Loudoun Soccer sets club record, earns three State Cup titles

LEESBURG, VA (Via Loudoun Soccer) – For the first time in club history, Loudoun Soccer Club came away with three Virginia Youth Soccer Association State Cup titles as the Fall Cup competition came to a close on Sunday at the Virginia Soccer Training Center near Fredericksburg.

On the boys’ side, both ’99 Red and ’98 Red were crowned Champions, while on the girls’ side ’98 Red took home the top prize. All three matches were closely contested affairs against top competition in the new ‘Champions League’ format of the tournament.

“We are delighted at the success of our teams in this year’s State Cup”, said Darryl Gee, Loudoun Soccer Technical Director. “We are impressed with the quality nature in which they represented our club, our beliefs, and our passion for the game. It is a huge accomplishment to have three teams crowned champion – something that has never taken place in our Club’s history. We are very proud of our teams who not only represented Loudoun Soccer Club in the competition, but also those winning titles. On behalf of Loudoun Soccer Club, we congratulate them on their success.”

+Read: VA State Cup U15-U18 Boys: Loudoun, McLean, SOCA win titles

All three teams are now automatically entered at the U.S. Youth Soccer Region I Regional Tournament next summer as state representatives of Virginia in their age group with a chance to progress to Nationals, which takes place at the end of July 2016 in Texas.

“98B Red is delighted to have won back the State Cup title”, Coach Mark Ryan spoke on Tuesday. “The players overcame a lot of adversity in this run and we were delighted to come out ahead in the final. Over the last four-and-a-half-years, this team has won the State Cup 3 times and reached the final four 5 times – an amazing achievement. That level of consistency is derived from their character as well as from the amount of work they put in on the practice field. I am very proud of them all.”

99B Red came out champions for the second time in the past three years, this being the first time under Coach John O’Hara, who is in his second year with the team.

“I could not be happier with the boys’ performance over the weekend and during the whole State Cup tournament,” said Coach O’Hara. “We played against some great opponents and the boys rose to the challenge every weekend. I want to thank everyone involved with Loudoun Soccer Club for all the support and help they have given these boys over the year.”

+Read: VA State Cup U15-U18 Girls: Arlington, Vienna, Loudoun, BRYC win titles

98G Red became repeat champions, having reached this stage last year and once again overcoming a tough challenger.

Coach Randy May spoke highly of his team: “These girls have responded very well to a lot of change this season. From old faces leaving to new faces coming in, as well as a new competition format, I am extremely proud of how they’ve gone about handling their business. This Cup title is a huge accomplishment that speaks volumes about the character of these girls and the work they put in each day to win a competition such as this two years in a row.”

Teams now return their focus to their league competition before breaking for the winter holiday.