MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (June 19, 2011) – And then there were 96. More than 180 teams started the journey for a Region III Championship and Sunday the field was whittled to 96 quarterfinal teams. Sunday’s games marked the third and final day of preliminary games and the sense of urgency was tangible as numerous teams were playing with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line. The best youth soccer players were at their best, and dozens of college and national team coaches were on hand to witness the elevated play and evaluate players, including Cindy Parlow of U.S. Soccer.
 
“I grew up coming to these events and Regional Championships was one of my favorite events of the year,” Parlow said. “It’s such a great tournament because the competition is so tremendous. I get to come watch some great soccer and watch the next generation of soccer players. There’s a lot of great talent out here. I’ve been very impressed with some of the kids I’ve had the opportunity to see.”
 
Parlow was specifically scouting the youngest age groups, and several games in the U-15 Girls bracket determined which teams would continue to play at the Region III Championships.
 
Needing a win to advance to the quarterfinals, 91 Charlotte SA Predator (NC) faced defending National Champion Sting 95 (TX-N). Unfortunately for Charlotte, Sting proved too strong, as Caitlyn Heap and Britt Blackwell each scored to lift their team to a 2-0 victory. Sting will enter the quarter finals undefeated.
 
Both D’Feeters (TX-N) and BUSA 95 (AL) controlled their own destiny to the quarterfinal round. In a hard fought first half, Malcanisha Kelley scored in the thirtieth minute and Abby Jones added another five minutes later to give BUSA a 2-0 lead. Jessica Harris pulled one back for the D’Feeters, netting a goal before halftime. Both teams were scoreless in the second half, and BUSA advanced to the quarterfinals on the 2-1 victory.
 
FC Alliance 95G Black (TN) and Gulf Coast United Futbol Club (MS) played for pride today, looking to earn their first points of the tournament. After a scoreless first half, Christina Miller netted a goal in the forty-eighth for Gulf Coast United. Just ten minutes later, FC Alliance Black’s Summer Lanter scored an equalizer and the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
 
Two undefeated teams and hometown rivals took to the field when Concorde Fire Elite (GA) met GSA 95 Phoenix (GA). With both teams securing a spot in the quarterfinals on day two, today’s game determined pool position and quarterfinal opponents. Savannah Jordan gave Concorde Fire an early lead and Hannah Edwards added another goal in the second half to defeat GSA 2-0.
 
The U-14 Boys also faced several win-to-advance games. West Pines Black (FL) entered the final day of preliminary games in control of its fate as they attempted to move into the quarterfinal round. The team secured the needed three points to advance with a convincing 4-0 victory over 97 Louisiana Fire Red (LA).West Pines highlighted a balanced attack, as four players found the net: Louis Brown, Daniel Reese, David Kim and Ricardo Oliveros.
 
With everything to play for on day three, CESA 96 Premier (SC) faced Concorde Fire Elite (GA), needing a win to advance into the elimination round. Concorde Fire’s Scotty Frantz scored the only goal of the game in the fifty-first minute to lift his team to its third win of the tournament and first place position in its group.
 
On the next field over, 96 CASL of North Carolina needed a win or a tie versus winless Tulsa Soccer Club to move on in the Region III Championships. Joshua Campbell gave CASL a lead in the tenth minute and William Gauger doubled the lead with a twenty-fourth-minute goal. Tulsa’s George Lopez scored just before half, but it wasn’t enough as CASL advanced to the quarterfinals on a 2-1 victory.
 
Having already qualified for the quarterfinals, FC Dallas 97 Premier (TX-N) quickly netted a goal today in the first minute of play when Ricardo Gonzalez collected a through-ball and slotted a far-post goal. Four more Dallas Texans scored en route to a 5-0 victory over Brentwood 97B Premier (TN). Brentwood needed a result for a chance to advance out of its pool.

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