in the Under-13 Girls championship game. Jaida Thomas opened the scoring for Dallas in the seventh minute and Alliyah Marquez doubled the lead when she made a nice move around a defender before finding the back of the net. OFC pulled within a goal when Megan Nielsen gathered the ball in the box and beat the keeper. However, the Oklahoma side couldn’t produce an equalizer, and Thomas added an insurance goal in stoppage time to cap the 3-1 win for Dallas.

A Shaban Abousaud hat trick helped Concorde Fire Elite (GA) to a 3-1 victory over defending Region III Champion Team Boca (FL) to win the Under-19 Boys final. Abousaud scored twice in the first 20 minutes to help his side to a 2-0 halftime lead. Boca made it 2-1 shortly after the break when Juan Ocampo found the back of the net, but Abousaud netted a third goal in the 85th minute to seal the 3-1 win. Concorde will now have a chance to play for the James P. McGuire Cup — the oldest trophy in youth sports.

“The competition is a great standard, especially at U-19,” Concorde coach Steve Muccillo said. “There are accomplished college players that we are playing against. The weather in Baton Rouge was a big factor for all the teams here. It was very hot. We endured it and managed to find a way through, so we’re excited.”

A matchup of two talented Under-13 squads saw GSA 01 Premier (GA) defeat Tampa Bay United Premier 00 (FL) to claim the Region III Championship. Despite early GSA pressure, it was Tampa Bay that took the lead when Philip Spengler converted a penalty kick by placing his shot just past the diving keeper. GSA equalized shortly before halftime when Dylan Gaither’s cross to the back post was headed in by Josiah Ortiz. With only a few minute remaining in regulation, GSA’s Michael Mandujano found the back of the net to lift the Georgia side to a 2-1 win and give GSA a spot in the National Championships.

The Under-14 through Under-18 finals are now set, as 20 teams will play Thursday to earn the title of US Youth Soccer Region III Champion. Six defending US Youth Soccer Region III Champions have the opportunity to win back-to-back titles with victories on Thursday.

Semifinals Recaps

A strong second half helped defending Region III Champion 97 Louisiana Fire Navy (LA) secure a 4-1 victory over 97 Norcross Fury Premier (GA) and earn a spot in the Under-17 final. Norcross controlled the early portion of the game after taking a 12th minute lead on a Kelsey Carrier goal. That advantage lasted until the 52nd minute, when the Fire’s Alexandra Thomas leveled the game at 1. Kassandra Ortega put Louisiana in front just three minutes later, and Thomas added two more goals to help secure the 4-1 win.

Two-time defending Region III Champion Tennessee SC 16 (TN) will have a chance to defend its title after a convincing 5-0 Under-16 semifinal win over Concorde Fire Elite (GA). Maddison Falter started the scoring early for Tennessee when she made a speedy run through the center of the defense that ended with a strike into the back of the net. Salera Jordan and Sydney Hunt added goals late in the first half to give their side a 3-0 lead at the break. Olivia Doak continued the scoring for Tennessee, and Falter added her second to wrap up the victory — setting up a shot at a third straight title for Tennessee.

A strong defensive effort helped FC Dallas 96 Premier (N-TX) to a 1-0 victory over FC Florida 95 (FL) in the Under-18 Boys semifinals. Morgan Dizney netted the game’s lone goal when his 20th-minute effort beat the Florida keeper. Despite some pressure from FC Florida, the Dallas back line stood strong to record a clean sheet and send the Texas side to the final.

Regional winners of the Under-13 through Under-19 age groups earn a berth to the 2014 US Youth Soccer National Championships, presented by the National Guard, which will be played July 22-27 at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown, Md.

The US Youth Soccer National Championships will consist of US Youth Soccer Regional Champions, as well as the US Youth Soccer National League qualifiers in the Under-14 through Under-18 Boys and Girls age groups to complete the field of 96 teams. 

 

Complete scores from Wednesday’s action are below.

