U.S. Youth Soccer Region III Championships semifinal schedule set

Quarterfinal matches brought plenty of emotion and drama to the Region III (South) Championships in Greenville, S.C.

Under-14 through Under-16 age groups played quarterfinal matchups Monday and winners will enjoy a day off today as they prepare for semifinals on Wednesday. Two games were decided in overtime, with 3 going to PKs to decide a winner.

Quarterfinal matches continue Tuesday, with U-17 and U-18 teams taking the field. Additionally, U-13 and U-19 age groups will play semifinal matches on Tuesday.

With a spot in the semifinals on the line, it was a good day to have won your preliminary pool. All four U-16 girls winning teams Monday had advanced at the top of their respective group. First up, OFC 96 (OK) tallied a 1-0 victory over West Florida Premier 95 Elite (FL). Baillie Miller netted the decisive goal in the 68^th minute.

Two Texas teams met up when Texans Red North (TX-N) and US Youth Soccer National League team AHFC 96 (TX-S) played on Monday. AHFC standout and youth national team player Michaela Abam played the hero as she struck in the 72^nd minute to lift her team to a 1-0 win.

FC Alliance 96 Black (TN) and 95 NCSF Elite (NC) battled back and forth Monday with a berth in the semis up for grabs. NCSF struck first thanks to an Anne Prendergast strike in the 30^th.  Jaoanda Parchman would level for FC Alliance just before half. Jessie Pardue put NCSF back up with the game winner in the 68^th minute.

Hometown team CESA 95 Premier (SC) battled TNFC 96 Impact (TN) to a scoreless first half. Savannah McCaskill broke the stalemate in the 61^st minute and Kathryn Jones added an insurance goal just 10 minutes later for the 2-0 victory.

SAA Real Madrid (FL) took a 1-0 lead over Brentwood 97 (TN) off a Sebastian Herran strike in the 36^th minute. Brentwood would level just before halftime, but the equalizer was trumped just on the other side of the halftime whistle as SAA combined for a goal in the 46^th minute. Allessandro Campoy added a third in the 66^th to claim a 3-1 win.

GSA Phoenix 97 (GA) earned a spot in the semifinals with a 2-0 win over 96 CASL (NC). Goals by Kofi Twumasi and Josef Samuel in the 13^th and 64^th minutes respectively lifted the Georgia state cup champs.

Emotions ran high as Lightning Strikers (AR) and OFC 97 (OK) took the field in a quarterfinal match. Jacob Tunney scored the lone goal in the game as he found net in the 66^th minute in a game that saw numerous cautions and one ejection.

South Texas state champs Lonestars 97 SAN (TX-S) scored an early goal against unbeaten West Pines United (FL) as Tristan Cavazos beat the high defensive line and slotted home the ball. A cohesive team effort and determined defending kept West Pines off the score sheet and secured the 1-0 victory.

Complete Monday Scores:

From Sunday’s action:

U-18 Girls 95 Concorde Fire Elite (GA) and OFC (OK) both had a slot secured in the quarterfinal round when they met Sunday. Myra Fisher gave Concorde an early lead as she found the net in the 2^nd minute. In response, OFC would rattle off four straight goals, including a Heidi Greeson double. Georgia pulled a goal back in the 74^th, but OFC went on to win 4-2.

NASA 12 Elite (GA) continued its regional title defense Sunday, needing a result against hometown rival United FA 94 Elite (GA) to control its own path into the quarterfinals. Brooke Theobald stepped up for her team, firing a goal in just the 4^th minute for NASA. Needing to stay sharp at both ends of the field, NASA held on for the 1-0 and top spot in the pool.

Winless on the week thus far, BRSC 95 Black (LA) and SCUFC 94 Elite) (SC) played for pride on their final day of regional competition. BRSC’s Annabell Simpson got her team on the board just after the opening whistle. Nicole Newton would double BRSC’s lead before Anna Westbrook pulled one back for South Carolina. Kassidy Zeringue netted an insurance goal for Louisiana and the game ended 3-1.

After a heartbreaking defeat in the 2011 regional final, Brentwood 94 Premier (TN) entered day three needing a result against Legends (AL) and some help from the other game in the pool to advance to the knock out rounds of the 2012 tournament. Brentwood certainly did its part, notching a convincing 5-0 victory, led by a Chesney White double.  The result launched Brentwood to the top of its pool and to a spot in the quarterfinals.

In U-16 boys pool play, 95 NCA Alliance (NC) came through with a critical win over 2011 regional finalist GSA 96 Phoenix Red (GA) to secure top spot in the pool as both teams move on to knock out stages. Brandon Millington scored the decisive goal for NCA in the 54^th minute.

