Courage '95 Gold Girls Selected to State ODP Pool

'95 Pool:
Stephanie Bruns
Jordan Kestel
Emily Lung
Rachel Marion

'96 Pool:
Jewel Christian
Caitlyn Flores
Colleen Gawkins
Annah Lindberg
Niomi Serrano
Ashley Skertic

Congratulations!!

News - WAGS Tournament: PWSI Courage Gold cruise past California''s DMCV Sharks White

News - WAGS Tournament: PWSI Courage Gold cruise past California''s DMCV Sharks White

By Jenny Taylor
U-16 Showcase: PWSI Courage Gold '95 3-0 DMCV Sharks 95/96 White
Sunday, 09 October @ George Mason University intramural field #1
Prince William Soccer, Inc. has a long tradition of success. Perhaps the Northern Virginia club's most talented product, Ali Krieger, shined this summer at the FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany.

A five-time Virginia State Cup champion during her youth career, Krieger's penalty kick clinched one of the most dramatic wins in sports history for the U.S. National Team during their amazing match against Brazil in the Women's World Cup quarterfinals this summer.

Unsurprisingly, there are high hopes for the latest PWSI team to attract college scouts' attention, PWSI Courage Gold '95. The team holds the 2011 Region 1 title and a sixth-place national ranking – the only Virginia squad in the top 20.
In their last college showcase, the Courage netted 16 goals in four games to easily take the OBGC Capital Cup.

The story in their WAGS Tournament match on Sunday was no different. Courage Gold faced the DMCV Sharks of Southern California, who are ranked 231 spots below the Courage.

With three forwards up top and a solid midfield, it's no wonder the Courage have strong scoring records. Midfielder Annah Lindberg showed off creative moves in the middle for PWSI, but they could not place shots on frame.

Ashley Skertic finally gave PWSI the lead after rebounding her own corner kick and rocketing a shot to the near post. The Sharks did have several opportunities to tie the game before halftime, but lacked shooting accuracy.

Cassidy Rowell dominated the air for the Courage in the second half, scoring two consecutive goals off set-piece headers. By the final whistle, PWSI had notched an easy 3-0 win over the Sharks, who made a cross-country trip to play in this year's WAGS tournament.

Courage Gold settled for a 1-1 draw against HMMS Eagle FC Force on Monday, completing a 2-0-1 weekend mark having scored eight goals and allowed just one in their three games.

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ODP 2011-2012

Courage '95 Gold players selected for the Northern District ODP:

1995
Stephanie Bruns
Jordan Kestel
Jessica Leonard
Rachel Marion

1996
Jewel Christian
Caitlyn Flores
Colleen Gawkins
Annah Lindberg
Arianna Reichardt
Niomi Serrano
Ashley Skertic

Congratulations to all!

Virginia 96 ODP Girls Win Region 1 Championship

The Region 1 ODP Championship team includes Courage '95 Gold players - Caitlyn Flores, Annah Lindberg, and Ashley Skertic.  By winning Region 1, they have qualified to attend the ODP National Championship in March 2012.

Congratulations to Caitlyn, Annah and Ashley!!!

Lindberg and Skertic headed to ODP Regional Championship

The U15 Virginia team had 2 wins and a tie to secure a spot in the Regional Semi-final in Kirkwood, Delaware.  They defeated a tough Eastern PA team 1-0 with a breakaway goal by forward Ashley Skertic in the early minutes of the game.  In the high scoring game versus Western PA, a hat trick by midfielder Annah Lindberg helped secure the 4-4 tie.  Against Eastern NY, Skertic's early header found the back of the net.  The rest of the game was a hard fought battle with both teams having opportunities to score. 

If the team can defeat West Virginia in the semi-final, they will meet either Maryland or New York West for the Final.  The Regional Champions will then compete at Nationals in March 2012.

Best of luck Annah and Ashley!!!

Four Courage '95 Players Head to Rider Cup

The ODP Tournament, also known as Rider Cup, begins this weekend in New Jersey.  Four Courage '95 Gold players have been selected to represent Virginia against teams from the other states in US Region 1.  Region 1 extends from Maine south to West Virginia.

Emily Lung will participate with Virginia A in the U16 age group. Her team will play teams from Connecticut, Pennsylvania West, and Maryland.

Niomi Serrano will play for Virginia B in the U16 age group.  (They are a U15 team playing up for this tournament.)  Her teams will play teams from Eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Eastern New York. 

Annah Lindberg and Ashley Skertic are on the U15 Virginia team. Their team will play teams from Eastern Pennsylvania, Western Pennsylvania, and Eastern New York. 

Good luck Emily, Niomi, Annah and Ashley!!!  Go Virginia!

