RECAP: ECNL Girls National Champions crowned as 2023-24 season ends in Richmond

The final days of the ECNL Girls Finals saw 10 National Champions crowned, with five ECNL Girls National Champions and five ECNL Girls Regional League National Champions claiming top honors.

Below is a recap of the U13-U17 ECNL Girls Champions League title matches:

U13 ECNL National Champions – San Diego Surf

San Diego Surf fell behind early in the second half when So Cal Blues grabbed a 1-0 lead off a great corner kick that was played to the back post and headed in. Surf battled their way back into the game though with a long distance strike that evened things up at 1-1. Late in the second half, Surf earned a penalty that was slotted home for the 2-1 lead, clinching the U13 ECNL National Championship.

U14 ECNL National Champions – Slammers FC HB Køge

Slammers FC HB Køge completed their run to the U14 ECNL National Championship with a 1-0 win over Legends FC. After winning their semifinal game over San Diego Surf 4-3, the National Champions proved not only could they win a high scoring battle, but they could also bring home a title through a strong defensive performance.

(RECAP: Five teams capture 2023-24 ECNL Girls Regional League titles)

U15 ECNL National Champions – San Diego Surf

San Diego Surf captured their third ECNL National Championship of the season with a 2-0 win over Kansas City Athletics. Surf and Kansas City were scoreless through a tightly contested first half, before a Surf shot that ricocheted off the crossbar in the second half led to Surf earning a penalty kick. Surf converted from the spot to make it 1-0 and then added on a second goal to secure the 2-0 victory.

U16 ECNL National Champions – Penn Fusion SA

It only took just over a minute for the goals to start flying in during the U16 ECNL National Championship. In the second minute, Kate Kemmerley fired home a loose ball inside the box to put Penn Fusion ahead 1-0 early. Crossfire responded in the 15th minute on a great header from Summer Murphy to knot things up at 1-1.

In the second half, Penn Fusion snatched the lead back in the 55th minute with great buildup play and a wonderful finish from Ava Pascarella to make it 2-1. Penn Fusion then extended their lead to 3-1 on a strike from outside the box by Dylan Steinberg. Crossfire cut the lead down to 3-2 in the 80th minute on a goal from Vienna Whipple, but in the end Penn Fusion hung on to claim the U16 ECNL National Championship.

Kemmerley, who was named the Player of the Match, said she was so proud of how her team played all season. “I’m so proud of my team, all the support, and all the coaches. This is a surreal experience.”

U17 ECNL National Champions – Beach FC

With an exceptional left footed finish from the top of the box, Avery Oder of Beach FC opened up the scoring in the U17 ECNL National Championship Game, putting Beach up 1-0 over Legends FC in the 29th minute of the match.

Just minutes later, Beach doubled their lead on an amazing individual effort from Mechal Green to make it 2-0. In the final minutes of the half, Beach tacked on a third from Skyla Wilkins to make it 3-0.

In the second half, Beach FC tacked on two more goals, with Oder and Wilkins each scoring their second of the game to seal up their National Championship victory with a 5-1 win.

“We came into this game with a great mentality to work for each other,” said Oder, who was named the Player of the Match following her two goal performance. “Getting to win a National Championship has been my dream. This is so incredible and I’m so grateful.”