Jefferson Cup 2017 Championship Division Preview: U-19 Girls

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With the 2017 Jefferson Cup fast approaching, SoccerWire.com has started an article series previewing the top divisions for the showcase age groups. Continue reading for a look at the U-19 Girls Championship Division.

Jefferson Cup 2017 Championship Division Previews
Boys: U-15 | U-16 | U-17 | U-18
Girls: U-15 | U-16 | U-17 | U-18

Annandale United FC (VA)
Coach: Ann Germain

Reigning Virginia State Cup champion Annandale United FC returns to the top division of the Jefferson Cup as the team plays in the event one final time before going off to college. A longtime powerhouse in the age group, AUFC had an unblemished 5-0-0 record to finish at the top of the Region I Champions League U-17 Elite Red Division last spring, outscoring opponents 18-2. The unbeaten season included wins over US Youth Soccer National Champion Yardley Makefield Soccer 98 Xplosion and Maryland State Cup finalist SAC Premier Blue, among other high level teams from Pennsylvania, Virginia and New Jersey. Last summer, AUFC also advanced all the way to the semifinals of the 2016 US Club Soccer NPL Finals, the NPL’s national championship event in Aurora, Colorado. So far this season, Jisca Adigo is leading the team with three goals in US Youth Soccer National League play.

Beach FC 98 Red Fyre (VA)
Coach: Karl Greaves

A dominant force in Virginia’s Tidewater region, Beach FC 98 Red Fyre is a returning Jefferson Cup champion, having won the U-17 Superior Orange Division at the 2017 event. The team has also racked up division championships in showcase play at the Bethesda Premier Cup, WAGS Tournament, VA Beach Sun Cup and the Columbia Invitational Memorial Day Tournament over the past year. Beach FC finished at the top of the table in the Club Champions League during the 2015-2016 season, compiling an impressive 12-1-2 record.

Bethesda SC ECNL Impact 99 (MD)
Coach: Michele Rodriguez-Smith

Maryland side Bethesda SC Impact 99 advanced all the way to the U-17 North American League title match of the 2016 ECNL National Finals, finishing second in the prestigious competition. The team has had strong results in showcase play as well, winning a division championship at the Bethesda Premier Cup and placing third out of 12 teams in the 2016 Jefferson Cup U-17 Championship Division. Bethesda has split its first six ECNL Mid-Atlantic Conference matches this season, and recently had a strong showing at the ECNL Florida Showcase, earning two wins in three games.

Continental FC DELCO ECNL 98 (PA)
Coach: Keith Cappo

At the 2016 Jefferson Cup, Continental FC DELCO ECNL 98 finished at the top of the 12-team table in the U-17 Championship Division, posting a perfect 3-0-0 record while not allowing a single goal the entire weekend. Continental FC advanced to the 2016 ECNL National Finals in the U-17 North American League, and recently opened the 2016-2017 ECNL season by winning two of three games at the league’s Florida Showcase. After opening the event with a loss to Tampa Bay United, Continental FC rallied for 3-0 and 3-1 wins over Atlanta Fire and Texas side D’Feeters SC. The team’s talented roster includes U.S. Youth National Team forward/midfielder Alyssa Poarch.

FC Copa Academy 98/99 Black (NJ)
Coach: Roberto Aguas

Coming off New Jersey championships in both US Youth Soccer and US Club Soccer State Cups, FC Copa Academy 98/99 Black has established a legacy as a dominant force in the state and beyond. In addition to the two 2016 state titles, FC Copa earned second place finishes in the 2016 NPL Finals and the US Youth Soccer Region I Championships. The team also won division titles at the National Elite Women’s Soccer Showcase (NEWSS), EDP Open Cup and the EDP Cup Fall Showcase, and placed first in the EDP League’s 1st Division Central during the spring season. This season in the US Youth Soccer National League, Katarina Nilsson is tied for third among all U-19/20 players with five goals, while teammate Christina Rodgers is tied for fifth in the league with four goals. Copa recently finished the National League season with a 3-3-1 record, earning the third place spot in the Blue Division.

