US Youth Soccer Region IV

Field narrows for teams chasing US Youth Soccer Region IV Championships

Preliminary games day 3 of 3 complete

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (June 23, 2010) – Preliminary games are complete with 128 teams qualifying for advancement to quarterfinals on Friday, June 25, at State Farm Soccer Complex in Bernalillo, N.M.

Of the five defending championships, four [U-15G Mustang Blast (CA-N), U-17G So Cal Blues and De Anza Force (CA-N) and U-19G WSM Internationals (OR)] are advancing to the quarterfinals. Here's a look at how the reigning champions faired in today's matches…

2009 Region IV Champions
U-14 G *West Coast FC (CA-S) v THUSC Sodium, 1-1
U-17 G *So Cal Blues (CA-S) v HSC Bulls 93 (HI), 7-1
U-19 B *WSM Internationals (OR) v Boise Nationals (ID), 2-1

2009 Region IV and National Champion
U-17 G *De Anza Force 92G Blue (CA-N) v Neusport FC 93 Green (NV), 1-0

2009 National Champion
U-15 G *Mustang Blast (CA-N) v Arsenal FC (CA-S), 2-1

*Defending champion.

A few highlights from today's matches...

In a 5-4 win over Nevada's LV Premier, Alaska's CISC Velocity slotted their first win of the Region IV Championships. CISC's Morgan Hooe went on a scoring spree posting four goals in the first 30 minutes of the game. LV Premier put up three of their own thanks to Kylie Arrellano in the 2^nd minute, Shayee Swaine in the 21^st minute and Christene Whitaker in the 39^th minute. Ariela Lewis opened the second half with CISC's fifth goal in the 50^th minute, and LV Premier finished the 5-4 score with an 80^th minute goal by Arrellano.

Idaho's Boise Capitals and Sparta Premier of Utah were undefeated going into today's game. Mattison Long put one on the board for Boise in the 24^th minute and Cheyne Smith followed up with a second Boise goal in the 29^th minute. Down 2-0, Desdemona Weigle put Sparta on the board for a 2-1 half time score. Cheyne Smith closed up the 3-1 Boise victory in the 74^th minute to remain undefeated through preliminary games, with both teams advancing to the quarterfinals.

Leahi 95 Premier Under-15 Girls of Hawaii won their first game of the Region IV Championships today with a 3-2 victory over So Cal Blues Draluck. Isabelle Delgado and Daisy Pascua had 16^th and 22^nd minute goals for the 2-0 Leahi lead at the half. So Cal came back in the second with two goals by Madison Murray and Sydney Zuccolotto in the 45^th and 57^th minutes. Pascua polished off the 3-2 win for Leahi in the 68^th minute.

2009 Regional and National Champion, Mustang Blast Under-15 Girls of Cal North and Arsenal FC of Cal South were both sitting at the top of their bracket, undefeated going into today's match. Rachel Feldman's 25^th minute goal sent Blast into the half up 1-0. Ryan Walker extended the Blast lead in the 51^st minute and Arsenal countered with a 60^th minute Brooke Boothe goal for Blast to win 2-1 and remain undefeated; both teams to advance to the quarterfinals.

Columbia Timbers Under-19 Boys of Washington took the 3-2 first half lead over Boise Nationals of Idaho when Tarik Subasic posted a hat trick in the first 39 minutes. Christopher Voth and Michael Kafari scored Boise's 19^th and 36^th minute goals. The Timbers extended the lead to 5-2 with Subasic's 72^nd minute goal and another from Septimiu Daniu minutes later. Voth knocked in one more for Boise and the Timbers won 5-3. Boise advances to the quarterfinals as the second place team in their bracket.

Oregon's WSM Internationals came to regionals looking to defend their 2009 title and advance to nationals where they would get the chance to compete for the Under-19 Boys James P. McGuire Cup on its 75^th anniversary. Today's 2-0 victory over Hawaii's HSC Bulls keeps them undefeated through preliminary play to continue the mission of defending their title. Reid Sakamoto and Aaron Miyamoto scored the WSM goals in the 31^st and 35^th minutes.

Arizona's Under-19 Boys Sereno White slotted a 3-1 victory over Cal South's Albion SC to finish in the top of their bracket with a 2-0-1 record and advance to the quarterfinals. Neither team scored until after the 67^th minute when Sereno's Nicholas Ayers put up the first goal followed by a second goal in the 80^th minute. Blake Milton netted Sereno's third goal in the 84^th minute and Derek Taddie had Albion's 87^th minute goal.

Arsenal Colorado Gold Under-19 Boys completed preliminary play with a perfect record after defeating Santa Clara Sporting of California North 1-0. The teams were evenly matched, with Arsenal's sole goal not coming until the 83^rd minute compliments of Wade McDermott. Arsenal and Santa Clara both finished at the top of their bracket and advance to Friday's quarterfinals.