Slammers FC HB Køge captures ECNL Girls U18/19 national championship

In the 2023 ECNL Girls U18/19 Champions League title match, Slammers FC HB Køge and Michigan Hawks took the field with their eyes set on lifting the ECNL National Championship trophy to conclude an outstanding season of competition.

In the opening 20 minutes both sides had some good chances, but largely were playing their way into the game, trying to not make any errors to give their opponent the early edge.

Slammers began to start controlling more of the play as the game continued to progress into the latter stages of the first half. That sustained run of play paid off in the 33rd minute, when Faith George was able to position herself in front of goal and get on the other end of a cross to make it 1-0 Slammers.

Slammers were able to hold off any Michigan Hawks chances in the remainder of the half and took their 1-0 lead into the halftime break.

(Players That Impressed: ECNL Girls 2023 National Playoffs)

In the second half, Slammers struck almost immediately to double their lead. Just seconds into the half, Slammers stole possession of the ball and created a two on one going the other way. A great pass was sent across to Maribel Flores who put home the finish to double the Slammers lead.

Throughout the second half, the Hawks had some opportunities, including a potential chance from a late free kick and an opportunity that went off the post, but the Slammers defense was suffocating throughout the game. Controlling large portions of possession and being able to defend all of what the Hawks threw at them, Slammers were able to hold their two goal advantage throughout the second half.

When the final whistle blew, the Slammers bench stormed out onto the field to celebrate with their teammates, as they stood alone as the 2023 U18/19 ECNL Girls National Champions.

After the game, Savannah King, who anchored the Slammers defense, talked about how she knew the defense had a tough job in front of them against a tough Michigan Hawks attack.

“I knew I had a job coming into this so I just made sure I executed it and we got the win.”

With Slammers on the field celebrating their championship, George discussed how much the win meant to her and how she has been dreaming of this moment.

“It means everything. It’s a family thing for me,” George said. “Stepping on this field, I knew I wanted to win it. This is something I’ve wanted to do my entire life. It’s a dream come true.”

“We’re just a dynasty and we’re going to keep racking them up,” King said.

With their fourth win in four games this week, the defending national champion SFC HB Køge 2007s have punched their ticket to Virginia for ECNL Finals next month. Great job and good luck!#slammersfc #sfchbkoge #sfchbk #ecnlgirls #ecnlplayoffs #ecnlfinals pic.twitter.com/iYzjhwLQwY

— Slammers Futbol Club (@slammersfc) June 30, 2023

Cup Winners

Thursday’s action also included the finals of the North American Cup, Showcase Cup A, and Showcase Cup B at both the U16 and U17 age groups. Below is a list of teams who lifted the trophies in each competition.

• U17 North American Cup Champions: Maryland United FC
• U17 Showcase Cup A Champions: SUSA FC
• U17 Showcase Cup B Champions: Tulsa SC
• U16 North American Cup Champions: Real Colorado National
• U16 Showcase Cup A Champions: Scorpions Soccer
• U16 Showcase Cup B Champions: Utah Royals FC-AZ