New Jersey state champions, Region I Championship qualifiers decided
Bordentown, NJ (May 15, 2016) ― On a windy day that challenged teams skill and discipline, the top teams in the U-15 through U-18 age groups competed for the title of 2016 New Jersey State Champions.
Thirty-two teams entered the Saturday semifinal round, but only eight could leave Sunday with the privilege of being the champion of their respective age groups in the 2015-2016 NJ Youth Soccer National Championship Series.
These teams not only won the state championship, but also earn a chance to represent New Jersey against the best teams in Region I next month at the US Youth Soccer Regional Championships.
NJ YOUTH SOCCER NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES CHAMPIONS
U-15 Boys: STA Morris United
U-16 Boys: PDA Rooney
U-17 Boys: Matchfit Academy FC Black
U-18 Boys: Ironbound SC Premier Strikers
U-15 Girls: Princeton SA IGFA
U-16 Girls: Freehold Celtic
U-17 Girls: FC Copa Academy Celeste
U-18 Girls: Princeton SA Tigers
In addition to the families, friends and college coaches on hand, Sky Blue FC Assistant Coach Paul Greig and Head Coach Christy Holly watched games and congratulated players. “New Jersey has an unmatched history of developing female soccer stars and the tournament was a clear testimony to the continued strength of the youth game in our state,” said Holly.
Three current players on the Red Bulls II squad were also on hand this Sunday: Junior Flemmings, Vincent Bezecourt, and Konrad Plewa. Plewa, a New Jersey Youth Soccer alumni, former State Cup participant and 2014 graduate of Seton Hall University said, “It was great to come back to the tournament that I grew up playing in and see the best young soccer talent in New Jersey compete.”
Approximately 185,000 players across 10,000 teams from US Youth Soccer State Associations compete and showcase their skills against some of the best competition in the United States, however only eight teams across the age groups, including four girls and four boys teams, have the opportunity to advance to compete in the Regional Championship Series.
