Top Forty-Eight  Teams Playing for Respective National Crown

ORLANDO, FL (July 27, 2005) – The US Youth Soccer National Championships began today with Preliminary Round play at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex.      

In the Under-17 Girls division, the Eclipse Select (IL), 2004 National Champions, wasted no time, getting on the scoreboard early against the Slammers FC (CA) as Brittany McCoy found the back of the net for one of her two goals in only the tenth minute of the game.

“The first 15 to 20 minutes, we were pressing them in, we were good for that portion, but lost the battle in the midfield (for the remainder). During the second half, they were allover us but were able to score against the run of play. In a nutshell, we scored our two goal chances,” said Eclipse Coach Mike Nesci of his team’s 2-0 win. “Everybody here is unbelievable, who knows what our chances are to repeat. Three of the four teams have won the National Championship (2002 Slammers FC – Under-14, 2003 PDA Wildcats – Under-15, 2004 Eclipse Select – Under-16).  CASL Spartan Elite (NC) made a statement to all of the other teams, winning 3-1 (over PDA Wildcats, NJ).”

Slammers FC (CA) under-16 girls team continued their current streak of no-goals-against from the 2005 US Youth Soccer Region IV Championships.  Today the Slammers defeated the Greensboro SC Twisters Green (NC) with six goals to none.  Five different players scored, Kellye Joswick scored led the Slammers with two goals (25:00, 70:00).  The Slammers will look to continue their current trend tomorrow against the PDA Wildcats (NJ).

A heated contest in the Under-18 Boys division found FC Milwaukee (WI) who outlasted the PDA Conquistadors (NJ), 2-1. Trevor Banks of FC Milwaukee scored in the 32nd minute and PDA retaliated in the second half with a goal from Joseph Clarke. FC Milawukee’s Ben Hauber scored the game-winner with 12 minutes left of play.

“We countered really well. They were playing a 3-5-2 and we took advantage,” said Milwaukee defender Will Jaquis. “Trevor Banks had a header off a cross and Ben Hauber stepped up big, he didn’t back away from the keeper on that goal.”

With big wins, come grand statements. After Real Colorado Nationals (CO) Under-17 Boys 4-0 victory over the New Rochelle Raiders (NY), Real’s Dion Bubar-Hall, who broke the scoreless tie in the 42nd minute, said, “It was the greatest feeling ever. It helped us relax a little bit.”

“(Nationals) is the best experience of my life, great fields, great refs it is just an overall great experience.”