New Jersey Youth Soccer enjoyed a great run at the US Youth Soccer Eastern Regional Championships in Virginia, highlighted by NJ Premier FC lifting the 14U Girls Trophy. Also finishing the regional tournament as finalists were Monmouth United Premier (12U Boys) and Torpedoes SC Red (17U Boys).
NJ Premier FC (14U Girls) opened the competition by going unbeaten in group play, recording one win and two draws on a 10-4 goal differential. Finishing the group level with Seacoast United Elite Navy (Massachusetts), teams met to determine their fates via penalties after all tiebreakers had been exhausted. NJ Premier FC secured their bid to the semifinals after edging Seacoast United in the shootout, 4-3. In the next phase, it was an all-Tennessee semifinal on their bracket, as Marlton SC Chiefs Premier also advanced into the elimination rounds. NJ Premier FC registered a 5-2 victory in that contest, setting up a pairing with Great Falls Reston Soccer Club Elite (Virginia) in the final. Again finding their offensive groove, NJ Premier FC emerged victorious via a 4-2 result, winning the 14U Girls Eastern Regional Championship and officially claiming their spot in the USYS National Championships later this month in Orlando, Florida.
Monmouth United Premier (12U Boys) advanced to the knockout stage after an unbeaten run in group play, registering a 2-0-1 record and 7-3 goal differential in their favor. Awaiting them in the semifinals was Vereinigung Erzgebirge SC (Eastern Pennsylvania), with the New Jersey side securing a spot in the final round following a 3-1 result. Monmouth United Premier then faced Coppermine SC (Maryland) in the championship game, and regulation would not be enough to determine a winner. Following a heartbreaking finish in an ensuing penalty shootout, Monmouth United Premier saw its deep tournament run conclude with the team finishing as finalists.
Torpedoes SC Red (17U Boys) also went unbeaten in group play, compiling a 2-0-1 overall record while outscoring their opposition, 12-4. After regulation was not enough to decide a victor against Steel City FC Elite 64 08B (Pennsylvania West) in the semifinals, the two teams headed to a shootout. A dramatic finish saw Torpedoes SC Red come out on top, advancing to a championship appearance with NY Hota Bavarian SC 2008 Blue (Eastern New York). Unfortunately, Torpedoes SC Red came up just short of their quest for the 17U Boys Trophy and ended their run as finalists.
The USYS National Championships Presented by New York Life is the country’s most prestigious national youth soccer tournament. The competition provides winners from each state with the opportunity to showcase their soccer skills against the best competition in the nation while emphasizing teamwork, discipline and fair play.
To find out more information about New Jersey Youth Soccer or to contact us directly, please email communications@njyouthsoccer.com. Also make sure to follow us on social media: @NJYouthSoccer