ECNL Preview: Getting ready for last lap

ECNL Preview: Getting ready for last lap
by J.R. Eskilson
April 24, 2014

 

As April ends, ECNL heads into the final days of the regular season for some teams and eyes turn toward the playoffs in June. This weekend features teams battling for playoff spots as well as some local rivalries being renewed.

U14

World Class FC battles FC Stars of Massachusetts on Saturday in a matchup between two of the top ranked teams in the nation in this age group. World Class sits in second place in the Champions League standings with a 17-1 record. FC Stars is not far off that pace with a 13-2 record and seventh in the overall standings. World Class won the first meeting this season 2-1 behind goals from Melina Couzis and Zoe Maxwell.

Charlotte Soccer Academy, third in the Champions League, returns to ECNL competition for the first time in April this weekend with games against West Florida Flames and Orlando City YS. Charlotte squeaked past West Florida 1-0 in the first meeting thanks to a goal from Mary McCabe.

In the fight for an extended season, CASL needs a six-point weekend to keep hold of the final spot in the playoffs. CASL takes on Richmond Strikers and Virginia Rush in divisional play over the weekend.

U15

PDA puts its perfect record on the line this weekend with games against Scorpions SC and FC Stars of Massachusetts. The New Jersey club is 9-0 on the season and only conceded three goals in those games.

Penn Fusion SA is hoping for PDA to slip up in one of those games, as it looks to close the gap in the national and divisional standings. Penn Fusion is 9-1-1 on the campaign and fourth in the national standings. Fusion takes on SoccerPlus Elite and Connecticut FC over the weekend. Connecticut FC is also fighting for playoff seeding as it sits in the final spot in the champions league standing.

De Anza Force returns to action this weekend with a tough fixture against a talented Crossfire Premier squad on Saturday. De Anza also takes on Washington Premier on Sunday.

U16

The top two teams in the Ohio Valley Division battle on Saturday as Maryland United hosts OP Ohio Premier. Maryland United won the first meeting 3-2 behind goals from Kia Rankin, Sarah Osborne, and Alyssa Hill.

In the Northeast Conference, East Meadow Soccer Club takes on Continental FC Delco and Match Fit Academy. The game on Sunday features two squads jockeying for position in the postseason standings. East Meadow sits in the 16th spot thanks to Erin Gilroy’s 12-goal campaign.

Strikers FC continues its climb toward a playoff berth this weekend with games against Eagles Soccer Club and Slammers FC. Strikers beat Eagles 3-0 in the first meeting thanks to two goals from Kennedy Smith and another from Darcy Weiser. Slammers dropped Strikers 3-1 in the first matchup though.

U17

The top matchup from the U17 age group comes from Ohio Valley Division where Carmel United takes on Ohio Elite Soccer Academy. Ohio sits in first place in the division, but Carmel has a higher seed in the champions league standings due to a better record at the national events. This is the first meeting this season between the teams, as they will meet again on the last day of the regular season on May 31.

West Coast FC is trying to keep the pressure on Dallas Sting at the top of the champions league standings with a game against Real So Cal this weekend. West Coast FC won the first meeting this season 2-1 thanks to goals from Leah Pruitt and Hailey Hite.

U18

In the U18 age group, it’s Real So Cal with it all on the line. Real So Cal is even on points per game for the top spot in the national standings with Michigan Hawks. A win on Saturday would push Real So Cal into the top spot as Hawks sit dormant until the playoffs. 

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