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Boys Jun 22, 2015

Group winners decided at US Youth Soccer Region III Championships

Preliminary Games, Day 3 of 3
Quarterfinal play begins on Monday

Scores and Standings 

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Via US Youth Soccer) — Sunday brought an end to exciting preliminary games at the 2015 US Youth Soccer Region III (South) Championships, which has taken place at the Burns Park Soccer Complex in North Little Rock, Ark., and surrounding locations. The chase for the Regional and National Championship continues for the 92 teams who have qualified to move on from their preliminary groups.

Monday will feature quarterfinal matches in the Under-14 through Under-16 age groups. The earliest games begin at 8:15 a.m. CT and continue throughout the day with the last matches kicking off at 1:30 p.m. All games will be played at Burns Park.

Five of the six returning 2014 Region III Champions are still alive in the hunt to defend their titles, and several new contenders are looking to finish the week with a ticket to Nationals in hand.

One of the fresh faces out to make a run at the title is Under-15 Girls South Carolina United FC 99 Elite, which won its group thanks to a 2-1 victory on Sunday. The hot start has made for an enjoyable first trip to Regionals for the team.

“It’s amazing. This kids have had a blast,” South Carolina coach Tomasz Kluszczynski said. “Just being three games away from the National Championships is a fantastic opportunity for these kids.

“They all want to play in college, and they’re just having a blast. We’ve seen a great amount of college coaches. Our club has six teams here that have stuck to what we’ve asked them to do. They’ve worked the entire year to be here, and now the benefits are coming out.”

While the Under-15 South Carolina United side had its place in the quarterfinals secured entering Sunday, several teams, like Lonestars 97 Red SAN (TX-S), needed wins to advance out of group play.

The South Texas side fought hard to claim a 3-1 win in the Under-18 Boys Group B that allowed it to jump into second place and earn a place in the quarterfinals. Lonestars co-captain Gerardo Ibanez said each player did his part on Sunday, and the team knows it has only accomplished part of its goal by advancing out of the group.

“I’m proud of how we did today and how we faced adversity,” Ibanez said. “I think it comes down to playing together. We have to play as one. We can’t be individuals out here because it takes a team to win the Regional Championship.”

Georgia and North Texas each have 15 teams advancing out of group play to lead all states, while Florida and Tennessee both have 11.

Regional winners of the Under-13 through Under-19 age groups earn a berth to the 2015 US Youth Soccer National Championships, which will be played July 21-26 at the Mohawk Soccer Complex in Tulsa, Okla.

The US Youth Soccer National Championships will consist of US Youth Soccer Regional Champions, as well as the US Youth Soccer National League qualifiers in the Under-14 through Under-18 Boys and Girls age groups to complete the field of 96 teams.

Some highlight’s from Sunday’s action…

The top spot in Under-15 Boys Group B was up for grabs Sunday when FC Dallas 2000 Premier (TX-N) met South Carolina United FC 99 Elite (SC). A physical first half left little space for the teams to operate, as the game went to halftime scoreless. Play began to open up in the second half, and FC Dallas took the lead when Guy Esquivel pounced on a rebound and hit his shot just under the bar. The Texas side doubled its advantage in the 70th minute after Jesus Castro squeezed his shot under the SCU keeper. The FC Dallas back line held the dangerous South Carolina attack in check, as it recorded the clean sheet to win the group.

Under-18 Girls Oklahoma FC 97 (OK) and Arkansas Comets 97 Premier (AR) entered Sunday tied for second in Group A and alive for a spot in the semifinals. After a scoreless first half-hour, McKenzie Dixon put the Comets in front with a 34th-minute strike. The local Arkansas side worked hard to preserve its advantage and managed to hold off OFC to earn a 1-0 victory. Even with the win, the Comets narrowly missed out on a semifinals berth, as AHFC 97 (TX-S), a 2-0 winner on Sunday, advanced via a tiebreaker.