PWSI Courage '95 Gold Wins Premier League Championship!!

Pictured L - R:  GK Arianna Reichardt, 2nd row Rachel Marion, Ashley Skertic, Annah Lindberg, Niomi Serrano, Colleen Gawkins, Jewel Christian, Melanie Lytle, 3rd row - Coach Chris Jones, Thyla Peterson, Bertha Martinez, Jessica Leonard, Jordan Kestel, Emily Lung, Cassidy Rowell, Siobhan O'Toole & Asst. Coach Steve Huffman

The ‘95 Gold team rose above adversity to capture the Premier League crown for U15 girls.  Saturday’s match was against a tough World Class Soccer Team from New York.  Defender Jordan Kestel scored first on a long direct  kick perfectly placed.  Later in the first half, Niomi Serrano passed the ball to Melanie Lytle who fired a rocket past the keeper.  World Class refused to give up and tied the score in the 2^nd half.  The final goal was put in the net by Jewel Christian on an assist from Annah Lindberg.  The 3-2 victory allowed the Courage Gold to proceed to the Final on Sunday against Match Fit Chelsea from New Jersey.

 It was a battle of the unbeaten Premier League North and South Champions.  In the first half, Ashley Skertic placed a corner kick into the box and Annah Lindberg headed the ball into the net.  Both teams continued to battle until the final whistle, but the strong defensive play and goalkeeping prevented any other goals. 

Despite injuries and fatigue from busy high school soccer schedules, Courage Gold under the leadership of Coach Chris Jones dug deep, kept the focus on team, and found the collective heart and will to achieve a goal set back in the Fall.  This Championship qualifies the team to compete against the Region 1 state champions in late June for an opportunity to qualify for the National Championship.  The PWSI Courage ‘95 Gold would like to thank PWSI for their support and encouragement.

Gold Takes Shot at Region I Title

Article by Dave Utnik in News & Messenger on 4/19/2011

"Courage to battle for top spot - Face North Division runner-up CFC in Region I championships in Delaware."

"'Every game was approached with a mindset of win or go home,' goalie Arianna Reichardt said. 'From the goalie to the forwards, everyone is expected to perform at a high caliber.'"

"An undefeated record pretty much confirms that."

"Seven different players - Annah Lindberg, Colleen Gawkins, Emily Lung, Jewel Christian, Jessica Leonard, Jordan Kestel, and Niomi Serrano - scored at least one goal during league play."

"'The players were very excited to be accepted into the Region I Premier League and immediately set a goal to win first place,' Courage coach Chris Jones said. 'This team has great chemistry, athleticism, and tremendous talent.'"

"'We knew we wanted to make it to regionals,' (Thyla) Peterson said."

For the complete article and pictures:
http://www2.insidenova.com/sports/2011/apr/19/courage-95-gold-takes-shot-region-i-title-ar-983927/

Virginia ODP Teams Head to Germany

The Boys and Girls VYSA Olympic Development Teams from '96 and '97 are training and playing in Cologne, Germany over spring break. Pictured are Kaelyn O'Hop (Courage '96 Red), Ashley Skertic (Courage '95 Gold) and Annah Lindberg (Courage '95 Gold) at the airport preparing to depart.

PWSI U15 Girls Sweep Region One League by Storm

This past weekend the Courage 95 Gold team wrapped up First Place in the Region 1 Premier League South!  Congratulations Gold!!

For the complete article:
http://www.scribd.com/full/52759125?access_key=key-jqrbfv38nqfdgo8c9ts

Pictures courtesy of Gawkins Family
picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=110936138709969373350&target=ALBUM&id=5594091509454493553&authkey=Gv1sRgCOf3vr7rz97yOA&feat=email

Notes & Boasts - PWSI sending nine representatives to U.S. Soccer National Training Session

From:
Prince William Soccer, Inc and
Potomac Soccer Wire
March 31, 2011

This weekend 9 PWSI Players will have the opportunity to showcase their abilities against other top talents from around the Region in a US Soccer National Training Center Session.  The Girls representing PWSI will be Ashley Skertic (95 Gold), Caitlyn Flores (96 Red), and Megan Enos (96 Red).  The boys repesenting PWSI will be Joshua Cox (96 Red), Ryan Foley (96 Red), Gerson Umana-Alfaro (97 Red), Jamis Garay (97 Red), Miles Robinson (97 Red), and Zachary McMurrer (97 Red).[+]

"This is just another excellent opportunity for our players to learn, develop, and improve while having the chance of being identified for one of the U.S. Youth National Teams either immediately or down the road," said Aaron Brunner, PWSI's Director of Youth Development.
"Chris Brewer, US Soccer Regional Technical Advisor, will be in charge of the session who has a lot of experience working with many of our youth national team camps so he has a very good eye of what type or player(s) would be able to adapt and progress at the highest levels," he added. "Youth development is a long-term process and we all must be very patient and keep trying to improve. We do have some very talented kids coming through the system and we, as a club, are very excited to see what the future holds for these young players."

