EDISON, NJ - You would think winning a North American Championship 5-4 in penalty kicks would be the primary reason for returning to a bi-national tournament. But Match Fit Academy’s U15 girls Head Coach Ashley Hammond is quick to point out defending a title is not the rationale behind his club’s unanimous decision to return to Tampa this November.

 

“When we got together to decide on going back to Florida this year – it was a quick decision,” said Hammond. “The girls had such an amazing time last season. The whole feel of the event was great.”

 

“I always call tournaments with two or three games per day wars of attrition. The Super Y-League Finals takes a more professional approach, only playing one game in a day. It gives skilled teams more time to reload. Anytime you play multiple games in a day and get tired, the first thing to go is the skill. It’s a big bonus for us and for the quality of play.”

 

“On top of that,” added Hammond. “My girls are getting to the age where showcase tournaments like these are vital to their college aspirations. I don’t think the Super Y-League North American Finals is at the top of that list right now, but it will be down the road because of its format. We did not see any easy teams last year. And any time you mention the word California – you know you are going to see a quality team.”

 

Match Fit Academy’s performance in the 2005 finals was bolstered by the play of U14 finals MVP Morgan Stith, a top performer at the SYL ODP Camp this past February. Also selected for SYL ODP status was teammate Madeline Malone.

 

“Morgan is special player,” said Hammond. “She’s a player with all the tools. Morgan excels on both the mental and athletic phases of the game. Plus she is quick. Madeline is more of a workhorse. What stands out about Madeline is her ability to use both feet at equal levels. She opens up options on both sides of the field for us when the ball is at her feet. None of our girls have fully committed to colleges yet but they are being heavily pursued.”

 

“The Super Y-League is putting out a quality product,” Hammond concluded. “Holding clubs to certain standards is important. I think we have taken our youth soccer in North America too lightly in the past. This system is what they have done in Europe for years and it obviously works there.”