A spot in the quarterfinals was on the line when Under-18 Boys Group B sides CESA 96 Premier (SC) and Lonestars 97 Red SAN (TX-S) met on Sunday. Lonestars needed a win in the matchup to overcome CESA’s advantage in the standings, and the Texas side started off well when John Mendoza found the back of the net in the 42nd minute. However, CESA came right back and leveled the score before half. The Lonestars’ keeper made a great diving stop on a powerful header, but his second save deflected to CESA’s Conor Mattern, who hit the open net to tie the game. The Texas side regained its advantage when Patricio Botello found the back of the net in the 60th minute. Lonestars added an insurance goal from Luis Espinar to cap a 3-1 win that helped it finish second in the group and move on to the quarterfinals.

“Having this opportunity is huge. We’ve been together for five or six years developing this particular team. For us, it means a lot,” Lonestars co-captain Miguel Velasquez said. “We’re playing some of the best teams in the nation. It’s a great chance for us to show what we’re capable of, and know we can be one of the very best in the U.S.”

Under-14 Girls 00 TFCA Alliance (NC) used a 2-0 win over Cajun Soccer Club Rage 01 (LA) on Sunday to advance to the quarterfinals as the second-place finisher in Group B. Little could separate the teams for much of the match, as the game went well into the second half in a scoreless tie. However, TFCA’s Macey Vanek broke the deadlock when she found the back of the net in the 52nd minute. Madison Myott added an insurance goal just before the final whistle, as TFCA recorded the 2-0 victory.

In the Under-15 Girls age group, South Carolina United FC 99 Elite (SC) won Group A with a 2-1 victory over second-place FC Alliance 00 (TN) on Sunday. A 19th-minute goal by Alliances’ Macy Lindsey put Tennessee in position to win the group, but South Carolina’s Megan Classer scored just before halftime to pull the teams even. South Carolina pressured the Alliance goal in the second half and if not for some great saves from the Tennessee keeper, along with help from the post, United could have taken a multiple goal lead. Brooke Power finally put South Carolina in front in the 72nd minute when she chipped the keeper — giving her side the 2-1 victory.

“We probably outshot them 20 to five. Their keeper was amazing,” South Carolina coach Tomasz Kluszczynski said. “I was really proud of our team because, despite the heat, we worked hard and scored some beautiful goals.”

Two-time defending Region III Champion Solar Chelsea Red 99 (TX-N) entered Sunday with just one point and in need of a win to advance out of a tight Under-16 Boys Group D. Solar had its hands full with group-leader 98 CASL Red (NC), as the game remained level for more than an hour of play. That changed in the 65th minute, as CASL’s Robert Conger found the back of the net with what proved to be the winning goal. The North Carolina side won the group, while VHSC 99 Black Steamers (AL) used a 2-1 win to jump from last to second and earn a spot in the quarterfinals.

A great game between Under-13 Boys sides Solar Chelsea 02 Red (TX-N) and Orlando City Pre Academy (FL) decided who finished atop Group B. The sides entered Sunday with two wins apiece and were very evenly matched throughout, with action going back and forth. Early in the second half, Ilean Castorena found the back of the net to put the North Texas side up, 1-0. Solar keeper Christopher Edwards made a sprawling save on an Orlando City indirect free kick from inside the box to maintain his team’s advantage. He later made another diving save on a dangerous free kick that proved to be vital, as Solar held on for the 1-0 victory.

Daily reports and complete results from the US Youth Soccer Region III Championships are available onhttp://championships.usyouthsoccer.org/regionIII/.

Follow the moments from the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series on Twitter and share the moments with us on Facebook and Instagram.

