Girls Academy crowns Tophat (U13) and Sockers FC (U19) as 2022-23 national champions

By Sean Maslin
SoccerWire Staff Writer

The Girls Academy U13 and U19 age groups wrapped up their 2022-23 season on Monday with Tophat 10 Gold and Sockers FC 04/05 earning National Championship honors at Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey.

The U-13 and U-19 age groups both started play on June 21st with Group Stage action. The top sixteen U-13 and U-19 Girls Academy teams from across the United States were split into four groups of four. The top side from each group moved on to the semifinal rounds, which were both held on June 25.

Here is a breakdown of each age group.

U13

In a tightly-contested final, Tophat 10 Gold defeated Lonestar SC 2-0 to finish in first place in the U-13 age group. Tophat had a superb run throughout the tournament, finishing first in Group A with a 3-0-0 record. They defeated FRAM SC 8-0 in their opener, followed by successive wins over Nationals SC Blue 3-1 and Cedar Stars Academy-Monmouth 5-1. In the semifinals they knocked off NEFC to book their spot in the finals.

Tophat’s Izzy York won the U13 Golden Boot award with a remarkable 13 goals over the course of the postseason, while her teammate Alex Kasow earned MVP honors.

Lonestar SC also had a strong run to the finals, although they did make things interesting towards the end of the Group Stage. After defeating Baltimore Armour 3-0 and Spokane Sounders 5-0 they ran into a bit of a speed bump on day three, falling short against a tough ANPBK Palm Beach Kicks side 3-1. The Texas based side, however did enough to advance to the semifinals where they bested Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals.

Congratulations to our well deserved winners of the U13 Awards!

MVP: Alex Kasow (@NTH_Tophat)
Golden Boot: Izzy York (@NTH_Tophat)
Golden Glove: Isabelle Sanchez (@LonestarSC) #GASummer pic.twitter.com/J6SrpLr4Oe

— Girls Academy (@GAcademyLeague) June 27, 2023

Lonestar goalkeeper Isabelle Sanchez earned the Golden Glove Award for the U13 age group, recording a pair of clean sheets while and with her back line to slow down some of the league’s top offenses.

Despite falling short in the semifinals, Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals had a solid showing in New Jersey, winning Group B and going undefeated (3-0-0). They defeated St. Louis Development Academy 2-1, Rio Rapids Soccer Club 6-1, and City SC San Diego 3-0.

Rounding out the top four in the U-13 age group is NEFC, who won all three matches in Group D. They started Group Play with a pair of close results, narrowly getting past Broomfield Soccer Club (2-1) and Cincinnati United (3-2). In their Group D finale, they left little to chance putting six past Almaeden FC Breakers FC to earn the 6-1 win.

Tophat Gold are also taking home the gold!! ?

Congratulations to @NTH_Tophat on winning the U13 National Championship! ?#GASummer pic.twitter.com/NIvoTSzZaL

— Girls Academy (@GAcademyLeague) June 26, 2023

U19 

In the finals, Sockers FC outlasted TSJ FC Virginia 1-0 to earn their GA National Championship. Their strong defensive work was on full display throughout the course of the tournament, allowing just one goal in Group C play. Their 1-0 wins over LA Surf 05 and Syracuse Development Academy 04/05 bookended a 4-1 win over NEFC 04/05. In the semifinals, they pulled through against Group A Tophat 04/05 2-1.

Sockers FC midfielder Olivia Chianelli (Mizzou 2023 commit) earned MVP honors in the U19 division, as her playmaking abilities were on display throughout the postseason. Goalkeeper Allison Deardorff (Loyola Chicago 2023 commit) shined in net for Sockers FC, and was recognized with the Golden Glove award for the U19 age group.

Congratulations to all the incredible winners of our U19 Awards!

MVP: Olivia Chianelli (@SockersChicago)
Golden Boot: Viviana Pope (@TSJ_FCVirginia)
Golden Glove: Allison Deardorff (@SockersChicago)#GASummer pic.twitter.com/G9cBJg0qTb

— Girls Academy (@GAcademyLeague) June 27, 2023

TSJ FC Virginia 04/05 made their way to the finals after having defeated St. Louis Development Academy 4-0. Their defense was on point all weekend, having allowed just two goals in Group D play (3-0-0, 9 points). They defeated Tonka Fusion Elite 3-2 in their opener, but then earned successive clean sheets against Houston Dash YSC (3-0) and South Shore Select (2-0).

Virginia Tech 2024 commit Viviana Pope captured the Golden Boot award at the U19 level, representing TSJ FC Virginia.

Raise that ? @SockersChicago!!

Congratulations to Sockers FC on winning the U19 National Championship! ?#GASummer pic.twitter.com/YD2rWCCVUz

— Girls Academy (@GAcademyLeague) June 26, 2023

?Huge congrats to the #FCV U19 @GAcademyLeague team for finishing as the ?2023 #NationalFinalist ?Great job! #TheFutureisFCV #GASummer pic.twitter.com/6YSXzZqsrA

— FCV at The St. James (@TSJ_FCVirginia) June 27, 2023