2012 ODP Girls Thanksgiving Interregional concludes in Florida
BOCA RATON, FLA. – The 2012 US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (US Youth Soccer ODP) Girls Thanksgiving Interregional concluded Friday at Spanish River Athletic Park in Boca Raton, Fla. with the 1997 and 1998 age groups.
Among the top leading goal scorers in the six-day tournament were Region II’s Elizabeth Bartel from the 1995 age group – who notched a hat trick on her first day of play – and Samantha Dewey from the 1997 age group who also successfully scored three goals. Region II also exceeded in standings, garnering ten wins in competitions across all age groups.
More than 60 college coaches participated in this year’s event, including U.S. Soccer Youth Technical Director April Heinrichs. Nearly 300 leading players in the Under-14 through Under-17 age groups from each of the four regions were exposed to national staff and collegiate coaches, and had the opportunity to demonstrate their playing abilities for selection to the next level of play.
As the girls conclude, the boys commence as the 2012 US Youth Soccer ODP Boys Thanksgiving Interregional kicked off, in the Grande Sports World Complex in Casa Grande, AZ for a three-day event.
US Youth Soccer ODP, the nation’s original player identification program, has continued its tradition of elite competition and player development for more than 30 years, claiming members of Major League Soccer and the Men’s and Women’s National Teams.
Highlights from Friday’s matches
1997 Girls: Region III v. Region I
The final day of the US Youth Soccer ODP Girls Thanksgiving Interregional started off with a Region III and Region I match up. Mimi Asom gave Region III the lead right before going into halftime, but Region I’s Sofia Griff leveled the match right at the start of the second half, resulting in a 1-1 draw.
1998 Girls: Region III v. Region I
The second game of the day ended in a stalemate, as Region III and Region I battled it out, not allowing either opposing team to get through their defense.
1997 Girls: Region IV v. Region II
Maya Piper and Samantha Dewey boosted their Region II team to a 2-0 win. Piper scored in the first half in the 17th minute, and Dewey got her third goal in the tournament in the 45th minute of the second half.
1998 Girls: Region IV v. Region II
The tournament concluded with a Region II win. Although Region II entered halftime with a scoreless draw, they came back in the second half and notched three goals for a 3-0 victory. Alia Martin scored immediately after entering the field in the second half, and her teammate Madeleine Lucas supplemented the score with two additional goals in the final ten minutes of play.
