Under-14 Girls Elmer Ehlers Cup

Under-14 Girls
FC Stars of Massachusetts v San Juan Spirits 94 Blue, 0:2 
Goal Scorers: SAN - Alyssa Jara (26:00), SAN - Kyla Booker (18:00)

CYSA Teams Achieve Success at National Championships

CYSA is pleased and proud to announce that the American River Youth Soccer League’s San Juan Spirits 94 Blue has been crowned the US Youth Soccer Under-14 Girls’ National Champion.  The US Youth Soccer National Championship Series concluded the 2007/2008 season’s event with the final week of play taking place in Little Rock, Arkansas from July 22^nd through 27^th.

With two wins and a tie ending their preliminary games during the final week of competition, a rematch of the earlier preliminary game that had ended in a tie loomed on the horizon.  The winner-take-all finale against their Massachusetts opponent lived up to its billing and proved to be the definitive moment  in an impressive championship series for the CYSA team which did not give up a goal all week.

Coached by Peter Prieto, the San Juan squad is comprised of 16 young athletes who have seen their soccer dreams come to fruition. Kyla Booker, Sonia Correa, Courtney Dedrick, Viviana Diaz, Emily Duff, Amanda Harrigan, Sarah Jansen, Alyssa Jara, Chelsea Ladd, Madeline Lummis, Mandi McBroom, Katelyn Rowland, Sofia Assvedra, Elaini Vargas, Haley Washburn, and Mireya Wathen-Mayorga started the quest in March, taking the team through 18 games in the National Championship Series (which includes all State Cup games and Far West Regional games as well as those at Nationals.) In State Cup the team amassed an impressive eight game winning streak which they carried with them into Far West Regionals where the team remained unbeaten. A 0-0 tie in their second preliminary game at Regionals was the only deviation from the team’s winning ways.  Scoring three 1-0 wins in the quarter, semi and final matches secured the team a berth at the National Championships where they wrapped up the NCS in impressive style and captured the ultimate prize.  Teammates Katelyn Rowland and Alyssa Jara were singled out for their individual performances as Rowland was awarded the Golden Glove Award for her outstanding performance at the goalkeeper position and Jara was the recipient of the Golden Boot Award for recognition of her goal-scoring prowess. Their National Championship Series record shows the Spirits 94 Blue racked up a total of 47 goals while holding their opponents to a combined total of six goals. 

Diablo Valley Black Pearl 90 also distinguished themselves in Little Rock by being awarded the US Youth Soccer Fair Play Award for demonstrating exemplary sportsmanship. After posting an impressive 7 wins and no losses record in State Cup, the Black Pearl bolstered their undefeated record at Regionals with five wins and one tie.  Including their games at Nationals they scored 42 goals along the way and gave up only 13.  Although they were unable to capture a win in three hard-fought preliminary games at Nationals, the team of Anthony Ahedo, Garrett Biel, Jose Cabeza, Jose Chaires, Harjan Cheema, Jaysen Dyal, Alejandro Lopez, Omar Ortiz, Juan Perez, Ryan Quigley, Adrian Rincon, Andrew Shapiro, Edwin Velasquez, George Valente, Edgar Villagrana, Scott White, and coach John Badger, proved that despite their disappointment this team should be proud of their achievements and the positive way in which they conducted themselves during the competition. Being selected for such high recognition is a great testament to a team that respects its opponents, honors the game, and brings players of character to the pitch.

The CYSA Board of Directors and Cup Staff congratulate both teams on their well-deserved achievements!

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