GREENVILLE, S.C. (June 21, 2012) – The US Youth Soccer Region III (South) Championships presented by National Guard came to an inspiring conclusion Thursday with 10 teams lifting regional championship trophies and claiming a place at the 2012 US Youth Soccer National Championships in Rock Hill, S.C.  

After a scoreless first half, TNFC 98 Azzurri (TN) won the U-14 Girls regional title with two second half goals to beat Liverpool 98 Elite (TX-N). Meredith Slessman struck in the 41^st for her sixth of the tournament and Daniella Marcano added an insurance goal in the 61^st to secure her team a berth in the national championships.

After a goalless first 70 minutes in the U-14 Boys final, FC Dallas 98 Premier (TX-N) and Sunrise Elite (FL) entered overtime knowing the first goal would be pivotal. Jack Skahan made sure momentum swung in favor of Sunrise Elite, as he ran onto a ball over the top and slotted home the decisive strike for a 1-0 victory.

Same name, different roster, same result. Sting 97 is once again Region III champs as they got the better of AHFC 97 (TX-S) in the U-15 Girls final. Vianei Sanchez finished a successful buildup from the Sting midfield to put her team in the lead. Sting defended well and goalkeeping played a huge part to ensure that one goal was enough to claim the championship.

The U-15 Boys final between GSA Phoenix 97 Red (GA) and SAA Real Madrid Miami (FL) was tied after regulation, tied after overtime, and decided by penalty kicks. Eight minutes into the first overtime period, Momodou Jallow gave GSA a 1-0 lead. Just five minutes from the regional championship, GSA then lost the lead as SAA’s Sebastian Herran scored from 35 yards out. In the shootout, SAA made all five shots and came up with the one needed save to advance to the national championships.

CESA (SC) went three for three in championship games today, with the first win by the U-16 girls over OFC 96 (OK). After both teams created but couldn’t convert scoring chances through regulation and overtime, the championship was decided by spot kicks. Going nine shooters deep, CESA netted the decisive penalty and won the title.

For the second year in a row, the U-16 Boys champion hails from CESA (SC). This year, CESA 95 claimed the regional title by beating GSA 96 Phoenix Red (GA). After GSA cleared a defensive corner, the ball came out to Glennon Donohue who served the ball back post and Jackson Karolcyk slotted it home. CESA may meet GSA again at the National Championships, as the Georgia team had previously qualified for the event via the US Youth Soccer National League.

The CESA U-17 Girls followed suit in similarly dramatic fashion. Brandon FC Flames (FL) took the lead as Caroline Evers slotted home a loose ball in the box in the 24^th minute. Less than 10 minutes after halftime, CESA would level the game at one. Merely seconds from the final whistle and potential overtime, CESA’s Emily McCord sent a long ball to the back post where Meaghan Carrigan found enough space to nod the ball back across the keeper and into the net for the game and tournament winner.

Both teams in the U-17 Boys final advanced from the semis via late goals, and when Solar Chelsea 95 (TX-N) and Jacksonville United (FL) met on Thursday, the game was challenged until the final whistle. Kareem Itani gave Solar a lead just before halftime and Casey Eaton added another in the 62^nd minute, his fourth on the week. Emir Hidic would bring Jacksonville back within one in the 83^rd, but Solar held on for the win and the regional title.

For years Brentwood 94 Premier (TN) has come agonizingly close to a berth in the national championships. Last year they went home after making it to the final and worked all year to change the outcome this time around. Their U-18 finals day opponent, AHFC 94 (TX-S) made the road difficult, scoring immediately off the opening kickoff to claim a 1-0 lead. Brentwood’s Victoria Hawkins would equalize before half and Chesney White scored in the 65^th on a quick counter attack to give Brentwood the lead. Just three minutes later, Jillian Lutz headed home a goal to bring the teams level again. Brentwood would not be denied and Lindsey Mayo made the most of her strike in overtime to finally claim the regional title.

The U-18 Boys final marked a rematch of the 2011 championship game as Florida Rush Nike (FL) faced TSCH 94 Earle (OK). For the first 45 minutes, both teams enjoyed periods of possession and quality chances without scoring a goal. In the 62^nd minute, Florida’s Jean Rivaroli finished a cross off a half volley. Solid defending and goalkeeping kept a shutout for Rush and the team repeated as regional champs.