For the complete article:
 Notes & Boasts - PWSI sending nine representatives to U.S. Soccer National Training Session

Third Place at Jefferson Cup

After a disappointing Saturday, including a 2 - 0 loss against an excellent SAC team and a 0 - 0 tie with the NC Fusion Elite, our Gold found the goal on Sunday.  The '95 Gold team defeated World Class FC 95  with a score of 6 - 2.  Goals were scored by Jessica Leonard, Colleen Gawkins (2), Jewel Christian (2), and Cassidy Rowell. 

The consolation game was against Hockessin SC Blast.  After getting behind by a goal, Jordan Kestel scored a header goal off a corner from Ashley Skertic.  Emily Lung and Annah Lindberg also added goals.  The final score was 3 - 1. 

Excellent defensive play by Arianna Reichardt, Jordan Kestel, Siobhan O'Toole, Bertha Martinez, Thyla Peterson, and Rachel Marion kept the Gold in the games all weekend.

Congratulations Gold!!

Christian, Lindberg, Peterson, and Skertic Headed to National ODP Camp

Jewel Christian, Annah Lindberg, Thyla Peterson, and Ashley Skertic are headed to the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida to participate in the Super Y League Olympic Development Program (ODP) National Camp.  Each nominated player was identified as one of the top 2% of players in their age group from the 2010 Super Y season while playing on the U14 Northern Virginia Majestic team. The Majestics became repeat USL Super Y North American Champions last November.   The camp will be directed by Peter Mellor, U.S. National Technical Director. 
This is the 2nd time Annah Lindberg has been selected to the National Camp.  Last Spring, Lindberg's excellent play earned her a berth on the National Team Pool.
Congratulations, and good luck Jewel, Annah, Thyla and Ashley!

Four '95 Gold Players Selected for ODP Friendlies

Emily Lung, Annah Lindberg, Niomi Serrano, and Ashley Skertic will participate on Virginia ODP teams during the Williamsburg Friendlies.  They will compete against the top ODP teams from U.S. Soccer Regions I, II, and III. 

Stone Bridge sophmore, Emily Lung will participate with the '95 Virginia team.  She is a strong midfielder who played on the 2010 High School Championship team, and has played on the '95 Virginia ODP team for 4 years.  In 2009, she was selected to the ODP Region I Pool.  In 2010, she participated in the ODP Interregional National Camp.

Lindberg, Serrano, and Skertic will participate with the '96 Virginia teams.  Forest Park freshman, Annah Lindberg was selected to the USL ODP National Pool in 2010, and is returning to the USL ODP National Camp this Spring.  Lindberg is a scoring threat from forward or midfield positions. 

Colonial Forge freshman, Niomi Serrano has been a member of the Virginia State ODP Pool and participated in the ODP Regional Camp since 2008.  Serrano plays forward and relentlessly attacks her opponents' goals.

 Benton 8th grader, Ashley Skertic has been a member of the Virginia State ODP Pool since 2010.  Skertic, a quick footed midfielder, attended the ODP Regional Camp in 2010 and has been selected to attend the USL ODP National Camp this Spring.

Northern Virginia Gains National ODP Honors

Northern Virginia Gains National ODP Honors
Royals, Majestics, and NOVA FC Earn 30 National Camp Player Selections
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Taken from USLSoccer.com

United Soccer Leagues announced today the player selections for the Super Y-League’s Olympic Development Program (ODP) National Camps to be held at the IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida next February. Northern Virginia FC is well represented on the list of chosen attendees, claiming thirty spots in the national elite pool.

Each nominated player has been identified as one of the top players in their birth year, and among the top 2% of players in the previous 2010 Super Y-League season.

The Super Y-League ODP camp represents an elite group of players coming together to display their soccer talent and work ethic to collegiate and national team scouts. The ODP focus groups this year will be for the top players (216 Girls & 216 Boys) born in either 1994/1995 or 1996/1997. The additional lists showing those players born in 1992 & 1993 are posted to recognize the top players from those birth years. That list will be promoted to over 1,000 colleges as well as to the USSF National Staff or the Canadian Soccer Association.

USL National Technical Director Peter Mellor, who has spent the past 18 years as a member of the U.S. National Staff and 25 years as an ODP coach, will direct the camps.

