West Team wins high-flying ECNL Boys National Selection Game in Phoenix

PHOENIX – The stars of the ECNL Boys were out in Phoenix on Friday night for the first ECNL Boys Continental Tire National Selection Game of the 2024-25 season.

In the 19th minute of the game the West jumped on top on a perfect ball played into the box by Bogich Milosevic (Chicago Magic) to Nico Golesis (Utah Avalanche) who finished it off for the first goal of the night to put the West up 1-0. Just five minutes later, Golesis found the back of the net again, this time on a long distance strike to double the West advantage.

“Both of the goals were a lot because of my teammates. Bogich took on two or three guys and just picked his head up and delivered a perfect ball that I was able to squeeze in,” Golesis said.

The East pulled one back in the 30th minute as Nicholas Garzino (MVLA SC) shot a ball across the face of goal that deflected into the back of the net, cutting the lead to 2-1.

In the second half, the East ramped up the pressure as they searched for the equalizer. The pressure paid off as they were awarded a penalty 15 minutes into the half which was converted by Devin Jenkins (Legends FC) to knot things up at 2-2.

In the 77th minute, the West grabbed the winner on a perfect ball played into the box on a free kick that was headed home by Christopher Sanchez (San Antonio City SC) to give the West the 3-2 edge.

The East pushed hard for a game tying goal to send the game to penalties, but in the final moments of the game Gage Lambert (Eastside FC) made a crucial stop for the West to help preserve the 3-2 win.

After the game, Nico Golesis was named the Player of the Match for his two goal performance that helped lead the way for the West.

“These guys are all class. We just met each other and I feel like I bonded with a couple of them. It’s just high level athletes, competing, people who want to win, and we weren’t going to come out of here with a loss,” Golesis said.

In a high-level game with so many other top players from around the country, Golesis also talked about how grateful he was for the opportunity, and how his club, Utah Avalanche, has helped give him every opportunity to be successful.

“It’s just the platform. The ECNL and my club, Utah Avalanche, have just given me every opportunity to improve if I want it. I’m blessed and grateful.”

“We weren’t going to come out of here with a loss.”

Say it with your chest Nico! 🗣️ Congrats to the @continentaltire Player of the Match! #ECNLPHX pic.twitter.com/3GiTXcWFjX

— ECNL Boys (@ECNLboys) November 16, 2024