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FRISCO, Texas (Dec. 31, 2011) – The 2011-2012 US Youth Soccer National League Under-15, Under-16, Under-17 and Under-18 Girls resumed league play at ESPN's Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Fla., today. Each division is represented by four of the league's eight teams per division age group this weekend, with the exception of all 12 U-18 teams who will complete their season in Orlando. This weekend of play will finalize league standings until the remaining four teams per division age group compete in Las Vegas, Nev., March 23-25.

National League teams are club soccer teams with an individual proven track record of success in US Youth Soccer regional and national competitions, and are among the nation's best. Games are being played in conjunction with the Disney Soccer Showcase, creating another significant opportunity for the nations collegiate and National Team coaches to see National League players in an environment of meaningful play, citing the competitive level of each game as every team has to earn their spot in the competition, regardless of hometown or club affiliation.

 

The league is an extension of the highly successful US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues (US Youth Soccer Region I Premier League, Midwest Regional League, Region III Premier League and Far West Regional League). The National League provides an avenue for teams to play in meaningful matches against top competition from across the country for continued development. In addition to recruiting opportunities, National League teams compete for the league title and two slots to the annual US Youth Soccer National Championships for the U-15 through U-17 age groups.

Some highlights from today's matches…

 

Under-15
Bethany Coons netted a hatrick for JB Marine Wipke (MO) in today's match versus NASA 15 Elite (GA) to not only lead her team to a 3-0 victory and into second place in the Red standings, but place her at the top of the goal scoring standings with five. Coons set the tone with a 3^rd minute strike and followed up in the 65^th and 75^th to keep JB Marine in the hunt for the title.

 

Sunrise-Weston Sting (FL) moved into third place in the Blue standings with a 2-2-1 record after a 2-1 victory over NSA Jaguars (IL), but still face tough odds of claiming the championship as both Kings S.A. (OH-S) and Match Fit Chelsea Colchesters (NJ) sit ahead of Sting with unbeaten records. Meredith Tunney put NSA in front in the 15^th minute, but Sting responded with goals from Dallas Dorosy in the 32^nd and Ashley Loeza in the 44^th to grab the win.

Under-16

KCFC Futura Academy (MO) jumped into the lead of the Red division with a 1-0 victory against West Florida Premier Arsenal Elite, but they are only one point in front of Internationals 95 Red (OH-N), who own the head to head advantage. KCFC's Savannah Trujillo scored the game winner in the 71^st to deliver for KCFC and put her one behind the league leaders with three goals this season.

 

Grand Rapids Crew Juniors Gold (MI) moved into a tie for second place in the Blue division after a 1-0 defeat of NASA '14 Elite (GA), however Crew need two more positive results to stay in contention. Natalie Knauf led the way for Crew, scoring the only goal of the game in the 51^st minute.

 

The top two teams in the Red division battled for top spot and Eclipse Select 94/95 (IL) came out 2-1 winners over Herndon Firecats (VA), as both teams sat locked at 2-0-2 atop the standings coming into the day. Abigayle Gearing struck first for Eclipse in the 63^rd minute and Katherine Treankler followed up in the 68^th for a two goal cushion, but Hanna Hannesdottir pulled one back in the 74^th for Herndon to set up a frantic finish that ended with an Eclipse victory. Eclipse is far from settled though, as Michigan FC 95 also won today and is just one point behind as the two will meet Monday.

 

The club must have fed their attackers well before today's games as Hannah Leinert became the second JB Marine Wipke (MO) player to record a hatrick Saturday, joining Bethany Coons of the U-15's, en route to a 5-0 victory over NASA 13 Elite II (GA). Leinert also overtook the top spot in the scoring chart with six total, and JB Marine moved into second place in the Blue division. Leinert scored her first in the 18^th and her goal in the 33^rd, followed by Alexis Boschert's goal a minute later, took the air out of NASA and Leinert and Madeline Orf finished off the scoring in the second half.

 

The Red division got some much needed clarity today as Toro Bravo (NE) broke out of a three-way tie for first place to claim sole possession. By defeating Empire USA Syracuse (NY-W) 2-1, coupled with a La Roca (UT) draw, Toro now holds its own destiny. Ava Ambrose put Toro in front just two minutes after the restart and Alexandra Massey extended the lead in the 85^th, but Emma Firenze brought one back with two minutes to play for Empire as they made a last minute charge to get a result. Toro will face LaRoca tomorrow for first in the division.

 

Haleigh Stremanos joined the hatrick party today leading, CSUFC Lady Renegades (FL) to a 3-0 win versus NASA 12 Elite II (GA). Stremanos scored on a 35 yard, upper-90 bomb inside the first minute to start things off, and followed up in the 21^st and 78^th for Coral Springs, which catapulted her into a tie for first in the scoring standings.

 

National League action continues Sunday, Jan. 1, at ESPN's Wide World of Sports with games at 1:00, 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. ET. For complete standings, scores and schedules, click here or go to http://tournaments.usyouthsoccer.org/events/2011-2012-National-League/. Follow National League on Twitter (@nationalleague).