Energetic ECNL Boys National Selection Game in South Carolina yields 6 total goals

GREER – The best of the best were out in South Carolina on Friday night at MeSA Soccer Complex for the Continental Tire ECNL National Selection Game, as the East and West faced off. (ROSTERS)

The East grabbed the lead early in the 7th minute, as Victor Aguiniga (Beach FC) fired home a fantastic finish to make it 1-0.

“It’s an honor to be around all these great players and to have been able to score against them,” Aguiniga said. “I’m having a great time playing against them.”

The East took their 1-0 lead into the halftime break, but the West quickly knotted things up in the second half. Broden Beorlegui (Florida Premier FC) found himself open in front of goal and tapped in a great pass centered in front of goal to make it 1-1.

In the 64th minute, Beorlegui struck again, scoring a diving header off a rebound to give the West a 2-1 lead.

Just minutes later the East had the answer though. Brayden O’Boyle (SUSA FC) fired home a strike from the top of the box to knot things up again in the back and forth game.

The East continued to increase the pressure on the West defense and eventually it paid off with their third goal of the night, when Christian Samaripa (DKSC) fired in a laser to put the East back on top at 3-2.

The West pushed for an equalizer, but in stoppage time the East tacked on a fourth to secure the 4-2 win.

O’Boyle was named the Player of the Match after the game and said helping his team earn the victory was the most memorable part of a great night.

“I just wanted to help my team out in any way that I could,” O’Boyle said. “Helping earn the win is the best part of this experience, with all these new people I’ve met today.”

Cold weather and cold blooded. Congrats to Brayden O’Boyle of @susa_academy for being named the @ContinentalTire ECNL NSG Player of the Match! #ECNLSC pic.twitter.com/3mRroN2kvH

— ECNL Boys (@ECNLboys) December 7, 2024