Under-13 Girls Final
Dallas Kicks SC	TX-N	SC	3	OFC 01 Phillips	OK	SC	1
KICKS: Jaida Thomas (7:00), Alliyah Marquez (16:00), Jaida Thomas (74:00); OFC: Megan Nielsen (26:00)
Under-13 Boys Final
GSA 01 Premier	GA	SC	2	Tampa Bay United Premier 00	FL	SC	1
GSA: Josiah Ortiz (34:00), Michael Mandujano (61:00); TBU: Philip Spengler (16:00)
Under-14 Girls Semifinals
Oklahoma Football Club 00	OK	SC	1	Ponte Vedra SC JFC STORM 99/00	FL	PLE1	3
OFC: AUBREY RUTTMAN (47:00); PV: Madison Sagas (7:00), Beverly Courtney (22:00), Beverly Courtney (35:00)
Sting 00 Flanagan	TX-N	PLW2	5	PTFC Lady Black	NC	SC	1
STING: Madeline Hansen (7:00), Caroline Simpson (13:00), McKenna Saul (16:00), Victoria Troop (22:00), Caroline Simpson (41:00); PTFC: TESS ALBERT (29:00)
Under-14 Boys Semifinals
United FA  00 Elite	GA	SC	2	Concorde Fire 99-00	GA	PLE2	0
UFA: Carlos Reyes (38:00), Alonzo Millsap (48:00)
Coral Gables Toros	FL	SC	0	INNER CITY MANA 00	TX-S	SC	1
MANA: Daniel Bernal (68:00)
Under-15 Girls Semifinals
98 PGSA Stars	NC	SC	0	Tophat 17 Gold	GA	PLE1	4
TH: Caroline Orman (31:00), Chloe Maize (55:00), Rachel Jones (79:00), Rachel Jones (80:00)
United FA 99 Elite	GA	SQ	2	Jacksonville FC 98-99 Elite	FL	SPL	5
UFA: Meagan Postell (27:00), Reagan Smith (34:00); JFC: Brogan Boudreaux (20:00), Katie Ralys (32:00), Leila Azari (54:00), Mikaela McGee (58:00), Lindsey Magee (65:00)
Under-15 Boys Semifinals
Solar Chelsea Red 99	TX-N	PLW1	4	OFC 99	OK	SC	1
SCR: Mandel Steward (19:00), Mandel Steward (33:00), Carlos Flores (43:00), Victor Garcia (52:00); OFC: Joshua Berney (7:00)
SAA Real Madrid Miami	FL	SC	4	GSA Force 99 White	TX-S	SC	3
SAA: David Cuitiva (34:00), Valentin Centurion (22:00), Valentin Centurion (57:00), David Cuitiva (80:00); GSA: Michael Chilton (32:00), Keiji Harper (67:00), Michael Chilton (74:00)
Under-16 Girls Semifinals
Tennessee SC 16	TN	SC	5	Concorde Fire Elite	GA	SQ	0
TN: Maddison Falter (4:00), Salera Jordan (38:00), Sydney Hunt (41:00), Olivia Doak (58:00), Maddison Falter (68:00)
Solar Chelsea Elite 98	TX-N	PLW1	1 (PK)	Tophat 16 Gold	GA	SPL	0
Under-16 Boys Semifinals
Houstonians FC 98 Red	TX-S	PLW1	1	GSA 98 Premier	GA	PLE1	0
HOU: Alex Calderon (75:00)
Sunrise Elite 97\98	FL	SC	4	FC Dallas 98 Premier	TX-N	SC	2
SUN: Samuel Buzzas (16:00), Michael Swift Jr (42:00), TAVISH RICE (38:00), Michael Swift Jr (80:00); FCD: Jesus Armendariz (40:00), Matthew Gonzalez (74:00)
Under-17 Girls Semifinals
97 Louisiana Fire Navy	LA	SPL	4	97 Norcross Fury Premier	GA	SC	1
LA: Alexandra Thomas (52:00), Kassandra Ortega (55:00), Alexandra Thomas (75:00), Alexandra Thomas (76:00); FURY: Kelsey Carrier (12:00)
GCUFC 97	MS	SC	1	Maitland 96/97 Fla. Krush Black	FL	SC	3
GC: Taylor N Brown (60:00);MAI: Stevie-Marie Mullins (55:00), Alana Hockenhull (76:00), Ruvimbo Mucherera (93:00)
Under-17 Boys Semifinals
OFC 97	OK	SC	1	NCA Alliance	NC	SC	2
OFC: Garrett McLaughlin (59:00); NCA: TEDDY PIERCE (18:00), RUBEN GARCIA-GOMEZ (59:00)
Boca United 96/97 Gold	FL	PLE1	0	FC Dallas Youth 97 Premier	TX-N	SC	1
FCD: Ivan Ulloa (47:00)
Under-18 Girls Semifinals
Oklahoma FC 96	OK	SC	1	Sting	TX-N	SC	3
OFC: Erin Eckart (90:00); STING: Sydney Kingston (9:00), Sydnie Dolzine (19:00), Sydney Kingston (24:00)
NASA 14 Elite	GA	SQ	2	Tophat 14 Gold	GA	SPL	3 (PK)
NASA: Leigh Purinton (66:00), Willough Davis (92:00); TH: Serenity Waters (12:00), Sanon Williams (100:00)
Under-18 Boys Semifinals
CESA 95 Premier	SC	PLE1	0	GSA 96 Premier	GA	SC	2
GSA: Rashid Alarape (42:00), Christopher Morgan (50:00)
FC Dallas 96 Premier	TX-N	SPL	1	FC Florida 95	FL	SC	0
FCD: Morgan Dizney (20:00)
Under-19 Girls Final
IMG Academy	FL	SC	0	SSA Chelsea 95 Elite	GA	SWC	1
Carsen Taylor (102:00)
Under-19 Boys Final
Concorde Fire Elite	GA	SC	3	Team Boca	FL	SC	1
CFE: Shaban Abousaud (9:00), Shaban Abousaud (18:00), Shaban Abousaud (85:00); BOCA: Juan Ocampo (53:00)