2012 US Youth Soccer Region III Champions

Under-13 Girls                  NASA 17 Elite (GA)
Under-13 Boys                  Dallas Texans (TX-N)
Under-14 Girls                  TNFC 98 Azzurri (TN)
Under-14 Boys                  Sunrise Elite 97/98 (FL)
Under-15 Girls                  Sting 97 (TX-N)
Under-15 Boys                  SAA Real Madrid Miami (FL)
Under-16 Girls                  CESA 95 Premier (SC)
Under-16 Boys                  CESA 95 Premier (SC)
Under-17 Girls                  CESA 94 Premier (SC)
Under-17 Boys                  Solar Chelsea 95 (TX-N)
Under-18 Girls                  Brentwood 94 Premier (TN)
Under-18 Boys                  Florida Rush Nike (FL)
Under-19 Girls                  CCSC SOL (FL)
Under-19 Boys                  GSA 93 Phoenix Red (GA)

 

Thursday Finals Scores

Group	Away		Home
Under-14 Girls	TNFC 98 Azzurri (TN)	2	Liverpool 98 Elite (TX-N)	0
	Goal Scorers: TNFC - Meredith Slessman (41:00), Daniella  Marcano (61:00)
Under-14 Boys	FC Dallas 98 Premier (TX-N)	0	Sunrise Elite 97\98 (FL)	1
	Goal Scorer: Sunrise - ALEXANDER GOMEZ (72:00)
Under-15 Girls	AHFC 97 (TX-S)	0	Sting 97 (TX-N)	1
	Goal Scorer: Sting - Vianei Sanchez (3:00)
Under-15 Boys	SAA Real Madrid Miami (FL)	2	GSA Phoenix 97 Red (GA)	1
	Goal Scorers: SAA - Sebastian Herran (94:00)
	GSA: Momodou Jallow (88:00)
Under-16 Girls	OFC 96 (OK)	0	CESA 95 Premier (SC)	1
	CESA advanced via PKs
Under-16 Boys	GSA 96 Phoenix Red (GA)	0	CESA 95 Premier (SC)	1
	Goal Scorer: CESA - Jackson Karolczyk (14:00)
Under-17 Girls	CESA 94 Premier (SC)	2	Brandon FC Flames - Blue (FL)	1
	Goal Scorers: CESA - Mercedes Ducker (53:00), Meaghan Carrigan (90:00)
	Flames - Caroline Evers (24:00)
Under-17 Boys	Solar Chelsea 95 (TX-N)	2	Jacksonville United 94/95 (FL)	1
	Goal Scorers: Solar - Kareem Itani (42:00), Casey Eaton (67:00)
	JUFC - EMIR HIDIC (83:00)
Under-18 Girls	AHFC 94 (TX-S)	2	Brentwood 94 Premier (TN)	3
	Goal Scorers: AHFC - Kaitlyn Bourgeois (1:00), Jillian Lutz (68:00)
	Brentwood - Victoria Hawkins (36:00), Chesney White (65:00), Lindsey Mayo (97:00)
Under-18 Boys	TSCH 94 Earle (OK)	0	Florida Rush Nike (FL)	1
	Goal Scorer: Rush - Jean Rivaroli (62:00)

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. 

Daily reports and complete results from the tournament are available on http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org. Follow the moments from the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series on Twitter and share the moments with us on Facebook.

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About the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series – The US Youth Soccer National Championship Series provides more than 10,000 teams from US Youth Soccer's 55 State Associations the opportunity to showcase their abilities against the best in the nation while emphasizing teamwork, discipline and fair play. The yearlong competition begins with over 185,000 players in the US Youth Soccer State Championships.  These champions and selected wildcard teams, through US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues, advance to compete in one of four the US Youth Soccer Regional Championships. Champions (U-14 through U-19) from each regional event advance to the US Youth Soccer National Championships.  The Under-15 through 17 Boys and Girls age groups have two teams representative of the US Youth Soccer National League, in which the top two teams in each gender age group earn a direct path to the national championships. Overall the National Championship Series provides top collegiate coaches with the premier stage to identify and scout the most coveted players in the country. For more information, visit http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org.