US Youth Soccer Far West Regional Championships Day 2 Recap
Preliminary Games, Day 2 of 3
Scores & Standings
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HONOLULU (Via US Youth Soccer) — The 2018 US Youth Soccer Far West Regional Championships continued Tuesday at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex in Honolulu. More than 210 games have been completed, and tomorrow’s action will decide the 112 teams moving on to the quarterfinal round.
For the 19U Girls Hawaii Rush 00/99 (HI), the team didn’t have to travel far, but the girls are taking in the last games they have together.
“It’s a little treat for us because usually we have to travel, and the travel for us is a long haul. We’re glad to be home,” head coach Arian Hoxha said. “This year is a little more special because this year is [the team’s] last year. The girls are graduating, and they’re all going to college, so this is our last hoorah. We’re hoping that maybe this time, we could potentially get a trophy.”
+READ: US Youth Soccer Far West Regional Championships Day 1 Recap
Regional winners of the 13U through 19U age groups earn a berth to the 2018 US Youth Soccer National Championships, which will be played July 23-29 at the Toyota Soccer Center in Frisco, Texas.
The US Youth Soccer National Championships will consist of US Youth Soccer Regional Champions in the 13U through 19U Boys and Girls age groups, as well as the US Youth Soccer National League qualifiers in the 14U through 18U Boys and Girls age groups to complete the field of 96 teams.
Highlights from Tuesday:
13U Girls
Heat FC 05 (NV) came back from a one-goal deficit to defeat West Coast Wildkatz (CA-N), 2-1, in the 13U Girls age group. Heat FC brought on the shots early and nearly scored several times, but West Coast goalkeeper Isabella Gelao did her job and made several saves to keep the team in the game. West Coast capitalized on an opportunity after Kamiryn Braxton-Grimes fought for the ball and sent a through pass for Karlee Lywandowsky, who lofted the ball over the keeper. Heat FC came out of halftime, looking to get back into the game. The Nevada side continued to take its chances and send long shots to test West Coast’s Gelao. Heat FC was soon rewarded in the 47th minute when Andrea Leyva buried a goal, and just two minutes later, Milan Cordone’s goal stole the lead for the team to eventually claim the win.
14U Boys
In the 14U Boys age group, 4-H 04 FC Joga (OR) and Casa FC Internacional 2004 (CO) earned one point each for the day as the two teams tied, 1-1. Although the first half ended scoreless, there were plenty of shots to go around, and the pressure on both sides did not go unnoticed. Casa FC’s goalkeeper Daniel Rivero Enriquez played a massive role in the first half, making a few key saves. Efren Amaya nearly took the lead for Casa FC in the first half when he flew a shot from the top of the 18-yard box, but FC Joga goalkeeper Jesus Ramirez tipped the ball over the net. In the second half, both teams were able to get on the board with Casa FC scoring in the first minute of the second half thanks to a goal from Benjamin Aguilar. After some back-and-forth play, FC Joga’s Bryan Avina Cortez responded with a goal in the 58th minute.
15U Girls
With a 2-0 win over Rush 03 (HI), Pacific Northwest Soccer Club (WA) sits on top of its pool in the 15U Girls age group. Katelyn Sok put Pacific Northwest in the lead in the 10th minute as she placed the ball in the goal, and Madisen Rauch earned a little breathing room for the team with her goal in the 38th minute. While Pacific Northwest currently holds the first place spot in its pool, the Washington side will have to work hard on the last day of preliminary play as Hawks 03 Academy (CA-S) holds the same record of 1-0-1, and the only factor that differentiates the two teams in the standings is goal differential.
16U Boys
Rio Rapids SC Velocity 02 (NM) picked up a much needed 1-0 win against Sparta 02 Premier DM (UT) in order to stay in contention for a spot in the 16U Boys quarterfinals. The first half did not produce any goals as the game involved steady, even play. Just as Sparta began to string consecutive passes together and create chances for itself, Rio Rapids’ Marcus Garcia dribbled the ball down the right flank in a 1-v-1 battle with a Sparta defender. Near the end line, Garcia found the perfect moment to play the ball across the goal for Wesley Graham to redirect into the net. The 67th-minute goal turned out to be the game winner for Rio Rapids.
17U Girls
On the 17U Girls side, South Slammers FC 01 Elite (CA-S) and FC Boulder 01 Elite (CO) battled to a scoreless draw on the second day of group play. FC Boulder played the ball around and created quite a few plays near South Slammers’ goal, while South Slammers had its opportunities off of counter attacks. With the tie, FC Boulder still has a chance to qualify for the quarterfinals, and tomorrow’s game against HSC Bulls Academy 01 (HI) will play a huge factor as both teams hold 1-0-1 records.
18U Boys
18U Boys Eastside FC 00 Red (WA) picked up a 2-1 win over Pride Predators (CO). The Washington side gained the lead early with a Nozomu Nandate goal in the ninth minute of the match. It wasn’t until the end of the first half that Eastside doubled its lead as Charles Buttler put the ball in the goal. In the second half, while Eastside settled in and tried to maintain possession, Pride pushed forward. Pride cut into Eastside’s lead in the final minutes of match as Thad Dewing placed a free kick in the bottom right corner of the goal. Despite the Pride goal, Eastside walked away with the victory.
19U Girls
Hawaii Rush 00/99 (HI) defeated Players 99 Elite (NV), 3-0, for its second win of the event. Rush went up in the ninth minute thanks to a goal from Sharon Cain. Coming out of halftime, Rush looked to add more onto the goal tally, and the team did just that. In the 58th minute, Chardonnay Curran made a run down the middle of the 18-yard box and received a pass before she sent her strike to the bottom left corner of the goal. Karlee Manding made it a 3-0 game as she blasted a rocket of a shot to the near post from the top of the 18-yard box.
Daily reports and complete results from the US Youth Soccer Far West Regional Championships are available on championships.
