Champions Crowned at 2006 US Youth Soccer National Championships

DES MOINES, Iowa (July 30, 2005) – The 2006 US Youth Soccer National Champions were crowned today at James W. Cownie Soccer Park where the top 48 teams in the country met to conclude the final leg of the 2006 US Youth Soccer National Championship Series. After this week’s three rounds of preliminary play, the top two teams in the country remained, Under-14 through Under-19 age groups, to play for their respective national championship cup.

Two teams entered the tournament poised to take their third championship in as many years. On Friday, the Eclipse Select (Under-18 Girls) were eliminated in a shootout against the Dallas Texans 88 Red North. Keeping hope alive, Arsenal FC (Under-17 Boys) advanced to the finals where they met, for the third time, Solar 89 SC to determine the champion and if Arsenal’s name would be written in the record books as the only boys’ team to achieve back-to-back-to-back national championships.

Other defending national champions, So Cal United (Under-15 Boys) and Dallas Texans 88 Red (Under-18 Boys), were also looking to continue a streak of their own. The streak will continue for another years as both sides won their respective championship finals.

The Under-19 Boys trophy, James P. McGuire Cup, is the oldest in youth sport dating back to 1935 with the inaugural youth championships. Hoisting the McGuire Cup on its 71^st anniversary is Javanon SC from Kentucky.

Brief highlights of each championship final are below…

Under-14 Girls
Elmer Ehlers Cup
ISC Strikers (CA-S) vs. Hershey Attack (E-PA), 1:0
The Strikers and Hershey met in round robin play where the Strikers defeated Hershey (1:0). In today’s final to determine the Elmer Ehlers Cup Champion, the score would remain the same in favor of ISC Strikers.

The lone goal came from the Strikers’ Julie McKee who took on the Hershey defense and scored in the 45^th minute. The Strikers, two-time US Youth Soccer Region IV Champions, would fend off the Hershey Attack and claim the cup as US Youth Soccer Under-14 Girls National Champions.

“It was the biggest shot I’ve had,” said Julie McKee who was awarded the adidas golden boot for most outstanding player. Teammate Makenna Henry learned of the individual awards from the official tournament program.

“I read about the (adidas) golden glove and I wanted that,” said an emotional Henry who was awarded the adidas golden glove winner.

Under-14 Boys
US Youth Soccer National Cup
Dallas Texans (N-TX) vs. Valley United Blast (CA-S), 2:3
Three-time US Youth Soccer Region IV Champion, Valley United Blast met Dallas Texans to see which side would be crowned champion and raise the US Youth Soccer National Cup on the awards stage. Valley United’s Eduardo Gonzalez would score two (11:00, 49:00) to take the 2:1 advantage over the Texans. Adding to the lead was Valley United’s Dillon Short in the 54^th. The Texans tried to fight back and scored in the 59^th but time expired and the score remained 3:2 in favor of Valley United.

“This is tremendous, we are very proud of these boys,” said Julio Castilla, Valley United Blash head coach. “Dallas (Texans) was an unbelievable team and they will be here next year for sure.”

Under-15 Girls
Kristine Lilly Cup
Eclipse Select (IL) vs. PDA Pride (NJ), 4:0
The Kristine Lilly Cup was between two first-time teams to the US Youth Soccer National Championships in the Eclipse Select and PDA Pride. The Eclipse offensive was too much for PDA as the Eclipse strikers peppered their opponent with sixteen shots.

Ali Hall scored first for Eclipse in the 8^th and her Iowa-native teammate Chelsea Cline added to the total in the 34^th. Stephanie Iantorno added two more (61:00, 69:00) for the 4:0 win.

“This is a special group of players that we were able to put together with the purpose of winning the US Youth Soccer National Championships,” said Mike Nesci, head coach for Eclipse Select. “Today we played as close to perfect as possible.”

Under-15 Boys
adidas Cup
So Cal United (CA-S) vs. FC Delco Hammerheads (E-PA), 4:0
Defending 2004 national champion, So Cal United was led by upcoming U.S. Soccer Residency Player, Evan Rayner who scored early and often. He scored three goals (11:00, 59:00, 70:00) and was focused on the chance to repeat as champions. Following the match he was awarded the adidas golden boot award for most outstanding player.

