Courier Journal

I ran across a really cool article today from the Louisville Courier Journal about Waggener High School Team. Great story, you should check it out.

High School Soccer Playoffs

With the knockout stage beginning this week, there is a bunch on the line. You can follow your teams progress by visiting the KHSAA site.

Also, I've seen a bunch of online video and audio coverage this fall, which is great for all of these players and teams. If your team is lucky enough to receive that coverage, congrats. I would anticpate that that the State Tournament will be covered, just a hunch.

UK Womens Game to Televised

The following information came across my email this morning. Sounds like great exposure for womens soccer here in Kentucky.

Kentucky fans will get an opportunity to see the UK women’s soccer team a little more this season as two of the Wildcats’ regular season matches have been picked up for television broadcast.

Originally scheduled for Friday, Sept. 12, Kentucky’s match at perennial power West Virginia has been rescheduled for Thursday, Sept. 11 at 8:00 p.m. as part of the Fox Soccer Channel (FSC) and National Soccer Coaches Association of America College Soccer Game of the Week.

In addition, UK’s October 5 match-up against Florida, in Lexington, will be televised by Fox Sports Net (FSN). That match is scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. (ET) start.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to give our fans across the nation a chance to watch UK soccer,” said head coach Warren Lipka. “And what better matches than West Virginia and Florida, two of the premier teams in the country, to showcase.”

The Wildcats, will resume pre-season workouts in preparation for their home and season opener on Thursday, Aug. 28 against the eighth ranked Texas Longhorns.

Javanon vs Lower Merion

Lower Merion scored early on in the second minute to take an early meeting. Will Vitalis equalized in the 26th minute to tie the game at 1-1.

The game just went to halftime. Hopefully the boys can come through in the second half to get their first win.

Brycen Howard puts Javanon ahead in the 71st minute. Weather is overcast today, and most likely the coolest day of the tournament. That saying a bunch since the current temperature is 95.

The game just went final. Javanon 2, Lower Merion 1. Reports say an outstanding effort was made today by Johnny Cantrell, who stepped between the pipes today in place of Taylor Hafling's, who was red carded yesterday.

Well done guys, you represented Kentucky well.

National Championships

Even though Javanon has not fared too well so far, just getting to the National Championships is a great feet. To get a full recap of the yesterday's mornings play, go here. To get more info on the evening matches, go here. Of course, if you visit this site, there is tons of information, videos, blogs, etc.

2nd Day in Little Rock

Javanon drew the early time slot this morning, but didn't get off to the start they had hoped for. YMS Xplosion from Eastern Pennsylvania got on the board early with a goal in the 18th minute. Still plenty of time left.

Report from Little Rock is the YMS scored on an own goal.

Game is at halftime and compared to yesterday, the weather is much cooler. YMS Explosion 1, Javanon 0. 40 minutes to go.

No goals in the second half, so Javanon loses 1-0. Unfortunately, more bad news, Taylor Hafling received a red card in the final minutes, so he will miss tommorrow's game.

Tommorrow's game is at 11:30 am against Lower Merion from Eastern Penn. Hopefully they can go out on a high note.

First Round of Play Complete

Scores, stats, video and more at official web site http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org

Register as a Championships Insider to receive daily updates from the championships

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (July 23, 2008) - Games kicked off early this morning for the 2008 US Youth Soccer National Championships at Burns Park Soccer Complex, in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Excitement filled the air as teams made their first push of the week towards a national title. Play started off with nerves and a lot of energy. Over 1,000 players will step on to the fields today and see if they have what it takes to be a national champion.

Tab Ramos, one of the most decorated players in U.S. soccer history, made his debut at the national championships as the head coach of the Under-14 Boys NJSA Gunners (NJ). Gunners took on Grand Rapids Crew Juniors (MI) where the New Jersey boys were successful 2:1.

There are four defending US Youth Soccer National Champions here this week. Among them, is Andromeda 90 (NTX) Under-18 Boys. This year adds an interesting dynamic to their strategy, since they are now defending a title rather than fighting for their first.

Team captain Anthony Gerhart said, “It’s just another game. We say we’re at nationals and we came this far, but when the whistle blows, it’s just a normal game like any other. We know that they know a little bit about us, but we come out thinking they are better than us, and we play like that.”

In their first game of the tournament, they faced Shattuck-St. Mary’s (MN). Shattuck started out with two goals early in the game, but there was still time for Andromeda to make their presence known after Shattuck’s second goal in the 47th minute by Samuel Asante.

Zachary Funk started the Andromeda come back with a goal in the 53rd minute. Down 2:1, Andromeda stayed in the game with strong defensive and offensive measures, but relief didn’t come until the 92nd minute.

“I knew that we needed it and I set up at the box when the corner kick was put in and I had a feeling it was coming to me. When it came my way, I just drove through it. I was sitting on the bench before I came in thinking, ‘I want to be the hero and save us.’ So, it was exciting to make the goal,” said Eric Frazier who scored the game-tying goal. “This year it’s a little bit different. I think the pressure is on because we’re the defending champs and we have that target on our back and everybody wants to come out and beat us.”

The second defending champion, Under-15 Boys Baltimore Casa Mia Bays (MD), not only won the US Youth Soccer Region I Championships but also qualified for nationals by placing as the top team from the inaugural US Youth Soccer National League. The new league sends two teams to nationals in the Under-15 and Under-16 age groups. Today they went up against the Boston Blast (MA) in a repeat of the 2008 US Youth Soccer Region I Championships and again came out on top (5:0). For the Bays, experience has proven itself.

The two defending girls champions weren’t as successful in their first day result. The Under-19 Girls Force Football Club (MI) faced off against the Slammers FC (CA-S) in a repeat of last year’s national championship final. The Slammers were determined to make up for last year’s loss and won today 3:2.

It was déjà vu for the Under-16 Girls So Cal Blues as they also relived their 2007 national championship final against the PDA Fire (NJ). The target on So Cal Blues was visible as Mary Gibson Wagner scored early (9:00) to put PDA on the board and the defense held with the keeper making eight saves.

Play resumes tonight at 7 p.m. Updated game results, stories and video are available throughout the day at http://Championships.USYouthSoccer.org. Teams are seeking a positive result through the round robin play which concludes on Friday. Teams are awarded three points for a win, one point for a tie and zero points for a loss. The top two teams will advance to play for the national championship over the weekend.

On Saturday, August 9, The US Youth Soccer National Championships Highlight Show, presented by adidas, will air on the Fox Soccer Channel, US Youth Soccer's official television partner, at 1 p.m. ET. The two-hour show will highlight the national championships providing feature stories, interviews, game highlights and much, much more.

For complete statistic, please go to http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org.