US Youth Soccer Region I Championships Day 2 Recap

Preliminary games day 2 of 3 complete
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SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. (Via US Youth Soccer) – Day Two of preliminary matches has concluded at the 2017 US Youth Soccer Region I Championships at the Publix Virginia Soccer Training Center and Embrey Mills Complex in Spotsylvania, Va.

While some teams have already secured their spot in Monday’s semifinals, the fate of most will be decided Sunday for the chance to advance.

+READ: US Youth Soccer Region I Championships Day 1 Recap

Notes from a few of today’s games…

Boys Recaps
Group D in the 12U Boys age group is super close after two days of play. AFFC Storm (PA-W) sits on top with six points after earning a 1-0 victory over South County Elite (RI) on the second day of play. AFFC’s Joshua Veychek was the game’s lone goal scorer. Bethesda Blue 05 (MD) bounced back to gain three points and now sits tied in the standings with KSC 05 Blue (DE). All teams will be looking to gain points to avoid tiebreaker drama at the end of Day Three as only one team will advance out of the group into semifinals.

16U Boys Future Player Academy (PA-E) earned a scrappy 1-0 victory over KSC Blue 01 (DE). A penalty kick goal in the first half was all that separated the two sides as they played a tough physical battle up until the final whistle. Carter Houlihan‘s spot-kick gives Future Player Academy a full six points heading into the final day of preliminary play where they’ll face Alliance FC (NH).

Baltimore Bays 00 (MD) claimed a, 4-0, victory over WVFC 2000 (WV) in a Day Two 17U Boys matchup. West Virginia pressed hard early and had a chance early off a corner kick headed off the line. Baltimore composed themselves and got a great goal from John Peterson. Peterson received a quick give and go, side-stepped a defender and then finished his shot passed the keeper. Baltimore scored just two minutes later when a flick on pass into the box was finished by Brayden Wise. In the second half, WVFC pulled one back as Hayden O’Dell snagged an errant pass to the Bays keeper and sent his chance into the back of the net to make it 2-1. Baltimore stayed composed and made the score 3-1 as a crossed ball into the box was finished by Camden Ohrin. Baltimore finished the scoring with a Tajhon Willis goal to bring the final to 4-1.

“It’s crucial to get those first points as you want to be in a position to get through the bracket and rest some guys and get everyone involved and setting the stage for the third match,” said Baltimore Bays Head Coach Adam Mizell.  “We need to stay the course and maintain that mentality of playing every match like it’s a final. Whether we’re automatically through or not, we’re not stopping or changing focus. We’re going to come out like it’s the final every match, that’s what we’re about.”

Girls Recaps
12U Girls Group A will be decided with a Day Three matchup between Century V Gold (PA-W) and MUSC Crew (WV). Century V has looked daunting in their opening games scoring 17 goals and allowing just one. MUSC, also boasting a perfect record, have scored eight goals while conceding none. Group C contains the final unbeaten team in the 12U Girls age group. Pipeline SC Black (MD) earned a win against Nordic 20005 (VT) to stay perfect and will need just a tie against SCP 20005 – Storm (CT) to guarantee itself a spot in the semifinals.

In Group B of the 13U Girls age group, PA Classics 04 Academy (PA-E) and Arlington (VA) both grabbed big wins to set up an all or nothing Day Three matchup between the two teams. Both teams have some impressive goal scorers with Alyssa Kenealy and Ellie Simmons leading the way for Arlington and Madison Teter and Maggie Groh leading the PA Classic goal scorers. In Group A, SDFC Yellow (NJ) and CFC North Sky (CT) top Group A with four points each. Their Day Three matchup could result in the group winner, or if the two leaders tie, it could open the door for a three-way tiebreaker if Greater Binghamton FC (NY-W) can earn a substantial win over Nordic 2003 Premier (VT).

DEFC 03 (DE) and Beadling 2003 Elite (PA-W) played to a 0-0 draw between the 14U Girls Group D leaders. In the other Group D match, CT Rush earned a 2-0 victory over BRYC Elite Academy 03/04 (VA). Second half goals from Sophia Gabriel and Regan McCarthy are what separated the two sides at the final whistle. Rush faces DEFC in its final preliminary game and will need to win to give itself a chance to advance into the semifinals.

15U Girls Loudoun 02 Red (VA) defeated Lehigh Valley United Black (PA-E) 4-1 to earn a full six points through its first two games. Emma Ricci scored the game’s first goal in the 20th minute when she received the ball on the top of the box, turned and hit a ball to the bottom right beyond the diving LVU keeper. LVU pulled one back early in the second half as a cross deflected to Briana Cazrnecki who spun around her defender and scored. Sophia Maltese put her team ahead for good as she scored two goals in just three minutes of play. In the 51st minute, Maltese smashed the game winner into the upper left corner and then in the 53rd she cleaned up a block shot chance for a 3-1 lead. Sydney Schnell widened the gap with the game’s final goal just a couple minutes before the final whistle. Loudoun is firing on all cylinders scoring eight goals through its two games while allowing conceding once.

“This team has a commitment and sacrifice they put in that has been outstanding,” said Loudoun Head Coach David DiMillio. “They’ve had many milestones and successes, but we’ve always been working on getting to Nationals. That’s our summit for this year and we’re hoping to get there after a successful Regionals.”

Regional winners of the 13U through 19/20U age groups earn a berth to the 2017 US Youth Soccer National Championships to be held July 24–30, at Toyota Soccer Center in Frisco, Texas.

The US Youth Soccer National Championships will consist of US Youth Soccer Regional Champions in the 13U through 19/20U Boys and Girls age groups as well as the US Youth Soccer National League qualifiers in the 15U through 19/20U Boys and Girls age groups to complete the field of 96 teams.