Lake Grove Newfield SC Tsunami (NY)
Coach: Frank Stagnitta

Eastern New York State Cup champion Lake Grove Newfield SC Tsunami has overpowered most of the competition it has faced over the last year, as the team has continued to add league and showcase division titles. The team completed an undefeated season in the EDP League’s 1st Division North last spring, going 5-0-2 while outscoring opponents 13-3. They have also earned first place finishes at the Needham Memorial Day Tournament, EDP Cup Spring Showcase, 38th Annual East Meadow Soccer Tournament and the Massapequa Winter College Showcase. Most recently Lake Grove Newfield SC placed second in the Disney Soccer Showcase’s U-19 Red Division.

LDC United Galaxy 98-99 (PA)
Coach: William Becher

US Youth Soccer Pennsylvania East State Cup finalist LDC United Galaxy 98-99 has played its way into the top bracket of the Jefferson Cup after three phenomenal performances at showcase events down the stretch in 2016. LDC United won division titles at three of the top tournaments in the Mid-Atlantic region, including the PA Classics Winter Showcase, Bethesda Premier Cup and the PA Classics Mid-Atlantic Cup. LDC earned a third place finish out of 12 teams in the U-17 Superior Black Division at the 2016 Jefferson Cup, winning two of three matches and outscoring opponents 8-4.

McLean Youth Soccer 98/99 ECNL (VA)
Coach: Cindi Harkes

Currently enjoying another strong season in ECNL league play, McLean Youth Soccer 98/99 has compiled a 6-3-4 record in the Mid-Atlantic Conference to position itself in third place in the Chesapeake Division, close behind CASL and Richmond United. The team is also on a serious roll in showcase action, having captured division championships at three of the region’s top events in 2016, including the Bethesda Premier Cup, OBGC Capital Cup and the Jefferson Cup. McLean finished tied at the top of the 12-team U-16 Elite Orange Division at last year’s Jeff Cup, posting an unbeaten 2-0-1 record and outscoring opponents 8-2.

Ohio Elite ECNL (OH)
Coach: Doug Bracken

ECNL Mid-Atlantic Conference side Ohio Elite placed second in the league’s Ohio Valley a season ago, and only a few matches into the 2016-2017 campaign, has earned at least a point in three of its first four conference games. At the ECNL Florida Showcase held in December, Ohio Elite earned shutouts against two of its three opponents. The team also finished at the top of its bracket at the 2016 Ohio Elite Girls College Showcase, going 2-1-0 at the event hosted by its home club.

PDA Blues 98/99 NPL (NJ)
Coach: Glenn Crooks

Representing one of the nation’s top overall clubs, PDA Blues 98/99 NPL will look to build on a strong performance at the 2016 Jefferson Cup, when the team allowed just two goals over the course of three games in the U-17 Elite Black Division. Since then, the Blues have gone on to finish at the top of their bracket at the National Elite Women’s Soccer Showcase, earnings wins over two other top Tri-State area sides, Eastern New York’s Massapequa SC NPL 99 and New Jersey’s SJA FC 99.

Penn Fusion SA 98 ECNL (PA)
Coach: Craig Scangarella

After finishing third in the ECNL Northeast Conference’s Metro Division last season, Penn Fusion SA 98 is poised for another productive run as the 2017 ECNL schedule get underway. The team won its ECNL season-opener 3-1 over FC Bucks, and recently got some extra work at the Disney Soccer Showcase, leading into the spring. Penn Fusion’s talented roster includes U.S. Youth National Team midfielders Rachael Dorwart and Sydney Zandi.

Richmond United 98/99 ECNL (VA)
Coach: Rob Ukrop

On the tail end of another winning season in the ECNL Mid-Atlantic Conference, Richmond United has compiled a 7-5-1 record while climbing to second place in the Chesapeake Division. One of the top scoring teams in the conference, Richmond United racked up 25 goals through its first 13 matches, the second-most out of all the teams in the Chesapeake Division. United’s potent attack includes U.S. Youth National Team players McKinley Burkett and Paige Franks.