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GREENSBORO, N.C. (June 28, 2017) – Five North Texas Soccer teams advanced to the US Youth Soccer Region III Championship finals after the semifinals matches concluded today. Four finals teams come from Solar Soccer Club, including both Under-15 Girls teams. Teams in the Under-13 through Under-19/20 boys and girls age groups competed at Bryan Park Soccer Complex in Greensboro, N.C. from June 23-29, 2017.
US Youth Soccer Southern Regional Premier League (SRPL) West winners in the Under-13 and Under-14 Boys and Girls age groups along with champions and runner-ups in the Under-15 through Under-19/20 Boys and Girls age groups joined State Cup Champions and select wildcards at the Region III Championships. Regional winners will then represent Region III at the 2017 US Youth Soccer National Championships held at Toyota Soccer Center in Frisco Texas on July 25-29.
The North Texas Soccer State Cup is the first step in the US Youth Soccer National Championships Series. Boys and girls teams in multiple age groups earn their way by competing against the top teams in their state and region. US Youth Soccer State Champions and selected wildcard teams are eligible to compete in one of four US Youth Soccer Regional Championships. The champions in the 13U through 19/20U age groups from each regional event will converge in the finals with the National League teams.
Under-15 Girls
The Region III Championship will be an all-Solar affair for the second straight year as defending regional finalist Solar Chelsea 02 Grado (TX-N) will take on Solar Chelsea 02 Naizer. Solar Chelsea Grado earned a spot in the finals with a 3-0 win against LSC 02 Red (TX-S) with goals coming courtesy of Erin Chung, Taylor Conway and Gabriella Lovkvist.
Solar Chelsea Naizer and CSA North Predator (NC) held each other scoreless during regulation, but CSA broke the scoreless stalemate in the first period of extra time. Solar Chelsea would respond in the second period when Kaleigh Naizer got free on the left flank and slotted a cross across the face of the goal to Tori Sorrels, who capitalized on the point-blank opportunity. Solar keeper Victoria Turner came up with two strong saves, and Kylar Kenter scored the final kick to reserve a spot in the finals.
Under-15 Boys
Solar Chelsea 02 Red Stricker continues its shut-out streak with a 3-0 semifinals win against Oklahoma FC 02 (OK) to advance to the Region III Championship finals. Captain Harvey Castro netted a brace to go with Reefe Harrison’s goal. Solar will play ID Club Division 02 (TX-S) in the finals. Both teams will advance to the National Championships due to Solar qualifying via the National League.
Under-16 Girls
Dallas Texans 01 (TX-N) got off to a 2-0 lead with goals from Rachel Brandt and Adrienne Bland, but SLSC Cosmos 01 (OK) would tie things up at two, and ultimately win in kicks from the mark.
Under-16 Boys
Both Solar Chelsea Elite (TX-N) and TSCH 01 Miller (OK) were unable to find the back of the net in regulation, but both sides scored within five minutes of the first period of extra-time with John Williams scoring for Solar. After the second period of extra-time ended with the game still level, the match was settled in kicks from the mark. Solar keeper Guido Peluffo came up with a big save and Samuel Coad buried his kick to send Solar to the finals.
Under-17 Boys
FC Dallas 00 Premier (TX-N) defeated 2014 National Champions Houstonians (TX-S) 3-0 to advance to the Region III Championships finals. Garrett Baughman, Alex Ramirez and Fabian Cruz all found the back of the net for FC Dallas, who will play CASL Red 00 North (NC) in the finals.
Under-18 Boys
FC Dallas 99 Premier (TX-N) fell to 2013 National Champions UFA 99 Premier (GA) in kicks from the mark. Guy Esquivel began the scoring for FC Dallas, but UFA would equalize in the second half. Neither team would score in extra-time, but UFA would prevail in kicks from the mark to advance to the finals.
Solar Chelsea 99 Sawyer (TX-N) got off on the right foot with Tanner Binion putting the North Texas side up 1-0, but Arkansas Comets 99 (AR) would counter almost immediately to knot the game at 1-1. A late penalty-kick goal would give Arkansas Comets the 2-1 win and a trip to the finals.