Northern Virginia Sends another Team
Clubs total now up to four that will make trip to Tampa
Northern Virginia Press Release - www.novafc.org
Monday, August 4, 2008
DALE CITY, VA - The Northern Virginia Royals U14 Super Y-League team downed the Richmond Kickers 3-1 on Wednesday, claiming the South Atlantic Group B Division title and the automatic berth into the United Soccer Leagues Youth North American Finals. Joining Northern Virginia in the Super Y-League Finals is Group A winner Alpharetta United, whom the Royals fittingly tied 1-1 during the regular season.
It was a sweltering day as the boys took to the field against the upstart Kickers, who had won five of their last six games to be in contention for the division title. Both teams knew that this game was a make or break for either side, the winner advancing into the post-season while the other settling for an impressive second place in the group standings.
The Royals wasted little time exerting their desire to be in the finals, rattling off three unanswered goals in the first half. Newcomer Isael Diaz struck twice for the early advantage, and Tyler Guerra provided fireworks in the closing minute on a net screeching score from an unchallenged header assist by Tyler Kent to seal the end of a dominating Northern Virginia first half.
In the second half, the Richmond Kickers came alive by pressuring the Royals early on and scoring an uncontested goal from the far side off a beautiful cross. The Royals gathered themselves and shut down all attacks from that point on, controlling the middle and using the flanks to counterattack. For a game as physical as both teams battled, the character of each club showed through as neither rendered any cautions or ejections. The score held, and the Royals will move on to Florida for a shot at the U14 championship.
The U14 Royals finish the regular season in first with an 8-2-1 record and with the best goal differential, only allowing nine tallies against and scoring an impressive 31 goals.
The U15 Royals also cruised by the Richmond Kickers with a 3-1 result, keeping their chances for post-season very much alive. On the girl’s side, the U14, U15, and U16 Majestics all romped over their Richmond Strikers opponents to earn undefeated status for the Northern Virginia club on the day.
The U14 boys join the U16 and U17 Royals teams, as well as the U17 Majestics, in claiming division titles and earning advancement to the prestigious continental finals.
Northern Virginia Football Club, comprised of both the Northern Virginia Royals (male) and Northern Virginia Majestics (female) USL teams, is represented so far by a club record six teams in the 2008 Super 20 and Super Y-League North American Finals. Northern Virginia sent four clubs in 2007 and two clubs in 2006.
The USL North American Finals will be held in Tampa, Florida, and is scheduled to run from November 21st through November 25th. A total of 16 teams will clash at every age level in the boys Super Y-League’s U13-U17 divisions. On the girl’s side, 12 teams will meet from each of the five age divisions. The 2008 version of the Super Y-League finals is the greatest representative of elite youth talent in North America now that the league encompasses nine regions across the United States and Canada.
Complete match scores from Wednesday July 30th:
U14 GIRLS
4 – NORTHERN VIRGINIA MAJESTICS
1 – RICHMOND STRIKERS
U15 GIRLS
4 – NORTHERN VIRGINIA MAJESTICS
0 – RICHMOND STRIKERS
U16 GIRLS
4 – NORTHERN VIRGINIA MAJESTICS
0 – RICHMOND STRIKERS
U14 BOYS
3 – NORTHERN VIRGINIA ROYALS
1 – RICHMOND KICKERS
U15 BOYS
3 – NORTHERN VIRGINIA ROYALS
1 – RICHMOND KICKERS
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