Concorde Fire Elite (GA) secured a spot in the quarterfinals by keeping a clean sheet against Arkansas Comets (AR). Defense reigned supreme on the day as neither team was able to create threatening scoring chances. The draw marks the end of the road at the region championships for the Comets.

Needing a result to advance,Brentwood 95 Premier (TN) couldn’t capitalize in front of goal and had to settle for a 0-0 draw with OFC 96 (OK). This draw marked the third in as many games for Brentwood, and the second on the week for OFC.

After grinding out wins in the first two preliminary games, Jacksonville United FC exploded for six goals and an emphatic victory over Vestavia Steamers (AL). After two Jacksonville goals in the first 20 minutes, Joshua Castellanos scored another just before half. Jacksonville faces a tough quarterfinal matchup with GSA.

Complete Sunday Scores:

From Saturday’s action:

On day two of the championships, passion was on display as teams jockeyed for pool position in preparation for the last day of preliminary games. After more than 200 games in two days, several teams have secured slots in the quarterfinals while many others have everything to play for on day three of the tournament. Sunday games begin at 8:15 a.m. ET and continue throughout the day with the final matches beginning at 6:30 p.m.

In U-17 Boys pool play, West Pines United (FL) bounced back from a day one loss with a convincing win over HFC Blue (AL). Andres Payne started the scoring late in the first half as he slotted home a rebound. A Sergio Quintero double in the last 15 minutes of play and a Nicolas Souberville goal just before time ensured a 4-0 victory for West Pines.

Jacksonville United FC (FL) continued its winning ways this week with a 3-1 win over Eclipse 93 (S-TX). After finding the net seven times on day one, Eclipse was held to just one goal by Jacksonville United. Three different players lifted the Florida team, with Suneel Mudaliar, Adam Demetree and Christopher Azar all finding the net.

Georgia state champ and National League team Concorde Fire Elite notched its second win in as many days with a gritty 2-0 victory over BRSC/CSC Alliance (LA). Cameron Bean struck first in the 36^th minute and Max Poore added an insurance goal in the 79^th. Concorde Fire Elite has secured a spot in the quarterfinal round.

Looking to be the first Arkansas team to advance beyond the quarterfinals in regionals, Aztecas 95 (AR) earned a hard-fought draw versus 49 CFSC Breakers White (NC). On day one, Aztecas showed grit to come back and win from a 1-0 deficit. That same grit was on display as Aztecas and CFSC battled end-to-end on day two on the way to a 0-0 score line.

In the U-15 Girls bracket, after failing to score on the opening day, Challenge 97 (TX-S) found the net in just the second minute against NASA 15 Elite (GA) off the boot of Keely Abt. NASA would fight back and a goal by Kristian Leone brought the teams level in the 51^st. Less than 10 minutes later, Challenge 97’s Jaylen Hinckley scored what proved to be the game winner to secure a 2-1 win.

In the pool’s other game, Palm Beach Soccer Academy – Magic Jacks (FL) and SSA/WGFC United 97 Elite (GA) battled back and forth to a 2-2 draw. SSA struck first with a Donye Monroe goal in the 15^th. Jacqueline Byers equalized for Palm Beach in the 32^nd, before Dallas Weaver put SSA back in front just five minutes later. Sabrina Chung leveled the game yet again just two minutes in to the second half to keep Palm Beach atop the standings in pool A.

97 FC Alliance (TN) secured a place in the quarterfinal with a win over Canadian Valley FC 97 (OK). Two goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half, one by Bailey Williams and one by Delaney Griffin, set the Tennessee team up for victory. Canadian Valley pulled one back in the 63^rd, but it wasn’t enough as FC Alliance claimed a 2-1 win.

Red hot 97 Louisiana Fire (LA) cruised to victory over Auburn Thunder (AL) on day two. Leading scorer in the group Alexandra Thomas scored her second hat trick in two days to lift Louisiana. A Kassandra Gonzalez goal and Cadie Higginson double rounded out the scoring. Louisiana Fire and FC Alliance will play for seeding purposes on the final day of preliminary games as they will both move on to the knockout rounds of the tournament.

Seeking out future roster spots, numerous college coaches have registered for the Region III Championships. Year after year the coaches enjoy the level of performance and urgency that comes when the teams play for advancement in the National Championship Series.

Regional winners of the Under-14 through Under-19 brackets earn a berth to the 2012 US Youth Soccer National Championships in Rock Hill, S.C., July 25-29 at Manchester Meadows.

