Pateadores SC 2008 Blue capped off an incredible run today at the US Youth Soccer Southern Regional Championships Presented by New York Life, defeating AFC 08B Black (STX) in the 16U Boys Final, 2-1. With the victory, Pateadores SC 2008 Blue joins NUSA 06G Maroon (19U Girls) as champions representing Tennessee at the Southern Regional Championships, which concluded on Thursday in Tampa and Auburndale, Florida.
Pateadores SC 2008 Blue (16U Boys) went undefeated at the Southern Regional Championships, winning six consecutive matches and outscoring their opposition by a tally of 26-5. They opened the regional competition with nine points (3-0 record) in group play and a 13-3 goal differential to earn the top seed in their bracket. They continued that momentum into the elimination rounds, first recording a dominant 7-0 victory over 08 NCF HPJ Gold (NC) in the quarterfinals before rolling to a 4-1 win over Nona Soccer 2008B Black Elite 64 (FL) in the semifinals. That result set up a Thursday meeting with AFC 08B Black (STX) in the 16U Boys Final, where Pateadores SC 2008 Blue closed the book on the Southern Regional Championships by lifting the trophy for their age group.
Four additional Tennessee State Soccer Association (TSSA) teams also reached the last day of the Southern Regional Championships on Thursday, advancing past group play before winning quarterfinal and semifinal match-ups earlier this week.
Coming up just short in their quest for a title was TSC Williamson 2012 Girls Showcase (13U Girls), who played up an age group throughout this tournament and earned their place in the final against HTX 12 (STX). TSC Williamson fell to HTX 12 by the slim margin of 3-1 this morning. Kononia Lady Fire 2009/10 (15U Girls) won five consecutive matches to reach the championship game in their age group, but they were unable to solve the riddle that was the MIFC 2009 Girls (FL) in the final earlier today. 2007 Lady Lobos Rush Elite 64 (17U Girls) also went on a five-match winning streak to open the Southern Regional Championships, but the back line of BVB International Academy Louisiana 07 G’s Yellow Elite (LA) proved to be a difficult code to break today in the title game. Also playing in the final for their age group was NUSA 07 Boys Maroon (17U Boys), who battled Strikers Miami FC 2007 Elite (FL) in the 17U Boys Championship this morning. Both sides played incredible defense throughout the match, but a lone tally for Miami FC eventually became the game-winner when the final whistle blew on this 1-0 result.
Southern Regional Champions now move onto the USYS National Championships in July at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. The USYS National Championships Presented by New York Life is the country’s most prestigious national youth soccer tournament.
