National championships awarded to U-13 through U-17 girls’ teams at 2010 National Cup IX Finals; Girls’ National Collegiate Showcase concludes

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (July 28, 2010) – A total of 10 U-13 through U-17 girls’ teams have been crowned national champions in two competitive divisions at the 2010 National Cup IX Finals, held July 24-27 at the Hampton Roads Soccer Complex in Virginia Beach, Va.

The event for girls’ teams complements the July 30-Aug. 2 event for boys’ teams, which will also take place in conjunction with the National Collegiate Showcase.

Teams from eight different states claimed national championships and lifted the Doug Hamilton Memorial Cup during the girls’ event.

Teams from 10 different clubs earned national titles, including U-16 Premier Group champion Empire United SA Blue (N.Y.). Empire United was the only club to place two teams into group finals, with the U-16 team picking up the club’s lone championship by defeating Real Reno (Nev.) by a score of 3-0.

“To beat a team twice in the same weekend is very difficult, but I thought we did a very good job of keeping our composure,” said Empire United SA Blue coach Mike Paolini. “Once we started going at them we were able to create some openings and get some goals. As a club, we pride ourselves on development of individuals and we train our teams to compete at the regional and national level.”

In perhaps the most exciting game of the day, Northwest Nationals ’96 Red (Wash.) needed overtime to claim a 1-0 victory over Ohio Elite SA (Ohio) and win the U-13 Super Group.

“Ohio Elite was a very good team, very solid in the back especially, so I was anticipating a close game,” said Northwest Nationals ’96 Red coach Vadim Tolstolutsky. “Fortunately we were persistent enough to get one at the end of the game.

“This is the first national championship for our club, so it was nice to be a part of it. It means a lot to be a part of such a high-caliber tournament. I am very proud of our girls and honored to coach such a great group of young ladies that never quit.”

For the third successive year, the Hampton Roads Soccer Complex played host to the National Cup IX Finals, which serves as the culminating event of US Club Soccer’s signature national championship competition. The 2010 National Cup IX also included 11 Regionals held throughout the country from Memorial Day weekend through mid-July.

“We’ve been down to Virginia Beach numerous times and anytime we get a chance to play there, particularly at the Hampton Roads Soccer Complex, it’s really good for our teams,” said Paolini. “It’s a first-class facility, it was a great event, and to be in Virginia Beach is always a great thing.”

In addition to the National Cup IX Finals, high-level U-15 through U-17 squads displayed their skills to attending college coaches as part of the National Collegiate Showcase. The jointly-held events present the rare opportunity to scout teams and players from throughout the country at two separate events, but at the same location.

During the girls’ National Cup IX Finals/National Collegiate Showcase, two more episodes were produced of Today at the Cup, US Club Soccer’s official video journal from the 2010 National Cup IX. Episodes include highlights from the final two days of action in Virginia Beach.

Over the course of the weekend, US Club Soccer was pleased to offer a free college recruiting and admissions seminar and free individual team meetings. Nationally-renowned college recruiting and admissions expert Rick Singer, Master Coach and CEO of The Key, was on-hand to lead the free sessions, which took place on Saturday and Sunday.

As part of the National Standards Project, iSoccer had an on-site presence at the girls’ National Cup IX Finals and National Collegiate Showcase. The National Standards Project aims to establish a technical baseline for players of all ages in order to raise the level of soccer in the United States.

Relive the girls’ action and follow the upcoming boys’ event from Virginia Beach, Va., at the 2010 National Cup IX Finals/National Collegiate Showcase Online HQ, with daily results and links to the most recent episodes of Today at the Cup.

For a complete listing of girls’ national champions and championship game scores, please see below:

2010 National Cup IX Finals Champions & Game Scores – Girls:

U-13 Girls Super Group:  Northwest Nationals ’96 Red (Wash.)
Northwest Nationals ’96 Red (Wash.) 1, Ohio Elite SA (Ohio) 0 – OT

U-13 Girls Premier:  Connecticut FC Wolves (Conn.)
Connecticut FC Wolves (Conn.) 3, Empire United SA Syracuse Blue (N.Y.) 0

U-14 Girls Super Group:  Michigan Elite PDA (Mich.)
Michigan Elite PDA (Mich.) 1, Minnesota Thunder Academy Elite ’96 Blue (Minn.) 0

U-14 Girls Premier:  Quickstrike FC ’96 (N.Y.)
Quickstrike FC ‘96 (N.Y.) 3, Hawaii Rush ’96 Nike (Hawaii) 1

U-15 Girls Super Group:  FC Delco Lightning (Pa.)
FC Delco Lightning (Pa.) 2, VSA Heat Blue 94/95 (Va.) 1

U-15 Girls Premier:  South Florida Alliance (Fla.)
South Florida Alliance (Fla.) 2, San Ramon Azuri (Calif.) 0

U-16 Girls Super Group:  JYS Fury ’94 Green (Fla.)
JYS Fury ’94 Green (Fla.) 2, Eclipse Select (Ill.) 1

U-16 Girls Premier:  Empire United SA Blue (N.Y.)
Empire United SA Blue (N.Y.) 3, Real Reno (Nev.) 0

U-17 Girls Super Group:  Windy City Pride 39 (Ill.)
Windy City Pride 39 (Ill.) 3, Century United Red (Pa.) 1

U-17 Girls Premier:  Beach FC Piranhas (Va.)
Beach FC Piranhas (Va.) 4, RSL Florida Elite ’92 (Fla.) 0

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