Jefferson Cup 2018 Championship Division Preview: U-15 Girls

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With the 2018 Jefferson Cup fast approaching, SoccerWire.com continues its article series previewing the top divisions for the showcase age groups. In this edition, we take a look at the teams that will be competing in the U-15 Girls Championship Division.

Group A

Alleycats 03 NPL (NY)
Coach: Lisa Cotter

Eastern New York’s Alleycats 03 NPL makes the jump to the Championship Division this year following a perfect run in the U-14 Classic Black Division at the 2017 Jefferson Cup. The team went on to complete an unbeaten season and a first place finish in the EDP League’s 1st Division North during the spring, racking up 31 goals – 15 more than any other team – over the course of the seven-game regular season. In recent showcase competition, Alleycats 03 has claimed division titles at the FC DELCO Players Cup and EDP Cup Fall Showcase, and placed second in the National Elite Women’s Soccer Showcase.

Cleveland FC 03 (OH)
Coach: David Sidloski

Ohio North State Cup semifinalist Cleveland FC 03 returns to the Jefferson Cup after posting an undefeated 2-0-1 record in the U-14 Elite Orange bracket last year, narrowly missing a berth in the finals due to tiebreaker. The squad also finished as a semifinalist in the adidas Blue Chip Showcase and the FC DELCO Players Cup last spring. Cleveland FC closed out its 2017 showcase schedule with a first place finish in the top bracket of the prestigious Bethesda Premier Cup, culminating with a 2-1 victory over Virginia State Cup finalist Herndon Hurricanes Black.

+NCAA Women’s Soccer Commitment Announcements: January 2018

PDA 03 ECNL (NJ)
Coach: Larry Hart

ECNL powerhouse PDA 03 placed first in the league’s Northeast Conference at the U-14 level during the 2016-2017 season, and went on to finish second in their group at the ECNL National Finals. In total, the New Jersey club saw five teams qualify for the ECNL’s Champions League playoffs last season. The ’03s were one of four PDA teams to win the Northeast Conference in their age group. Class of 2021 defender Marcia Ojo and forward/midfielder Victoria Sarf are among the ‘players to watch’ in the ECNL’s season preview on PDA’s talented club.

BRYC Elite Academy ECNL (VA)
Coach: Mikey Welsh

Northern Virginia’s BRYC Elite Academy is currently the first place side in the ECNL’s Mid-Atlantic Conference with an 11-2-1 record, 45 goals scored and only 10 conceded. The BRYC defense has earned shutouts in eight of their 11 victories in league play, while Noelle O’Hara, Shay Montgomery and Avery Tharrington are just a few of BRYC’s top playmakers on the attacking side. The squad returns to the Jefferson Cup’s top bracket in 2018 after placing second in the U-14 Championship Division last year. 

Group B

South Shore Select AP (MA)
Coach: Driton Mustafosk

Reigning US Club Soccer NPL Finals national champion South Shore Select AP will aim to defend its title in the Jefferson Cup’s top flight. Before going on to win the national title, the Massachusetts side posted a perfect 4-0-0 record in the Jeff Cup’s U-14 Championship Division, culminating with a 3-1 win over BRYC in the final. U.S. Youth National Team players Allyson Sentnor and Lilly Reale helped lead the talented team through a dominant 2017 season, which also included championship runs at three GPS Showcase events, the CASL Girls Showcase, a first place finish in the New England NPL and a run to the US Club Soccer Massachusetts State Cup title match.

SUSA NPL 03 (NY)
Coach: Moussa Sy

Eastern New York’s SUSA NPL 03 joins the Jeff Cup’s Championship Division this spring following a busy and highly successful 2017 campaign. SUSA captured the New York NPL U-14 title during the spring season, and went on to advance all the way to the US Club Soccer NPL Finals national title match. In showcase competition, SUSA won division championships at the Manhattan SC Kick-Off Classic, FC DELCO Players Cup and the CASL Girls Showcase in 2017 as well, compiling victories against some of the nation’s top teams.

CSA Impact United 03 Nike Black (OH)
Coach: Marko Raduka

US Club Soccer Ohio State Cup champion and US Youth Soccer Ohio North State Cup finalist CSA Impact United 03 Black makes its debut in the Jefferson Cup Championship Division this spring. The team has earned its way into the Jeff Cup’s top flight with a run to the semifinals in the 2017 US Youth Soccer Region II Championships, along with first place finishes in the Ohio Elite Girls College Showcase and the Cincinnati Elite Spring Thaw Tournament. Victoria Copfer led the team with three goals at the 2017 US Youth Soccer Region II Championships.

Maryland United FC 03 ECNL (MD)
Coach: David Stockum

Alayna Lynchard is featured on the ECNL’s ‘players to watch‘ list heading into the season.