ECNL Mid-Atlantic Conference Recap: April 22-23, 2017
With Spring Break over, the ECNL Mid-Atlantic Conference continued play with a full slate of matches this past weekend. Top spots in the Ohio Valley and Chesapeake Divisions across the age groups remain up for grabs, along with the coveted Champions League spots.
U-14
CASL (7-1-6, 27 points) held their lead for second place in the Chesapeake Division earning four points out of six on the weekend. Coach Sean Nahas’ side pulled out a close 1-0 victory over McLean Youth Soccer on Saturday at the WRAL Soccer Center. The Raleigh-based side followed that good home result up with a 0-0 draw on the road against FC Virginia (5-8-6, 21 points). Virginia meanwhile leaves the weekend with just two points having drawn 2-2 on Saturday against Richmond United.
In the Ohio Valley Division, Indiana Fire (8-2-4, 28 points) further cemented their hold on first with a victory over regional rival Maryland United FC by the score of 2-1. It was the Fire’s sixth consecutive victory and gives them a significant advantage heading into the season’s final series of matches.While the loss was certainly a setback for Maryland (10-6-3, 33 points) they ended the weekend on a high note, putting four past Ohio Elite Soccer Academy on Sunday.
Results
Saturday, April 22
CASL 1 – McLean Youth Soccer 0
Charlotte Soccer Academy 5 – Internationals SC 1
Indiana Fire 2 – Maryland United FC 1
Richmond United 2 – FC Virginia 2
Ohio Elite Soccer Academy – Bethesda SC
Sunday, April 23
CASL 0 – FC Virginia 0
Richmond United 2 – McLean Youth Soccer 0
Maryland United FC 4 – Ohio Elite Soccer Academy 0
Indiana Fire – Bethesda SC
NC Fusion – Internationals SC
U-15
Although the season may be winding down, Bethesda SC (3-5-2, 11 points) showed over the weekend that they were not packing their bags for the summer, pulling off two quality wins at home. On Saturday, the club bested Ohio Elite Soccer Academy (2-3-4, 10 points) 1-0 at Walter Johnson High School. They followed that result with another 1-0 effort on Sunday, this time taking down Indiana Fire Juniors (2-4-3, 9 points). The two shutouts by Bethesda were their first since a 0-0 draw with McLean Youth Soccer back on December 10, 2016.
The Fire did not have any better luck against Maryland United FC on Saturday, losing 2-0. It was a difficult series for the Fire, considering the club earned four of their nine points on the season in the previous weekend. As for MUFC, they nearly pulled off a six-point weekend, taking a 1-0 lead at home against Ohio Elite Soccer Academy. But Ohio squeaked out a point late to improve their record on the season to 2-3-4.
Results
Saturday, April 22
Maryland United FC 2 – Indiana Fire Juniors 0
Bethesda SC 1 – Ohio Elite Soccer Academy 0
Sunday, April 23
Bethesda SC 1 – Indiana Fire 0
Maryland United FC 1 – Ohio Elite Soccer Academy 1
Internationals SC – Ohio Premier SC
U-16
Maryland United FC (5-2-3, 18 points) further solidified their hold on first place in the Ohio Valley Divsion with a pair of victories against their regional foes over the weekend. On Saturday, United pulled off a strong 2-0 win over Indiana Fire Juniors (0-7-2, 2 points). MUFC would follow up that effort on Sunday with a 1-1 draw against second-place Ohio Elite Soccer Academy (5-3-1, 16 points). With three goals on the weekend, MUFC built on their narrow points-per game advantage over OESA (1.80 versus 1.78).
Ohio did not have much luck in their Saturday match as well, losing 2-1 to Bethesda SC (5-4-1, 16 points). On Sunday the Montgomery County based side defeated the Fire 3-0 at Walter Johnson High School. The pair of victories snapped a four game winless streak for Bethesda.
Results
Saturday April, 22
Maryland United FC 2 – Indiana Fire 0
Bethesda SC 2 – Ohio Elite Soccer Academy 1
Sunday April, 23
Maryland United FC 1 – Ohio Elite Soccer Academy 1
Bethesda SC 3 – Indiana Fire Juniors 0
Internationals SC 0 – Ohio Premier 2
U-17
With Bethesda SC nipping at their heels in the standings, the Indiana Fire proved that they are more than up for the challenge delivering a 3-0 in front of the home supporters. The Fire successfully held back the highest scoring side at the U-17 level with a clean sheet effort from goalkeeper Mackenzie Wood and the back line. Elsewhere in the Ohio Valley Division, Ohio Premier snatched a point on the road against Internationals SC on Sunday. The 1-1 result was their third consecutive draw on the road. With a test against the Fire next Saturday looming, earning a result was vital for OP in keeping their hold on first place.
Results
Saturday April, 22
Maryland United FC 2 – Indiana Fire 2
Bethesda SC 2 – Ohio Elite Soccer Academy 0
Sunday April, 23
Bethesda SC 0 – Indiana Fire 3
Maryland United FC 1 – Ohio Elite Soccer Academy 4
Internationals SC 1 – Ohio Premier 1
