Day 1 of 4 complete
Scores and Standings [link]
Daily Video Updates [link]

WILSON, N.C. (Dec. 2, 2010) – Elite youth teams from across the country in the Under-15, Under-16 and Under-17 Girls age groups kicked off the 2010-2011 US Youth Soccer National League season at Wilson Gillette Soccer Complex in Wilson, N.C. today.

Games are being played in conjunction with the CASL National Soccer Series college showcase and the NCAA Women's College Cup creating another significant opportunity for the nation's collegiate, professional and national team coaches to see National League players in an environment of meaningful play.  

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 and opportunities for exposure at the national team, collegiate and professional levels. In addition to recruiting opportunities, National League teams compete for the league title and two slots per gender age group to the annual US Youth Soccer National Championships.

Under-15 Girls
Defending New Jersey state champions Match Fit Chelsea Beat (NJ) opened up their National League campaign with a 2-0 victory over BRYC 95 Elite (VA). US Youth Soccer ODP Region I and youth National Team player Schuyler DeBree put Match Fit ahead just before the halftime whistle and Alexis DellaPietro added an insurance goal in the 72^nd to close out the victory.

SAC United Premier (MD), the defending Region I champions, went back and forth with Internationals (OH-N) before pulling out a 3-2 victory. Region I ODP player Danielle Hogarth put SAC ahead in the 26^th, but Caitlyn Patton leveled for Internationals immediately. Hogarth struck once again in the 37^th as SAC took a 2-1 lead into the break. Kathryn Waters knotted the score once again for Internationals nine minutes into the second half, but Imani Dorsey, also a Region I ODP member, scored the game winner in the 53^rd to deliver the victory for SAC.

Sockers FC (IL) are looking to improve on their 7^th place finish last year and started the '10-'11 season with a 2-1 win over Penn Fusion (E-PA). Michelle Poulsen put Sockers up in the 10^th minute before Olivia DiFonso leveled for Penn Fusion with just 10 minutes left to play. However, Kristen Dodson grabbed the winner with time running out to lead Sockers to an opening win.

Hurricane FC (OK) just missed out on a spot in the National Championships last year as they finished the National League season in third place and also lost in the Region III Championship. They are focused to make it this year as Madison Saliba lead Hurricane to a 5-0 victory over Blast FC (OH-S). Saliba scored two goals, in the 17^th and 67^th minutes, and Kristen Killion, Lauren King and Jasmine Pascoe added goals in the 7^th, 53^rd and 76^th.

Last year, Toro Bravo (NE) became the first girls' team to advance to the National Championships out of the state of Nebraska and they kicked off the National League season with a 1-1 draw versus last year's champion, NASA 12 Elite 2 (GA). Karlie Mueller put Toro ahead in the 4^th minute, but Region III ODP player Emily Sonnett drew NASA even just before halftime as neither team could notch the winner in the second half.

Buffalo Soccer Academy Invaders (NY-W) opened up with a 2-0 victory against Brentwood 94 Premier (TN). Catherine Williams got Buffalo on the board in the 72^nd and Jenna Panepinto added another in the 79^th for last year's Region I Championship finalists.

Upcoming Matches
Friday, Dec. 5, 2010

Keep up with the National League all season:
National League Home: USYouthSoccer.org/National_League
Schedule and standings: Tournaments.USYouthSoccer.org/events/2011-US-Youth-Soccer-National-League/
Twitter: @nationalleague
Facebook: Facebook.com/usyouthsoccer
You Tube: YouTube.com/usyouth

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About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer) – US Youth Soccer - "The Game for ALL Kids!^®" is the largest youth sports organization in the country and largest member of the United States Soccer Federation, the governing body of soccer in the United States. US Youth Soccer registers more than 3 million players annually, ages 5 to 19, and over 900,000 administrators, coaches and volunteers in 55 member State Associations. US Youth Soccer programs provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game. For more information, visit www.USYouthSoccer.org.

 

Media Request: When referring to the United States Youth Soccer Association, the largest youth sports organization in the United States, please refer to the association only as US Youth Soccer, and never as USYS or USYSA. We appreciate your cooperation.

About US Youth Soccer National League - Formed in 2007, the US Youth Soccer National League was developed as a path of advancement for the top teams from the US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues. In addition to meaningful matches, development and identification, the league created a direct path to the annual US Youth Soccer National Championships.  League play features the Under-15, Under-16 and Under-17 age groups for boys and girls who are seeking to advance their college, professional and U.S. National Team aspirations.  Learn more at /National_League/.