Schedules, Scores and Standings | Day 2 Photos
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BARBOURSVILLE, W.Va. (June 17, 2018) – After two days of play, 28 teams have earned berths into the final matches at the 2018 US Youth Soccer Eastern Presidents Cup in Barboursville, W.Va. The three-day event will conclude on Monday, as the remaining teams compete for regional titles at the Barboursville Soccer Complex.
Sunday’s action in Barboursville began with the last games of group play, which saw the field of 112 teams cut in half as the advancing sides moved on to the afternoon’s semifinals. Following many exciting matches, two finalists emerged in each of the 12U through 18U Boys and Girls age groups — setting the stage for Monday’s finals.
Eastern Pennsylvania leads the way with 13 teams in the final matches, while New Jersey has seven and Maryland has five. Connecticut, Pennsylvania West and host West Virginia each have one team in the finals.
“To be able to be down here, representing the state of Maryland, we’re a small club so it’s a big deal for our community and club,” said coach David Jones, whose 18U Boys Liverpool FCIA Western Maryland (MD) advanced the Monday’s finals. “Getting to the national level is the goal. Everyone wants to get there. It’s the pinnacle, regardless of if you’re at the State Cup level or the Presidents Cup level.
“A lot of these kids have been with us for almost 10 years now. Half graduate and half come back. For those kids who have been here for all of their soccer lives, it means a lot to them. The fun they’re having from it and the experience they’re having is all very worthwhile.”
The Eastern Presidents Cup champions in the 13U through 18U age groups will earn a chance to advance to the 2018 US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup, July 11-15 in Westfield, Ind.
The tournament features teams from nine East Region State Associations, including host West Virginia. The other state associations represented include Connecticut, Delaware, Eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania West and Virginia.
The US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup offers teams the challenge of experiencing different types of play by competing from state to regional to national levels. The Presidents Cup provides teams with a progressive, competitive experience that highlights competition, camaraderie and community.
Group Play and Semifinal Recaps:
12U Boys
After finishing second in a tight Group A, SAC Premier Blue (MD) came away with a 4-2 win in the semifinals to earn a spot in the 12U Boys final. The Maryland side will meet CHSC Knights (NJ), which advanced as the second team out of Group B.
13U Girls
The combination of an early goal and a late goal propelled Pipeline Black (MD) to a 2-0 victory over Wethersfield Breakers (CT) in their semifinal match. It took just three minutes for Abigial Lee to give the Maryland side a 1-0 advantage. That goal held up for a majority of the match before a strike from Wesleigh Dartnell gave Pipeline some breathing room in the 60th minute. A late Breakers attempt off of a corner went inches wide of the right post, and Pipeline held on for the shutout. The Maryland side will meet STA 2005 EDP (NJ) in the final.
14U Boys
After an early burst of offense, Farmington Indians (CT) and United (PA-E) settled in and eventually had their 14U Boys semifinal decided by a shootout. United jumped in front in the second minute thanks to a strike from Mikeal Palmieri. It didn’t take long for Farmington to reply, as Colin Wright netted a 13th-minute equalizer. The defenses took over from there and the game eventual went to kicks from the mark with that same score line. Farmington keeper Paolo Mangiafico made an save in the shootout, and Jared Young powered the winning kick inside the left post to help the Connecticut side advance to the final, where it will meet ASA PGSA Real Barza 04 (MD).
15U Girls
After falling behind early, New Jersey Rush 2003 Grey (NJ) fought back to earn a 2-1 win against Centre Union 2003 (PA-W) and move on to the final. Centre Union jumped in front in the 10th minute when Falen McHenry found the back of the net. New Jersey pushed for an equalizer and produced one in the 23rd minute, as Briana Audet hit a rocket from 30 yards out the beat the keeper. The teams exchanged chances until Rush scored the game winner in the 57th minute, courtesy of Lauren Edgar. New Jersey will face HFC Ready 03 (PA-E) in the final.
16U Boys
The most dramatic game of the first two days of play came courtesy of the semifinal between HMMS Eagle FC Force (PA-E) and Pipeline Soccer Club Black (MD). HMMS’s Patryk Nitecki and Pipeline’s Oliver Hogg exchanged goals in regulation to send the match to overtime tied at 1-1. In stoppage time of the first overtime period, a Pipeline cross was partially cleared but fell to Isaiah Abdiruhman, who slid a shot into the left corner to put the Maryland side in front. Pipeline was seconds from victory, but HMMS played a direct ball toward the box that William Gallagher ran onto and fired into the far side netting. The 110th minute goal sent the game to kicks from the mark. In the shootout, HMMS keeper Patrick Algatt produced two big saves to help the Eastern PA side take the 3-2 (4-3 PKs) victory. HMMS will face fellow Eastern PA side VE Green Gunners (PA-E) in the final.
17U Girls
The excitement in the 17U Girls age group began in Group B, where East Coast Premier Soccer Academy (NJ) earned a 1-0 win over FC33 2001 (WV) in a win-or-go-home scenario. The teams were evenly match and both sides produced some chances in the first half but neither broke through. IN the 59th minute, Taylor Campangna took advantage of a bouncing ball that got past the FC33 keeper and nodded a shot into an open net. That proved to the be game-winner, as East Coast secured a semifinal berth. In the semifinal round, East Coast came up short against Rage United Comets (PA-E), who will face Montgomery United Bombers (PA-E) in Monday’s final.
18U Boys
Strong defensive efforts have helped Liverpool FCIA Western Maryland (MD) advance to the 18U Boys final, as it defeated Epic 00 Blue Warriors (WV), 2-0, in Sunday’s semifinals. Noah Iager put Liverpool in front with a strike at the half-hour mark. Dylan Baer doubled the lead midway through the second half when he took a bouncing ball out of the air and hit a left-footed strike inside the near post. Liverpool keeper Connor Blair made an immediate save on a good look from Epic, and the Maryland side held on for the shutout victory. It will face Ocean Township United Spartans (NJ) in the final.
For complete event results for the Eastern Presidents Cup, click here. For more information on all US Youth Soccer Regional and National Presidents Cup events, visit the US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup Homepage at www.usyouthsoccer.org/presidents-cup.
Note: The US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup is a separate series of events from the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series.