Sunday’s scores…

Under-13 Girls
NWA Lightning Strikers 02 AR 1 Fuel 02 LA 1
CESA 01 SC 0 TSC Hurricane 02 Parker OK 2
Albion Hurricanes 02 TX-S 2 United FA 02 Premier GA 0
CSA Charlotte SA Predator 01 NC 0 Sting 02 Higginbotham TX-N 0
VHSC Attack 02 Black AL 0 Creeks Krush Elite FL 4
MS Rush Premier MS 0 Tennessee SC 20 TN 1
Under-13 Boys
Bryson Park/KSA Premier GA 2 Celtic 02 Claros OK 0
Solar Chelsea 02 Red TX-N 1 Orlando City Pre Academy FL 0
02 LA Fire Red LA 0 Oklahoma FC 02 OK 1
Lonestars 02 Red TX-S 1 BUSA 02 Elite AL 2
Arkansas Comets 02 Black AR 1 Lobos Rush 02 Premier TN 3
SCUFC 01 Elite SC 0 01 CASL Academy Jrs. NC 0
Under-14 Girls
00 TFCA Alliance NC 2 Cajun Soccer Club Rage 01 LA 0
SSA Chelsea 01 Elite GA 2 South Carolina United FC 00 Elite SC 2
MFC Rush 01 Premier MS 0 Tophat 19 Gold GA 1
Sunrise Sting 00/01 FL 3 Solar Chelsea 01 Red TX-N 1
CCSC 00 Sol Black FL 6 AR Rush 01 Ladies Black AR 0
Challenge 02 TX-S 3 Tennessee SC 2019 TN 2
01 Lady Lobos Rush Premier TN 1 Dallas Kicks SC 01 TX-N 4
VHSC Attack 01 Black AL 0 OFC 01 Phillips OK 2
Under-14 Boys
SCU/MP 00 Elite SC 0 WSA 01 White OK 3
00 NCSF Elite NC 2 SMCSO MFC 01 Premier MS 1
MSC Lakers 00/01 LA 1 TSCH 01 Carreno OK 2
United FA 01 Premier GA 1 Tampa Bay United FL 1
Tennessee SC 19 TN 1 GSA 01 Premier GA 3
FC Dallas 01 TX-N 3 01 Lobos Rush Premier TN 0
Barcelona Texas Carrasco 00/01 TX-S 1 Houstonians 2001 TX-S 0
Vestavia Steamers 01 Black AL 1 Arkansas Comets 01 Premier AR 1
Under-15 Girls
Tennessee SC 18 TN 0 PTFC Lady Black NC 1
FC Alliance 00 TN 1 South Carolina United FC 99 Elite SC 2
Classics Elite 00 TX-S 4 NASA 18 Elite GA 2
Mighty Bluebirds Purple AR 1 MS Rush 00 Premier MS 1
Vestavia Attack 00 Black AL 0 Sting Central 00 Parker TX-N 6
MSC U15 Laker Elite Girls LA 0 Tophat 18 Gold GA 7
Solar Chelsea Elite 00 TX-N 2 TSCH 00 Umelo OK 1
Sunrise Sting 99/00 Black FL 4 SSC 99 Freedom SC 2
Under-15 Boys
FC Dallas 2000 Premier TX-N 2 South Carolina United FC 99 Elite SC 0
Bryson Park/KSA 00 Premier GA 4 Carolina Rapids Soccer Club NC 0
West Florida Flames 99 Elite FL 2 United FA 00 Premier GA 1
FC United 00 Blue MS 3 BUSA 00 Elite AL 2
Concorde Fire 99/00 GA 4 Arkansas Comets Red AR 2
Tennessee SC 18 TN 1 TSC Hurricane 00 Nsien OK 2
Dallas Texans 00 Red TX-N 1 CSA 00 Lobos Rush Premier TN 1
00 LA Fire Red LA 3 Texas United Gunners Black 00 TX-S 3
Under-16 Girls
Austin Texans 99 TX-S 1 NASA 17 Elite GA 3
Vestavia Attack 99 Black AL 1 FC Dallas 99 South Blue TX-N 3
Tophat 17 Gold GA 7 Tampa Bay United Premier 98 FL 0
SCU/MP 98 Elite SC 3 Sunrise Sting 98/99 FL 2
GCUFC 99 Girls MS 0 Oklahoma FC 99 OK 0
AR United 99 AR 0 99 Lady Lobos Rush Premier TN 1
TFCA Alliance NC 0 Tennessee SC 17 TN 2
CABOSA Shreveport United 99 Blue LA 0 FC Dallas 99 Premier TX-N 4
Under-16 Boys
Chattanooga CF Academy 99 Premier TN 0 Pinecrest Premier RM FL 1
Oklahoma FC 99 OK 3 Blitz 99 Bradford OK 1
Mighty Bluebirds Green AR 0 Houston Express TX-S 3
FC Florida 98 Elite White FL 1 FC Dallas Youth 99 Premier TX-N 2
99 Lobos Rush Premier TN 1 VHSC 99 Black Steamers AL 2
Concorde Fire Elite 98/99 GA 6 MFC Rush Premier MS 0
CESA 98 Premier SC 3 MSC Lakers 99 LA 0
Solar Chelsea Red 99 TX-N 0 98 CASL Red NC 1
Under-17 Girls
TFC United 98 MS 1 Classics Elite 98 TX-S 1
Carolina Rapids 97 Burgundy NC 2 Texas Spirit North TX-N 1
Oklahoma FC 98 OK 0 Tennessee SC 16 TN 3
South Carolina United FC 97 Elite SC 0 SSA Chelsea 98 Elite GA 3
Arkansas Comets 98 Premier AR 1 Florida Fire Juniors FL 4
Tampa Bay United 97 Premier FL 3 98 Lady Lobos Rush Premier TN 0
MSC Lakers 97/98 LA 2 Lonestars 98 Red TX-S 0
Huntsville FC 98 Blue AL 0 Tophat 16 Gold GA 7
Under-17 Boys
FC United 98 Blue MS 4 USC 98 Premier AL 1
CESA 97 Premier SC 3 AR Comets 98 AR 1
Leg-A-Z Caimans FL 2 Liverpool 98 Babel TX-N 3
Solar Chelsea 98 TX-N 0 Bryson Park/ KSA 98 Premier GA 3
Charlotte United FC Gold NC 1 Dynamos 98 Gold TX-S 2
Vestavia Steamers 98 Black AL 2 Mandeville Lakers 97/98 LA 3
FC Dallas 98 Premier TX-N 1 FC Alliance 98 Black TN 0
FC Tampa Rangers FL 0 TSCH 98 Nsien OK 4
Under-18 Girls
97 Louisiana Fire Navy LA 4 TSC Huricane 97 Killingsworth Red OK 1
TFC Alliance NC 4 Capital City Streaks 97 AL 3
FC Alliance 97 TNSL1 TN 2 AFC Lightning 97 Elite GA 0
AHFC 97 TX-S 2 Lonestar 97 Red TX-S 0
Brevard Soccer Alliance Blue FL 1 SCU/MP 96 Elite SC 1
Oklahoma FC 97 OK 0 Arkansas Comets 97 Premier AR 1
Under-18 Boys
CESA 96 Premier SC 1 Lonestars 97 Red SAN TX-S 3
South Carolina United FC 96 Elite SC 0 FC Dallas 97 Gold TX-N 3
Oklahoma FC 97 OK 2 Space Coast United FL 0
MFC Rush 97 Premier MS 4 Dallas Texans Red 97 TX-N 2
Tennessee SC 15 TN 2 Florida Rush FL 1
NWA Lightning Strikers 97 AR 0 Bryson Park/ KSA 97 Premier GA 9
BRSC/CSC Alliance 97 LA 3 Arkansas United AR 3
NASA 15 Elite GA 5 VHSC Steamers 97 AL 0
Under-19 Girls
Tampa Bay United Premier FL 2 TSCH Hurricane Bolding OK 0
BRSC 96 Alliance LA 1 AR United AR 1
Houston Express 96 TX-S 3 BUSA 96 AL 4
Under-19 Boys
SM Dallas Texans SA North 96/97 TX-S 2 Cajun Fire 96 LA 1
GSA 96 Premier GA 3 Dallas Texans 96 Red TX-N 0
FC Dallas 96 Premier TX-N 4 95 HFC Red NC 3
JFC 96/97 Elite FL 5 Comets 96 Classic AR 1
TSCH 96 Nsien OK 5 MS Rush 96 Premier MS 1

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