Complete Saturday Scores:

From Friday’s action:

Teams from all over the southern United States took to the field with pride representing their home states as the race for a national championship began in earnest. Only one 2011 regional champ, Florida Rush Nike U-18 Boys, started its title defense with a win on day one. Both Sting 97 (TX-N) and NASA 14 Elite (GA) started the week off with a 1-1 draw, while two-time defending regional champ Alpharetta Ambush Elite Red (GA) fell in defeat.

Some highlights from Friday’s games:

U-17 Girls

AHFC 95G (TX-S) v FC Alliance 95 Black (TN)
FC Alliance 95 Black (TN) took an early lead over AHFC 95 (TX-S) with a goal in the 19^th minute by Merritt Monger. That lead held until AHFC’s Haley Silverberg leveled the score in the 53^rd. Just two minutes later, FC Alliance regained the lead on a Laura Stewart strike. Late heroics bought AHFC level again as Madeline Nichols scored just before the final whistle for a 2-2 tie.

SSA Central 95 Elite (GA) v NWA Lightning Strikers (AR)
SSA Central 95 Elite (GA) was full of goals on day one of the Region III Championships as they faced NWA Lightning Strikers (AR). Nicole Polk scored in the 5^th and 87^th minutes to bookend the scoring, with Baley Jackson, Maggie Gaughan and Rachel VanHorn also finding the net for SSA. Taylor Estrada scored the lone Arkansas goal on the day.

94 NC Fusion Elite (NC) v 95 Lady Lobos (TN)
Four different players found the net for 94 NC Fusion Elite (NC) to lift the team to a 4-0 victory over the 95 Lady Lobos (TN). Victoria Andreski started the scoring in the 16^th minute with Anna Naples and Claudia Ausley also adding first-half goals. Carolina Sherwood tallied a goal in the 83^rd minute to end the game at 4-0.

CFK 95 Black (FL) v 95 Louisiana Fire Red (LA)
In its first trip to regionals, CFK 95 Black (FL) earned a 1-0 victory over Louisiana Fire Red (LA). Paxton Sickler broke the nil-nil scoreline with a strike in the 66^th minute. CFK’s defense, anchored by keeper Meredith Gurnee, kept a clean sheet to ensure victory.

U-18 Boys

SCU/MP 93 Boys Elite (SC) v TSCH 94 Earle (OK)
Tulsa commit Christian Mata struck twice to lead TSC Hurricane to a 3-0 victory over SCU/MP 93 Elite (SC). To finish out the scoring tally, Anesuishe Raranje continued his scoring ways at the Region III Championships. After leading his team in goals in the 2011 edition of the tournament, Raranje started his 2012 scoring with a strike in the 53^rd

BRSC 94 Black (LA) v SSA Central Elite 94 (GA)
BRSC 94 Black (LA) got an early goal from Rusty Guilbeau just 10 minutes into its game against SSA Central Elite 94 (GA). Caleb Mcreynolds added an insurance goal in the 51^st for BRSC. That goal proved meaningful as Coleman Parks found the net in the 79^th for SSA. That was as close as SSA would get as the game ended 2-1 in favor of BRSC.

Florida Rush Nike (FL) v Vestavia Steamers 94 (AL)
Florida Rush Nike (FL) started its regional title defense off with a 1-0 win over Vestavia Steamers (AL). Felipe Oliveira scored the lone goal in the 7^th minute off a combination play with fellow striker Jean Rivaroli. Oliveira’s strike held as the game winner for a 1-0 victory.

93 CUFC Charolotte United Gold (NC) v West Pines United FC Black 93/94 (FL)
West Pines United FC Black (FL) took an early lead over 93 CUFC Charlotte United Gold (NC) with a goal in the 7^th minute. With determined play at both ends, CUFC netted an equalizer by Patrick Nero in the 77^th minute. Both teams move into day two of preliminary games with a point each after the 1-1 tie.

Complete Friday scores:

Girls Scores

Boys Scores

The top 200 US Youth Soccer boys and girls teams from the 12 State Associations that make up US Youth Soccer Region III will compete for the 2012 regional title. Quarterfinals, semifinals and finals will be played June 18-21 at MeSA Soccer Complex.

The US Youth Soccer National Championships will consist of US Youth Soccer Regional Champions in the Under-14 through Under-19 Boys and Girls age groups as well as the US Youth Soccer National League qualifiers in the Under-15 through Under-17 Boys and Girls age groups to complete the field of 60 teams.

Highlights from day one:

Highlights from day two:

Highlights from day three:

Follow the moments:

http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org/regionIII

Scores and Standings | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube