LANCASTER, Calif. (June 19, 2009) – Carriages have turned into pumpkins for another 64 teams competing at the US Youth Soccer Region IV Championships in Lancaster, Calif. Only four teams remain in each age group as they prepare for tomorrow's semifinal matches and their chance at the lucrative slot in the US Youth Soccer National Championships in Lancaster, Mass., July 21-26, at Citizens Bank Fields at Progin Park.

The youngest age group at the Region IV Championships, the Under-12 Girls, all had close games today as they were seeking to take their place in the semifinal round tomorrow. In the Arsenal FC (CA-S) and LOSC Defeeters (OR) game, LOSC's Sara Garoutte put the first goal of the game in the net in the 28^th minute. Arsenal's Maegan Gibson soon evened the score in the 36^th minute. Tied after the half, both worked to find the finisher, but Arsenal was the only team to find success with a Hanna Armendariz 56^th minute goal. The game ended –1.

Pride Predators (CO) Under-12 Girls set the pace of the game when Hunter Peifer shot one past the Sereno 97 White (AZ) keeper in the 4^th minute. Sereno's Tessa Zaccagnio put one on the boards in the 21^st, but the Predators pulled ahead five minutes later with a goal. The Predators held off Sereno's offense and walked away with the 2-1 win and a seat in the semifinals where they will play Arsenal FC.

Defending US Youth Soccer National Champions, CO Rush Nike Under-19 Girls, slated a 3-1 win over Rio Vista (NM) to advance to the semifinals. Klarissa Ames had the lone goal for Rio Vista in the 17^th minute. CO Rush's Kathyn Russell also scored in the 17^th to tie the game, which is where it stayed until the 60^th minute when Danielle Foxhoven put CO Rush in the lead. Foxhoven was the 2008 US Youth Soccer adidas Golden Boot winner at the National Championships. Emalie Pfankuch finished off the victory with an 81^st minute shot. CO Rush faces the two-time National Champion team, Eagles SC (CA-S) in tomorrow's semifinal match.

WSM International (OR) slated their fourth win of the Region IV Championships with a 2-1 win over HSC Bulls (HI). Keith Lum gave HSC the early lead in the 10^th minute, but Jean Marie Mwanga tied the game in the 28^th minute and two minutes later, WSM took the lead, compliments of Mwanga's second goal. WSM looks to play Alante S.D., from local host State Association, Cal South.

Sereno White (AZ) and FC Barcelona (CA-S) were evenly matched in today's game. After goals from Sereno's Benjamin Raymond in the 28^th minute and FC Barcelona's Jonathan Prieto in the 88^th minute, the game remained tied 1-1 at the end of regulation play. In overtime, Norberto Rodriguez netted one for FC Barcelona in the 97^th and Sereno's Raymond had a 100^th minute goal for the 2-2 tie. The game came down to PKs, and Sereno came out on top to advance to semis where they will play LV Premier (NV).