Posted On July 29, 2014 by PUSC
With over 200 women’s college soccer coaches in attendance at 2014 Surf Cup, the Placer United U16 and U18 Girls produced some really strong displays.
The U18 girls, who have thirteen U17 players playing up. had a very tough bracket as they played all U18 ECNL teams. They opened up against West Coast FC, one of the top ECNL teams in the country and tied 1-1. In Game 2, the girls drew with the talented Mustang ECNL squad 1-1. With a chance to advance to the semi-finals, the girls needed a win against Real So Cal ECNL. It was a back and forth affair with both teams having a couple of great chances. Real So Cal scored with ten minutes to play and our girls pressed on the attack with multiple scoring chances but could not convert. The Real So Cal GK made a few unbelievable stops to preserve the win and advance. Real So Ca ECNL team made it all the way to the Super Group final and narrowly lost out 1-0.
The U16G 99 Gold also had a very tough bracket which contained two strong ECNL teams. They started the tournament off very strong with a 2-1 victory over Ahwatukee SC from Arizona. The girls were down 1-0 and came back with a vengeance, scoring two goals to seal the victory. In Game 2, the girls faced a good LV Heat ECNL squad out of Nevada. The girls came out flying and burst into a 2-0 lead. Heat ECNL FC clawed their way back and scored but the girls wouldn’t be denied a good victory over an ECNL team and stayed strong till the end. Game 3 saw the girls play eventual Surf Cup winners Arsenal ECNL out of L.A. Arsenal were very athletic, organized and had a lethal attack. The girls were down 1-0 at halftime but began to find a rhythm and create some scoring opportunities. Midway through the second half, the Arsenal left winger had a special moment and they went up 2-0. Placer then had to press forward and chase the game, throwing numbers forward into the attack. With a few minutes remaining as Placer was attacking, Arsenal broke free on a counter attack and scored the final goal of the game. The girls finished with two wins and one loss. But they can be proud of their performance especially against Arsenal ECNL girls team that went on to win Surf Cup.