US Youth Soccer Eastern Presidents Cup champions crowned

Schedule, Standings and Scores
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WEST VIRGINIA — The 2019 US Youth Soccer Eastern Presidents Cup came to an exciting conclusion on Tuesday in West Virginia. 

The five-day event, which kicked off June 14, crowned 14 champions, 12 of which also secured berths in the 2019 US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup, which will be played from July 10-14 at the Richard Siegel Soccer Complex in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Eastern Pennsylvania led the way with four champions. They were followed by Virginia with three. Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania West each had two champions. Host, West Virginia, had one champion.

Highlights from Tuesday:

12U Girls
After winning, 1-0, over Premier Soccer Club 12U Girls Gold (MD), Empire FC (WV) won the 12U Girls title. They are the first West Virginia team to ever win an East Regional Presidents Cup. Ciara McDonald wasted no time as she scored the only goal of the match in the third minute. Empire was able to play tight defense and hold off the push from Premier to claim the championship.

12U Boys
Burke Athletic Club United (VA) claimed the 12U Boys title after posting a shutout against Southern Chester County Dragons (PA-E). The teams went scoreless in the first half as both teams fought for the first goal. Matthew Hendrickson scored the lone goal of the game five minutes into the second half as Burke was able to hold on to the narrow lead.

13U Girls
Century V West (PA-W) and SAC Premier White (MD) needed extra time to decide the 13U Girls champions after neither team was able to score in regulation. The game went to extra time, but no team found the back of the net to send the game to kicks from the mark to decide the champion. Century pulled out the win, 3-2, in kicks from the mark to win the title.

13U Boys
An early goal in the title game by Pipeline SC 2006 Boys Black (MD) won the 13U Boys crown over Victory Express 2006 Thunder (PA-W). In a low scoring affair that saw a final score of 1-0, the lone goal came from Nathan Toland eight minutes in. Pipeline was able to hold on to the one goal lead for 62 minutes to earn the win and a place at the National Presidents Cup.

14U Girls
A 2-0 shutout for Century V East 05G (PA-W) over STA 2005 (NJ) earned them the title of 14U Girls champions. After both teams went scoreless in the first half, Ella Shorkey fired one passed the keeper in the 56th minute. Irene Delano extended the lead to two with a goal six minutes later.

14U Boys
In tightly contested 14U Boys title game, Ukrainian Nationals Boys 05 Red (PA-E) topped Premier Soccer Club Navy 05 Boys (MD). Ukrainian won in nail-biting fashion with a one goal shutout. The lone goal of the game came from Riley Martin in the 53rd minute for his sixth goal of the tournament, putting him first among 14U Boys.

15U Girls
Valley SC Voodoo (PA-E) posted a three-nil score in the title match against Wethersfield Breakers (CT). Sarah Fisher scored twice for Valley with goals in the 36th minute and 79th minute. Fisher scored six goals in the tournament to lead the 15U Girls. The third goal came off the foot of Kyra Lesko in the 73rd minute.

15U Boys
SAC United Blue (MD) claimed the 15U Boys championship after a 3-1 win over VE Gunners (PA-E). Joshua Martins scored 10 minutes into the start of action, giving SAC the early lead. Ronaldi Cardona extended the lead with a goal of his own 11 minutes later. After SAC took a 2-0 lead to half, Richard Faul cut the lead to one with a goal in the 53^rd minute. The lead was extended to two just seven minutes later with a goal from Kelvin Aria, his 15U Boys leading seventh goal.

16U Girls
An early score in just the eighth minute from Sejla Podzic pushed Keystone FC Elite 2003G (PA-E) past Rancocas Valley United Premier (NJ). Podzic scored early and Keystone was able to hold on to the one goal lead for 80 minutes as they shutout Rancocas. The goal is Podzic’s 16U Girls leading fifth goal of the tournament.

16U Boys
Thrilling regulation play that resulted in a 2-2 draw, TAFC 03 BATA (VA) pulled off a 4-2 victory in overtime against Alliance Premier (MD). Only five minutes into action, Anthony Suarez scored to give TAFC the quick lead. Mauricio Gallegos scored the equalizing goal in the 26th minute, but a goal from Robert Paz nine minutes later gave the lead back to TAFC. In the 63^rdminute, Ryan Davis made it a 2-2 game to send it to extra time. Six minutes into extra time, Paz scored his second goal of the game, 16U Boys leading seventh goal, and the game winner for TAFC. Three minutes later Joshua Espinoza-Veliz scored an insurance goal for TAFC.

17U Girls
After posting a shutout in the title game, Rage United SC Xtreme (PA-E) are the 2019 17U Girls champions. Rage posted two goals on their way to victory over Twin County SA Storm (NJ). Taylor Goss put Rage ahead in the 36th minute after scoring, while the insurance goal came in the 71st minute from Kayla Weaver.

17U Boys
Spartans 02 (NJ) came out firing in the title game, scoring five goals in their win over Arlington White (VA). The Spartans allowed one goal in the contest. After a first half goal from Joel Santos Urena in the 25th minute, the Spartans netted four in the second half. Daniel DeriusRodriguez found the back of the net just seven minutes apart with goals in the 49th and 56th minute. Dorin Kickbush cut Arlington’s deficit to two in the 69th minute. Kodie Sarkodie found the back of the net for two goals in the 90th and 92nd minute. Kickbush, Rodrgiuez, and Sarkodie all finished first in the 17U Boys division with seven goals.

18U Girls
CSA-Monmouth 2001 G EDP Showcase (NJ) was crowned 18U Girls champions after besting Century V Red (PA-W), 2-1, in the final. Century went up early in the eighth minute after Megan Haslett found the back of the net. Erika Cameron netted the equalizer in the 70th minute, sending the game to overtime. In the second overtime, Renee Ochoa scored the game winning goal in the 108th minute.

18U Boys
Following two early goals, DC Stoddert Blue Metros (MD) never looked back on the way to earning the 18U Boys title over  PWSI 01 Red Boys (VA), 2-1. Emile O’Brien scored twice in six minutes with goals in the 13th and 19th minute. PWSI cut the lead in half in the 75th minute with a goal from Alan Hernandez.

For complete event results for the East Presidents Cup, click here. For more information on all US Youth Soccer Regional and National Presidents Cup events, visit the US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup Homepage at www.usyouthsoccer.org/presidents-cup.

Note:  The US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup is a separate series of events from the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series.