Inaugural winners of DPL’s The SUMMIT Championship decided

LOS ANGELES, CA – The inaugural edition of THE SUMMIT hosted by the Development Player League (DPL) is in the books, as champions were crowned across the U13-U19 age groups.

The league’s cup-based event featured a true battle to find the best in each age group in the DPL. This inaugural event was held in Tampa Bay, Florida as six teams captured the first-ever SUMMIT Championship titles, and six more earned the honorable distinction of finalists in the event.

See below for a rundown of the top finishers in each SUMMIT CHAMPIONSHIP Division, along with winners from the Europa Cup Divisions.

G2010 – U13 SUMMIT CHAMPIONSHIP

Two big favorites heading into the event made their way to the final and left it all on the field in the DPL SUMMIT CHAMPIONS Bracket. Coming into the final Liverpool IA Socal swept aside Dallas Surf (2-0) and then faced local powerhouse Sunrise Sting. A real battle ended up in a 4-2 Liverpool victory but they were pushed all the way. On the other side of the bracket, Pinecrest Premier dispatched of both Triangle Utd and Rhode Island Surf in close games both ending up 3-2. The final was strongly contested and Pinecrest fell short in a 2-0 loss. Liverpool IA Socal showing their prowess in front of goal and strength of defense. Both of these squads will look to the DPL National Finals in Cincy as their new big challenge.

In the DPL EUROPA SUMMIT Bracket Elk Grove took care of business beating Albion SC Idaho in the final. Elk Grove beat Central Washington Sounders (4-1), NEFC NS (2-1) before a narrow 1-0 game them the trophy. Albion Idaho had shown their quality leading up to the final betaing AZSC (3-1), Central Coast Academy (1-0) and will be looking to build on their performances leading into playoffs.

G2009 – U14 SUMMIT CHAMPIONSHIP

The depth of this age group is frightening. Each game on the Journey to The Summit for both SD Force, 2022 National Champs and Tormenta from the Southeast conference was a challenge. SD Force put away Tophat and Sunrise Sting on their way to the final, with Tormenta beating tough foes Ginga FC and Walnut Creek Surf by fine margins. The Final would be battle with SD Force coming out on top with a 2-1 victory.

In the DPL SUMMIT EUROPA U14 bracket BC United beat Southwest Conference teams SDSC Surf (2-1) and Central Coast Academy (1-0) on the way to the Final vs. Inter Atlanta Blues. The Blues swept aside Florida teams Pinecrest (2-1) and West Florida Flames (3-1). The final saw BC United battle to a 3-0 win.

G2008 – U15 SUMMIT CHAMPIONSHIP

Pinecrest came into the event with a 12-0 record and laid the foundations for a Championship run early beating Blitz Academy 4-0 before swiping away the challenge from NEFC NS in an epic game finishing 5-3. Fellow pre-event favorite City SC were taken care of in a game full of quality (2-0). On the other side of the bracket Southern Soccer Academy showed grit and character beating New Mexico Rush 5-4, LA Surf (2-1) and Cape Coral (4-0). The final saw both teams go at it in a game full of transitions. Pinecrest finished their chances and ended up the champs in a 3-1 battle.

G2007 – U16 SUMMIT CHAMPIONSHIP

Southern Soccer Academy across the full event had some outstanding results and the U16’s were no different. Opening up against West Florida Flames Girls Academy Squad (2-1), before handling local team Pinecrest (2-0) and finishing bracket play and securing top spot by tying Cape Coral (3-3). Triangle United (11-1-4 heading into the event) started like a house on fire taking out West Florida Flames DPL, then narrowly beat City SC (1-0). The last bracket game saw them up against La Roca of the Mountain West Conference coming away with a 2-1 victory. The final was a great show of quality and full of excitement. SSA taking home the victory and the Summit Championship despite a valiant effort from Triangle Utd in a 3-2 win.

G2006 – U17 SUMMIT CHAMPIONSHIP

The Champs delivered. Prior to the event we had highlighted the task of wrestling the trophy away from Liverpool IA Socal and we questioned whether they could be knocked off their perch. Storming through the preliminary rounds against Orlando City Lake Nona, Cape Coral and then overcoming fellow Southwest powerhouse SD Force, Tophat lay in wait in the final. Tophat had a tougher run to get to the Championship game having to go through Santa Monica Surf (2-1, PKS), Sunrise Sting (2-1) and FC Tampa Rangers (2-0). Champions just know how to get the job done and Liverpool showed their quality in a tidy 3-0 victory to take the Championship home to SOCAL and place alongside their National Crown.

G2004/05 – U19 SUMMIT CHAMPIONSHIP

This Age group did not disappoint. Undefeated West Florida Flames were a pre-event favorite and scored 9 goals in their opening 3 games vs Orlando City Lake Nona (3-0), Rhode Island Surf (5-2) and City SC (1-0) to set up an epic battle in the Championship game. We told you to keep an eye out for La Roca (8-1-3) from the Mountain West who came into the event with big ambitions. 2-1 victories against Sunrise Sting and Santa Monica Surf brought them face to face with the West Florida Flames GA. La Roca didn’t look back and came away with a 1-0 win setting up the chance to play WFF’s DPL squad for the championship. West Florida Flames DPL are deep and they showed their strength in depth to win 3-1.