Five Mountain Developmental League girls teams earn NPL Finals berths

CHARLESTON, S.C. (Via US Club Soccer) – Teams representing three clubs grabbed five spots from the Mountain Developmental League (Girls) to the 2016 NPL Finals. Girls teams within the league earn qualification based on regular season results. The boys side of the Mountain Developmental League will be determined through a postseason event in mid-June in Scottsdale, Ariz.

U-13 girls: Arizona Arsenal (AZ)
U-14 girls: Arizona Arsenal (AZ)
U-15 girls: Scottsdale Blackhawks (AZ)
U-16 girls: New Mexico Rush (NM)
U-17 girls: Scottsdale Blackhawks (AZ)

In the U-13 and U-14 divisions, Arizona Arsenal teams earned their NPL Finals qualifications by winning all of their respective games in shutout fashion.

+Read: NCAA Women’s Soccer Commitment Announcements – April 2016

The Blackhawks’ U-15 squad, meanwhile, clinched its age group with three wins and a tie. The same record determined the U-16 division in favor of New Mexico Rush. The closest race was in the U-17 age group with the Blackhawks grabbing the regular season title. The Blackhawks edged Rio Rapids SC (NM) by one point and third-place Arizona Arsenal by three.

The 2016 NPL Finals, open to U-13 through U-18 boys and girls age groups, will be held July 14-18 at Aurora Sports Park in Aurora, Colo. One of the most prestigious championships in the country, the NPL Finals features the champions of NPLs across the United States. Teams play several group games before advancing to knock-out rounds to determine the NPL national champion in every age group.