RICHMOND, Va. – The second day of games at the Jefferson Cup featured even more action than the opening day, as teams across the area continued to put in work in front of college coaches and other scouts under chilly yet sunny skies. 

U14 Championship

Charlotte United FC 2, Stronghold SC Falcons 0

A pair of second half goals lead Charlotte United to 2-0 upset win over Stronghold SC Falcons, as a dominant performance from Melvin Covert helped secure the win.

For much of the game, Covert’s pace out wide was simply too much to handle and he was able to create chances on will. Although Charlotte was having their way on the outside, they were not able to find the back of the net in the first half, as the Falcons were able to disrupt United in and around the box. A size advantage was particularly useful to help the Falcons keep the game close in the first half.

In the second half the game opened up in a big way for Charlotte. Center back Alex Pistiolis started the attack by playing a ball out wide to Rogelio Mendez who quickly sent a ball down the line for a streaking Covert. Covert used his pace to get in behind the defense and sent a ball across the goalmouth for an easy tap in for forward John Ranshaw.

The goal was long over due and United didn’t stop attacking.  One minute later they found the back of the net again, this time it was Covert who converted a shot into the low left corner and round out the scoring.

U18 Championship

Bethesda SC 3, Valparaiso United Futbol 0 

Top five ranked Bethesda SC was one of the main attractions for college coaches at the Jefferson Cup, and they didn’t disappoint in a convincing 3-0 victory.

Bethesda got off to a perfect start in the game’s first 15 minutes into the match when the University of Maryland commit Chris Odoi Atsem used his blazing speed to get in behind the defense of Valparaiso where he slotted home a goal into the lower right corner. Valparaiso did not see much of the ball in the first half and Bethesda controlled the tempo – Bethesda goalie Ryan Massie was only forced to make 1 save in the first half.

The game opened up a bit more in the second half, and Bethesda was able to capitalize on a few costly mistakes in the back from Valparaiso. Virginia-bound Nicko Corriveau, scored the second goal of the day, and the victorious side grabbed one more on the day to round out a comprehensive win.

U15 Championship

Bethesda SC Lions 2, Penn Fusion 0

An early goal from Bethesda SC’s Taofik Lucas-Walker was just the start his side needed, helping pace his side to a 2-0 win.

The Fusion tried to even things out shortly after Lucas-Walker’s goal they found the woodwork off a nicely taken free kick. However, aside from that, the Fusion found little joy in the field, as Bethesda’s Joel Tshiani used his size and strength to control the midfield all game long. 

After the break, action started up in extremely similar fashion to the first, as Bethesda struck again just five minutes after the break.  A great individual play by Tshiani started the attack as he found Justin Lobe all alone on the back post after beating three defenders off the dribble inside the 18 to round of the scoring on the day.

Brandon FC 1, FSA FC 0

A second half goal by stalwart Chase Hovious provided the game’s only scoring as Brandon FC defeated FSA FC by a narrow 1-0 margin.

It what was a tightly-contested matchup throughout the 70 minutes, Hovious finished off a breakaway opportunity late in the game to finally crack open the scoring. Just a few minutes later, Brandon won a PK, and Hovious stepped up aiming to bag a second goal on the day, only to miss wide from the spot.

“I was a little frustrated because I am usually good with those,” Hovious told TopDrawerSoccer.com after the game.

Fortunately for the youngster his miss didn’t come back to haunt his side, as they held on for the win. Regardless of the miss, it’s been quite the experience for Hovious so far at the Jefferson Cup. 

“It’s great to be here,” he said. “It’s a chance for players to show their skills in front of college coaches.” 

Other Day Two scores:

U14 Championship

Group A 
FC Florida 2, Carolina Elite SA 0
Bethesda Blue 1, Penn Fusion SA 0
Bethesda Blue 2, FC Florida 1
Carolina Elite SA 1, Penn Fusion SA 0 

Group B
Charlotte United FC 1, Warrington SC 1
Arlington Attack Royals 2, Stronghold SC Falcons 2
Arlington Attack Royals 0, Warrington SC 0 

U15 Championship

Group A
CASL Elite 1, TSF Academy X 1
Bethesda SC Lions 0, TSF Academy X 0 
CASL Elite 2, Penn Fusion SA 1 

Group B
Lehigh Valley United 2, NPL Charlotte Soccer Academy 0
Brandon FC E 3, Lehigh Valley United 2
FSA FC 3 NPL Charlotte Soccer Academy 2 

U16 Championship

Upper Freehold/Allentown NJ Strikers 1, NC Fusion Elite 1
Bethesda SC Blue 1, Carolina Elite SA 0
Oklahoma Football OFC 6, ASA Milan Black Hawks 2
Cincinnati Cup Crew Juniors Gold 2, Lower Merion SC Lightning 1 

U16 Elite

TSF Academy Blue 0, Black Watch Premier Rangers 0
East Meadow Arsenal 1, CASL Elite 0
Penn Fusion SA 1, Excalibur SC 0
Classics Eagles Red 0, Century United 0 

U17 Championship

OBGC Rangers 3, Carolina Elite SA 2
Cincinnati CUP Crew Juniors Gold 5, Lehigh Valley United 0
TSF Academy Ginga 0, Classics Red Eagles 0
Penn Fusion SA 2, Ambassadors FC 0 

U17 Elite

Crusaders United 3, North Meck SC 0
Bethesda SC Revolution 1, Cincinnati United CUP Crew Juniors Black 0
Princeton SA Premier 4, FSA FC 0
FC Florida of Parkland 4, CASL Elite 0