Joining Rayner on the awards stage was Elmer Abelar who won his second adidas golden glove award for outstanding keeper. So Cal finished the 2006 US Youth Soccer National Championship Series play at 16-0-2.

“I am happy to hold this in my hand,” said Rayner who just joined the team this year. “This is awesome.”

Under-16 Girls
Patricia L. Masotto Cup
Real Colorado National (CO) vs. Edmond SC 90 Black (OK), 4:2
Two-time US Youth Soccer Region III Champion, Edmond SC ran into a Real Colorado National team that was looking to make the most of their first-time in the tournament. Real took the early advantage (3:0) and looked poised to hold. Edmond SC made a charge of their own thanks to a goal in the 55^th (Kaylie Garcia). It took Real four minutes and a play from Jennifer Kmezich, her second of the match, to bring the advantage back to three. Edmond’s Jordan Calhoun scored in the 62^nd and the match ended there (4:2).

Christina Palomino, Real keeper and adidas golden boot winner thought, “All three finals in the (US Youth Soccer National Championship) Series stood out and really gave us a chance to test ourselves.”

Under-16 Boys
D.J. Niotis Cup
Baltimore Casa Mia Bays (MD) vs. Concorde Fire Elite (GA), 4:0
After two rounds of play the Under-16 Boys division was tied in all categories. Breaking through on Friday was our two finalists, Baltimore Casa Mia Bays with a decisive 3:0 win and Concorde Fire Elite with a 4:3 win. In today’s championship final, the Bays continued their balanced play on both sides of the ball.

Leading the defensive effort was Bay’s keeper Dan Louisignaus, who kept the scoreboard clear of any Concorde success.

“You just have to play your heart out and that’s what we did,” said Louisignaus.

The Bays first played together 11-months ago, today raised the D.J. Niotis Cup as champions on its 30^th anniversary.

Under-17 Girls
Laura Moynihan Cup
Eclipse Select (IL) vs. Spirit United Gaels (E-PA), 4:1
It took overtime to decide who would raise the Laura Moynihan Cup as the US Youth Soccer Under-17 Girls National Champions. Jessica Price scored in the 18^th for the Eclipse and Nicole King tied the score for the Gaels at the 43^rd. Price would score her second and third (98:00, 108:00) and teammate Kelly Lynch added another in the 115^th to complete the comeback and on the 15^th anniversary of the Cup, claim the Laura Moynihan Cup as US Youth Soccer Under-17 Girls National Champions.

“This is a great life lesson, to make a goal and then make the necessary sacrifices you can get what you want,” said Eclipse Select head coach Rory Dames. “This is a special group of kids and the depth of our team lead to the success amid this week’s heat.”  

Under-17 Boys

Don Greer Cup
Arsenal FC vs. Solar 89 SC, 3:1

Today was a very familiar site as Arsenal FC and Solar 89 SC have met to determine the last two national champions (2004, 2005). Today one team would walk away with either their historic third title in as many years or one would win their first national championship. Solar came out attacking early and Casey Herd scored on a full volley in the 2^nd. Arsenal would collect and tie thanks to Hector Jimenez in the 20^th. Daniel Rodriguez added another just before the half and Daniel Ortega finished a ball in the 58^th to give Arsenal the 3:1 win and ink their names in the history books of youth soccer.

The only team to have three consecutive national titles is the Central Valley Mercury from California who accomplished the feat in 1998 as Under-18 Girls. Arsenal FC becomes the first boy’s team to record the ‘3-peat’.

”We knew we could do it,” said Daniel Ortega. “But we had to prove it.”

When asked about the chances of four, Arsenal FC head coach Steve Lucey said, “We haven’t fully digested three in a row yet, but we will give our best efforts in coming back. That I will guarantee.”

Under-18 Girls
Francis J. “Frank” Kelly Cup
PDA Wildcats vs. Dallas Texans Red 88 North, 1:3
The PDA Wildcats entered today’s final with an undefeated record in round robin play. Standing in the way of the Under-18 Girls “Frank” Kelly Cup was the Dallas Texans 88 Red North who took on the back-to-back national champion Eclipse Select in a shootout to earn their place in the finals.

The Texans have been making a habit of coming from behind this week and down one goal to none with 15 minutes to go, the Texans looked even up the score. Whitney Palmer made a play on the left side of the field and capitalized in the 78^th. With renewed energy they would continue to fight and score in the 86^th (Leslie Briggs). Palmer froze the keeper and played a left-footed shot to seal the victory in the 90^th.

