The final days of ECNL Girls Finals saw 10 National Champions crowned with five ECNL Girls National Champions and five ECNL Girls Regional League National Champions claiming the most coveted prizes in the ECNL. Below is a recap of all the National Champions.
U13 ECNL National Champions - San Diego Surf
San Diego Surf fell behind early in the second half when So Cal Blues grabbed a 1-0 lead off a great corner kick that was played to the back post and headed in. Surf battled their way back into the game though with a long distance strike that evened things up at 1-1. Late in the second half, Surf earned a penalty that was slotted home for the 2-1 lead, clinching the U13 ECNL National Championship.
U14 ECNL National Champions - Slammers FC HB Køge
Slammers FC HB Køge completed their run to the U14 ECNL National Championship with a 1-0 win over Legends FC. After winning their semifinal game over San Diego Surf 4-3, the National Champions proved not only could they win a high scoring battle, but they could also bring home a title through a strong defensive performance.
U15 ECNL National Champions - San Diego Surf
San Diego Surf captured their third ECNL National Championship of the season with a 2-0 win over Kansas City Athletics. Surf and Kansas City were scoreless through a tightly contested first half, before a Surf shot that ricocheted off the crossbar in the second half led to Surf earning a penalty kick. Surf converted from the spot to make it 1-0 and then added on a second goal to secure the 2-0 victory.
U16 ECNL National Champions - Penn Fusion SA
It only took just over a minute for the goals to start flying in during the U16 ECNL National Championship. In the second minute, Kate Kemmerley fired home a loose ball inside the box to put Penn Fusion ahead 1-0 early. Crossfire responded in the 15th minute on a great header from Summer Murphy to knot things up at 1-1.
In the second half, Penn Fusion snatched the lead back in the 55th minute with great buildup play and a wonderful finish from Ava Pascarella to make it 2-1. Penn Fusion then extended their lead to 3-1 on a strike from outside the box by Dylan Steinberg. Crossfire cut the lead down to 3-2 in the 80th minute on a goal from Vienna Whipple, but in the end Penn Fusion hung on to claim the U16 ECNL National Championship.
Kemmerley, who was named the Player of the Match, said she was so proud of how her team played all season. "I'm so proud of my team, all the support, and all the coaches. This is a surreal experience."
U17 ECNL National Champions - Beach FC
With an exceptional left footed finish from the top of the box, Avery Oder of Beach FC opened up the scoring in the U17 ECNL National Championship Game, putting Beach up 1-0 over Legends FC in the 29th minute of the match.
Just minutes later, Beach doubled their lead on an amazing individual effort from Mechal Green to make it 2-0. In the final minutes of the half, Beach tacked on a third from Skyla Wilkins to make it 3-0.
In the second half, Beach FC tacked on two more goals, with Oder and Wilkins each scoring their second of the game to seal up their National Championship victory with a 5-1 win.
"We came into this game with a great mentality to work for each other," said Oder, who was named the Player of the Match following her two goal performance. "Getting to win a National Championship has been my dream. This is so incredible and I'm so grateful."
U13 ECNL Regional League National Champions - So Cal Blues
So Cal Blues completed their run to the U13 ECNL Regional League National Championship with a 4-0 win over Solar SC in the title game. So Cal Blues was incredible on the defensive end throughout the Regional League Finals, posting clean sheets in all three of their games in Richmond, including a 2-0 win in the semifinals over Pateadores to get to the championship game.
U14 ECNL Regional League National Champions - Beach FC
Beach FC and Connecticut FC battled it out for the U14 ECNL Regional League National Championship. Beach advanced to the final after picking up wins over FC Dallas and PSA Monmouth in the previous two rounds, while Connecticut FC won games against Real Colorado Olympico and MVLA to book their spot in the title game. In the end though, Beach FC stood alone and captured the U14 ECNL Regional League National Championship.
U15 ECNL Regional League National Champions - Beach FC
Beach FC made it two ECNL Regional League National Championships on the weekend, as their U15 team also captured the title over West Side Alliance in the championship game. West Side Alliance advanced to the title game after a penalty kick shootout win over Solar SC in the semifinals, while Beach used another strong defensive performance to defeat Legends FC in their semifinal matchup. Beach proved to be too much in the final though and brought home their second ECNL Regional League National Championship of the weekend.
U16 ECNL Regional League National Champions - GTFC Impact
GTFC Impact got the scoring going early in the U16 ECNL Regional League National Championship Game. Lucy Ewing fired home a shot from a corner kick to grab the lead in just the third minute of the match. Minutes later, GTFC Impact doubled their lead as Olivia Gayhart converted from the penalty spot. GTFC Impact added on a third goal from Lauren McConnachie in the first half and took the 3-0 lead in the halftime break.
In the second half, Sting Dallas Black battled back and got a goal back, but it was not enough as GTFC Impact held onto their 3-1 lead to claim the U16 ECNL Regional League National Championship.
U17 ECNL Regional League National Champions - Legends FC
Legends FC and Albion Hurricanes played a tightly contested first half in the U17 ECNL Regional League National Championship Game, with both sides going into the halftime break scoreless. In the second half though, it was Legends FC who was able to open up the scoring with a goal from Litsy Alcocer to make it 1-0.
Legends tacked on two more goals in the second half from Kate Burns and Jennifer Alvarez to secure the U17 ECNL Regional League National Championship.
"This feels amazing. It's something we've always dreamed of," said Alcocer, who was named the Player of the Match. "I will never forget this team. They will always have my heart."
