Preliminary games continue at US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup
Preliminary Games – Day 2 of 3
Schedule, Scores and Standings | Team Information | Video
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (Via US Youth Soccer) – The 2015 US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup continued in Overland Park, Kan. with the 40 Under-13 through Under-17 Boys and Girls teams taking the field for the second day of play at Scheels Overland Park Soccer Complex.
The tournament, which features US Youth Soccer teams from 21 different State Associations, will continue with preliminary games through Saturday, July 11. Consolation and championship matches will take place on Sunday, July 12.
For Mike Menendez, head coach of Under-16 Girls team Missouri Rush SC Nero-Menendez (MO), the National Presidents Cup is a second chance, and this year his team is determined to get the crown.
“We lost in the finals of Region II Presidents Cup last year in penalty kicks and my speech afterward was, ‘Girls … next year is our year.’ I’ve been repeating that since then,” said Menendez.
Under-16 Girls Missouri Rush is holding true to that statement, winning all tournament matches at Region II Presidents Cup this year – including a win by penalty kicks in the final – and continuing their successful streak after two days of preliminary play at National Presidents Cup.
“This is our year,” said Menendez. “So far it’s happening, but we still have work to do. When you get to a national competition, to the last four games, you know it’s going to be tough until the end.”
For more information on the US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup, visit www.USYouthSoccer.org/
Match Highlights:
Under-13 Boys: Anaheim FC 01 (CA-S) 1–0 PWSI COURAGE 01 WHITE (VA)
Anaheim FC 01 (CA-S) bounced back from their loss yesterday with a 1-0 win against PWSI Courage 01 White (VA). Forward Alexis Benavidez gave Anaheim an early lead, scoring in the 12th minute. Anaheim FC’s backline protected the lone goal for the victory and the win pushed Anaheim up to second place in the Under-13 Boys standings.
Under-14 Boys: Players Elite AP (NV) 2–0 PDA ROSSI (NJ)
Players Elite AP (NV) got their second straight shutout defeating Under-14 Boys PDA ROSSI (NJ) 2-0. After maintaining possession most of the first half, Players Elite got the lead in the 30th minute when David Herrera launched the ball from about 30 yards out and soared it over the keeper and into the net. Anthony Kaskie doubled the Players Elite score in the 55th minute.
Under-15 Boys: UIFC Panthers (CA-S) 2–0 Olney Rangers White (MD)
A Rodrigo Saldana brace gave UIFC Panthers (CA-S) a 2-0 win versus Olney Rangers White (MD). Forward Saldana scored a goal in each half – in the 31st and 61st minute. The win pushes them one step closer to the Under-15 Boys championship as they remain undefeated after today’s win and yesterday’s scoreless draw.
Under-16 Boys: PacNW 98 Blue (WA) 2–0 VSA Heat 98 Blue (VA)
Two first half goals gave Under-16 Boys PacNW 98 Blue (WA) a 2-0 victory versus VSA Heat 98 Blue (VA). Within seconds after the starting whistle, forward Thomas Spratt put PacNW up one, and Kasey Cowell added a second Washington goal in the 33rd minute. VSA Heat tried to get on the board in the second half but PacNW’s fierce defense maintained the shutout.
Under-17 Boys: ASA Black Hawks (MD) 2-0 Legacy FC (CA-S)
ASA Black Hawks (MD) continue to go strong. Today the Under-17 Boys team got a 2-0 win versus Legacy FC (CA-S). As they did in yesterday’s ASA win, forwards Fabian Castillo and Lovet Cheg continued to get goals, scoring in the 21st and 60th minutes respectively.
Under-13 Girls: SMUFC 01 (CA-S) 3–2 North Union United 01 Lady Cannons (PA-E)
SMUFC 01 (CA-S) took the top of the Under-13 Girls standings after winning a close 3–2 match versus North Union United 01 Lady Cannons (PA-E). SMUFC started the match down 1-0 after North Union’s Erin Tompkins scored swiftly in the 8th minute. Giulia Trevellin recovered for SMUFC ten minutes later bringing the match to a 1-1 tie at halftime. Tupelo Sullivan gave SMUFC the lead in the 44th minute and Giulia Trevellin found her second goal in the 53rd minute. Paige Temple added a second goal for North Union in the 63rd minute but the team could not find the equalizer giving SMUFC their second win.
Under-14 Girls: Souderton Stingers (PA-E) 2-1 Leahi 01 Premier (HI)
Souderton Stingers (PA-E) got the sole Under-14 Girls win of the day beating Leahi 01 Premier (HI) 2-1 in a competitive match. Souderton’s Alison Trick scored her second goal of the tournament within six minutes after the starting whistle blew. Hannah Cabral found the equalizer for Leahi Premier in the 20th minute, but Souderton took the win in the second half when Maria DeAviz scored in the 53rd minute.
Under-15 Girls: Eclipse Elite White (IL) 1–0 Greeneville Galaxy Select (TN)
Eclipse Elite White (IL) took the top of the standings after being the only Under-15 Girls to get two straight wins. After a close first half in their match against Greeneville Galaxy Select (TN) today, Hannah Morway found the back of the net in the 65th minute for Eclipse Elite’s six points.
Under-16 Girls: Missouri Rush SC Nero-Menendez (MO) 2–0 LA Fire Navy (LA)
Missouri Rush SC Nero-Menendez (MO) took the top of the Under-16 Girls standings after defeating LA Fire Navy (LA) 2-0. In the 46th minute, Missouri Rush’s Kirsten Lepping got an opportunity and took a power shot but it deflected off the top crossbar. Acting quickly, she followed her shot and slammed it in for the lead. Minutes after, an own goal occurred in favor of Missouri Rush which ultimately gave them a 2-0 victory.
Under-17 Girls: Washington Timbers 97 Green (WA) 1–0 HV Pride (PA-E)
After two round robin matches, Washington Timbers 97 Green (WA) takes the top of the Under-17 Girls standings. Their 1-0 win versus HV Pride (PA-E) saw a quick first half goal in the 6th minute by Alex Sanders. Washington’s offense ran the ball up the right flank and crossed it, and Sanders slammed it in for the game winner. Washington came close to losing the lead after an HV Pride penalty kick chance in the first half, but the Timbers’ keeper protected the net, and the advantage, ultimately granting them the win.
To view all of Friday’s results, check out the schedule, standings and scores website.