Golden boot and team captain Whitney Palmer, “We knew we wanted to be here and we kept fighting.

K.C. Crabb assistant coach for the Dallas Texans said, “This team was put together for this match and they will now be immortalized as national champions. We will look to defend this title next year in our own backyard.”

The 2007 US Youth Soccer National Championships are scheduled to be played in Frisco, Texas, a suburb of Dallas.

Under-18 Boys
Andy Stone Cup
Chicago Magic (IL) vs. Dallas Texans 88 Red (N-TX), 0:0 (3:5)
Dallas Texans 88 Red boys coach David Hudgell watched the Texan’s girls come from behind to claim their title and considered the keys to his match today against the Chicago Magic who defeated the Texans in pool play 3:1. “We have to establish our play early on,” said Hudgell. “We have played up and down all week; I hope it’s there (level of play) today.”  

The Magic have advanced to three US Youth Soccer National Championships and entered this week hoping the third times a charm. Overtime was needed as neither side could score in regulation. In overtime, the Texans Omar Gonzalez, who spent time at a nearby hospital earlier in the week for I.V. treatments, scored on a header but the goal was called offside. As was the case in regulation, neither side scored in overtime.

The Texans hit first and at 2:1 Tyler Sullivan, Texans keeper, reacted and stopped the Magic’s second attempt. Patrick Rickman touched at least two of the shots trying to defend for the Magic goal but came up just short on deflections. The Texans would win the shootout (5:3) and their second national championship in two years.

”This is the best thing ever,” said Texans keeper, Tyler Sullivan. “The first one (national title) was hard but this was so much harder.”

“For either team, to lose on penalty kicks was going to be tough,” said Hudgell. On winning their second championship he said, “This year was far more difficult with Jonathan Villanueva not here (with U.S. Soccer Under-20 National Team) and the numerous injuries that we encountered this week but this just feels great.”

Under-19 Girls
Ross Stewart Cup
Eclipse Select (IL) vs. Colorado Rush Nike (CO), 2:3
Rushing to an early lead with goals from Amanda Lathrop (13:00) and Ameera Adbullah (23:00) and Sarah Wagenfuhr (32:00), Colorado appeared to be in position to claim their national crown.

The Eclipse Select girls would dig their way back into the match with strikes from Crysti Howser in the 53^rd and 82^nd but Howser and her Eclipse side would come up just short, losing by one.

“It’s not just another win, you are winning the national championships,” said Tim Schulz head coach for the Colorado Rush. “This was our first year to qualify and the journey here was fantastic.”

Of the sixteen Rush players on the roster, all have received scholarships to play for NCAA Division I schools.

Under-19 Boys
James P. McGuire Cup
Arsenal FC (CA-S) vs. Javanon SC (KY), 2:3
Looking to raise the oldest trophy in youth sport, James P. McGuire Cup, Arsenal FC met Javanon SC in the Under-19 Boys final. No stranger to the James W. Cownie Soccer Park, Javanon won the 2003 US Youth Soccer Region II Championship at the complex as Under-16s.

Today Javanon took the lead early in the 5^th on a goal by Danny Walcott and that score would hold until the second half when Arsenal’s Cesar Rivera scored to tie in the 73^rd. Javanon would add two more to Arsenal’s one to win by the score of 3:2.

“In 2003 we weren’t as balanced,” said Bruce Yeagle, head coach for Javanon. “This is one of the best moments of my life.” Yeagle’s son Derrick is the team’s assistant coach and Darren is a player for Javanon.

”I knew my coaches were pushing us and expecting our best,” said Darren Yeagle, adidas golden boot winner.

Complete tournament results are available at http://Championships.USYouthSoccer.org.

The 2006 US Youth Soccer National Championship Series is the country’s most prestigious national youth soccer tournament, providing over 185,000 players on more than 10,000 teams from US Youth Soccer’s 55 state associations the opportunity to showcase their soccer skills against the best competition in the nation while emphasizing teamwork, discipline and fair play.

2006 marks the 30^th anniversary of the under-16 boys D.J. Niotis Cup and 15^th Anniversary of the under-17 girls Laura Moynihan Cup. The James P. McGuire Cup is the oldest trophy in youth sport dating back to 1935 with the inaugural youth championships. The under-19 boys age group as the National Champion will hoist the McGuire Cup. This is the 71^st anniversary of the storied cup.

