The Burlington Soccer Club Under 11 Girls and Under 13 Boys both won North Carolina Youth Soccer Association State Cup Championships Sunday at Bryan Park in Greensboro. The U11 Girls won the Challenge State Cup, while the U13 Boys won the Presidents/Kepner Cup.
The Under 11 Girls, coached by Tony Lagana, advanced to the finals with a dramatic shootout victory over the CASL Shooting Stars Saturday. Burlington and their Raleigh-based counterparts battled to a 0-0 draw through regulation and two overtimes before moving to a penalty kick shootout to determine the winner. Burlington goalkeeper Jennifer Ashworth proved to be the difference in the shootout and BSC advanced to the final.
On Sunday against Charlotte United, Melissa Matias tied the game 1-1 with a second-half goal. Neither team could produce the game winner in regulation or overtime, however, and the game entered penalty kicks. This time, Ashworth saved three of Charlotte United’s first four kicks, while her teammates buried their chances, giving Burlington the Challenge Cup crown.
The U13 Boys, coached by Gary Gartner, needed a dramatic come-from-behind victory over the Fuquay-Varina Flash on Saturday to advance to the championship game. Trailing 2-1 with less than 10 minutes remaining, BSC exploded for three goals and a 4-2 win.
In the championship match, James Ross scored with one minute left to give Burlington a thrilling 3-2 win over South Charlotte Soccer Association.
The Burlington Soccer Club has won three State Cup championships in the 2006-2007 season. In November, the U15 girls took home the Presidents Cup title. |