Annually the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series provides the nation’s top collegiate coaches with the premier stage to identify and scout the most coveted players in the country. In 2005, over 500 coaches attended the US Youth Soccer Regional Championships including the majority of the top 25 men’s and women’s programs based on the final 2005 NSCAA/adidas National Rankings for NCAA Division I schools.

On Friday, August 11th, The US Youth Soccer National Championships Highlight Show, presented by adidas will air on the Fox Soccer Channel, US Youth Soccer's official television partner, at 8:00 PM ET. The two-hour show will highlight the national championships providing feature stories, interviews, game highlights and much, much more. In addition to The US Youth Soccer National Championships Show, FC Fox will also highlight the 2006 US Youth Soccer National Championships. FC Fox airs Fridays at 7:30 PM ET.

US Youth Soccer National Championship Final Results
Day 4 Results – Championship Matches

Under-14 Girls
ISC Strikers (CA-S) 1, Hershey Attack (E. PA) 0
Goal Scorers: ISC Strikers – Julie McKee (45:00)
Shots: 2/2
Corner Kicks: 4/0
Fouls: 6/10 

Under-14 Boys
Dallas Texans Red (N. TX) 2, Valley United Blast (CA-S) 3
Goal Scorers: Dallas Texans Red – Conor Doyle (29:00), Christian Valadez (59:00), Valley United Blast – Eduardo Gonzalez (11:00) (49:00), Dillon Short (54:00)
S: 9/10
CK: 4/3
F: 6/7

Under-15 Girls
Eclipse Select 90/91 (IL) 4, PDA Pride (NJ) 0
Goal Scorers: Eclipse Select 90/91 – Ali Hall (8:00), Annie Evans (34:00), Stephanie Iantorno (61:00) (69:00)
S: 16/0
CK: 3/2
F: 11/5

Under-15 Boys
So Cal United (CA-S) 4, FC DELCO Hammerheads (E. PA) 0
Goal Scorers: So Cal United – Evan Raynr (5:00) (66:00) (80:00), Russell Jackson (46:00)
S: 10/9
CK: 0/4
F: 14/23

Under-16 Girls
Real Colorado National (CO) 4, Edmond SC 90 Black (OK) 2
Goal Scorers: Real Colorado National – Jennifer Kmezich (38:00) (59:00), Karly Findorff (48:00), Janae Deas (54:00), Edmond SC 90 Black – Kaylie Garcia (55:00), Jordan Calhoun (62:00)
S: 10/12
CK: 3/1
F: 17/15

Under-16 Boys
Baltimore Casa Mia Bays (MD) 4, Concorde Fire Elite (GA) 0
Goal Scorers: Baltimore Casa Mia Bays – Michael Rose (37:00), Michael Lansing (41:00), Andrew Bulls (50:00), Christopher Agorsor (54:00)
S: 22/8
CK: 4/4
F: 9/3

Under-17 Girls
Eclipse Select 88-89 (IL) 4, Spirit United Gaels (E. PA) 1
Goal Scorers: Eclipse Select 88-89 – Jessica Price (18:00), (98:00), (108:00), Kelsey Lynch (115:00), Spirit United Gaels – Nicole King (43:00)
S: 18/6
CK: 10/2
F: 10/7

Under-17 Boys
Arsenal FC (CA-S) 3, Solar 89 SC (N. TX) 1
Goal Scorers: Arsenal FC – Hector Jimenez (20:00), Daniel Rodriguez (42:00), Daniel Ortega (58:00), Solar 89 SC – Casey Herd (2:00)
S: 16/14
CK: 2/8
F: 8/17 

Under-18 Girls
PDA Wildcats (NJ) 1, Dallas Texans 88 Red North (N. TX) 3
Goal Scorers: PDA Wildcats – Jessica Fuccello (36:00), Dallas Texans 88 Red North – Whitney Palmer (78:00) (90:00), Leslie Briggs (86:00)
S: 9/12
CK: 7/6
F: 10/12

Under-18 Boys
Chicago Magic 87/88 (IL) 0, Dallas Texans Red (N. TX) 0 (5:4 PK)
S: 9/11
CK: 4/5
F: 8/23

Under-19 Girls
Eclipse Select 86/87 (IL) 2, Colorado Rush Nike (CO) 3
Goal Scorers: Eclipse Select 86/87- Crysti Howser (53:00) (82:00), Colorado Rush Nike – Amanda Lathrop (13:00), Ameera Adbullah (23:00), Sarah Wagenfuhr (32:00)
S: 7/8
CK: 1/1
F: 15/20

Under-19 Boys
Arsenal FC (CA-S) 2, Javanon (KY) 3
Goal Scorers: Arsenal FC – Cesar Rivera (73:00) (90:00) Javanon – Danny Walcott (5:00), Dustin Downey (42:00), Darren Yeagle (89:00)
S: 20/11
CK: 3/2
F: 21/17


adidas Golden Glove and Boot Winners
Under-14 Girls
Glove-Makenna Henry-ISC Strikers
Boot-Julie McKee-ISC Strikers

Under-14 Boys
Glove-Jonathan Leon-Valley United Blast
Boot-Eduardo Gonzalez-Valley United Blast 

Under-15 Girls
Glove-Tayler Vancil-Eclipse Select
Boot-Chelsea Cline-Eclipse Select 

Under-15 Boys
Glove-Elmer Avelar-So Cal United
Boot-Evan Raynr – So Cal United

Under-16 Girls
Glove-Christina Palomino-Real Colorado National
Boot-Jennifer Kmezich-Real Colorado National 

Under-16 Boys
Glove-Daniel Louisignau- Baltimore Casa Mia Bays
Boot-Michael Rose-Baltimore Casa Mia Bays

Under-17 Girls
Glove-Kali Felereisel-Eclipse Select 88-89
Boot-Jessica Price-Eclipse Select 88-89 

Under-17 Boys
Glove-Joseph McCormack-Arsenal FC
Boot-Gerson Mayen-Arsenal FC 

Under-18 Girls
Glove-Colleen Pitts-Dallas Texans 88 Red North
Boot-Whitney Palmer-Dallas Texans 88 Red North 

Under-18 Boys
Glove-Patrick Rickman-Chicago Magic 87/88
Boot-Christopher Schuler-Chicago Magic 87/88 

Under-19 Girls
Glove-Jamie Scarcliff-Colorado Rush Nike
Boot-Amanda Lathrop-Colorado Rush Nike 

Under-19 Boys
Glove-Kelin Briones-Arsenal FC
Boot-Darren Yeagle-Javanon
 

2006 US Youth Soccer National Champions
Under-14 Girls
Elmer Ehlers Cup
ISC Strikers (CA-S) 

Under-14 Boys
US Youth Soccer National Cup
Valley United Blast (CA-S)

Under-15 Girls
Kristine Lilly Cup
Eclipse Select (IL)

Under-15 Boys
adidas Cup
So Cal United (CA-S)

Under-16 Girls
Patricia L. Masotto Cup
Real Colorado National (CO)

Under-16 Boys
D.J. Niotis
Baltimore Casa Mia Bays (MD)

Under-17 Girls
Laura Moynihan Cup
Eclipse Select (IL)

Under-17 Boys
Don Greer Cup
Arsenal FC (CA-S)

Under-18 Girls
Francis J. “Frank” Kelly Cup
Dallas Texans Red 88 North

Under-18 Boys
Andy Stone Cup
Dallas Texans 88 Red (N-TX)

Under-19 Girls
Ross Stewart Cup
Colorado Rush Nike (CO)

Under-19 Boys
James P. McGuire Cup
Javanon SC (KY)

US Youth Soccer Fair Play Award Winners
Under-14 Girls – ISC Strikers (CA-S)
Under-14 Boys – Valley United Blast (CA-S)
Under-15 Girls – Crossfire Premier (WA)
Under-15 Boys – So Cal United (CA-S)
Under-16 Girls – FC Greater Boston Bolts (MA)
Under-16 Boys – Not awarded
Under-17 Girls – Dallas Texans 89 Red (N-TX)
Under-17 Boys – Arsenal FC (CA-S)
Under-18 Girls – San Diego Surf (CA-S)
Under-18 Boys – FC Delco Crunch (E-PA)
Under-19 Girls – Colorado Rush Nike (CO)
Under-19 Boys – Weston FC (FL)