“Our Super Y ODP program continues to offer talented players from throughout North America a chance to reach the next level,” Mellor said. “As a coach or as a player, whether you’re at the competitive youth level or the professional level, you want a great environment to play, train and compete in. There’s no better environment than IMG.”

Mellor is keenly familiar with the facility having been a longtime assistant coach for the U.S. Under-17 program, based at IMG. In addition to moving to the facility, Mellor is also aiming to upgrade the quality of experience and coaching for the players attending the camps, with IMG’s facilities offering a great setting to implement those improvements.

“One of the components we’re going to introduce this year for the first time is mental conditioning so our athletes understand the demands of the game and how to deal with them,” Mellor said. “We’re also going to film and analyze the players, and we’re going to provide a college recruitment seminar for players and parents to help them through the process.

“We’re also exploring the possibility of arranging exhibitions against international teams for our ODP All-Star teams on the final day of the camps, which is very exciting.”

Northern Virginia Football Club, comprised of the Northern Virginia Royals (male), Northern Virginia Majestics (female), and NOVA FC (male and female) USL teams, is represented by seven teams in the 2010 North American Finals as well as thirty-three players in the previous SYL ODP Camp pool.

Northern Virginia FC SYL ODP Camp Selections:

1996/1997 GIRLS
JEWEL CHRISTIAN
ANNAH LINDBERG
ASHLEY SKERTIC
ANNAGRET VENTER
TAYLOR WOODS

1994/1995 GIRLS
AUTUMN BERRY
MAGGIE CHAPMAN
NIKANYA CLARK
MEGHAN COX
MEGAN O’KEEFE
THYLA PETERSON
NICOLE SCHWEITZER

1992/1993 GIRLS
KATRINA GUILLOU
CATHERINE MACKLIN
SYDNEY MORRIS
KAILYN SLADE

1996/1997 BOYS
DIVINE KONI
RYAN LAM
JAMES LEE
PHILIP LITTLETON
ANTONIO MOSQUEIRA

1994/1995 BOYS
BENJAMIN FERRELL
DIEGO GALVIN
CHRISTIAN GUSMAN
DYLAN KATZ
NICHOLAS METZLER
ANTHONI TEOS

1992/1993 BOYS
KYLE BROPHY
AARON ETIENNE
MIKIAS ETICHA

Majestics Lead 12-Team Field To Tampa

Majestics Lead 12-Team Field To Tampa
USL Feature

TAMPA, Fla. -- The 12-team field for the Girls U14 Division of United Soccer Leagues’ Super Y-League North American Finals has been completed, with reigning U13 champions the Northern Virginia Majestics returning to try and add a second title at the tournament scheduled for November 19-23 in Tampa, Fla.

The Majestics picked up where they left off in 2009 over the summer, going 9-1-0 in the South Atlantic Division, the only tie a 1-1 draw in their opening game against fellow qualifier the Richmond Kickers. The goal the Majestics conceded in that contest was the only one they allowed throughout the season, outscoring their opponent 47-1 in 10 league games. Annah Lindberg led the Majestics offense with 16 goals.

While falling in their second contest with Northern Virginia, Richmond also had a strong summer, going 8-1-1 to finish three points behind the Majestics. The Kickers balanced squad saw eight players finish with multiple goals, Katherine Cousins leading the way with seven.

The side Northern Virginia defeated in last season’s U13 final also returns, with the Rage SC from Reading, Pa. winning Group B of the Mid Atlantic Division with a 9-0-1 record. Emily Diehl scored 10 goals in as many games for the Rage, who edged out fellow qualifier the Washington Freedom (8-1-1) by two points.

Match Fit Chelsea from Bayonne, N.J. won Group A in the division, losing only once in its 16-game schedule to finish with a record of 11-4-1. In a highly competitive group, MFC won almost half of its games by just a goal, including a 2-1 victory against group runner-up the Long Island Rough Riders on June 13.

Long Island also finished with only one loss, but finished six points behind MFC thanks to a large number of draws to leave the Rough Riders with a record of 8-7-1. Both teams will be joined in Tampa by the Perugia Grifos, who finished third in Group A. The Grifos finished ahead of Quickstrike FC on goal difference within their own group and held a higher point percentage than Group B third-place finisher Real Maryland FC to advance.

Coastal FC, which advanced to the U13 semifinals in 2009, won the Pacific Northwest Division, but it came down to the final day of the season for the club as it edged out Coquitlam Metro-Ford by a point as both sides drew in their final contests.

CMF earned four points from its contests with Coastal, but a run of draws allowed to Coastal to capitalize and take a one point lead for the only qualification berth from the group. On July 18, Coastal played to a 0-0 tie with Mountain FC, giving CMF an opening to jump them with a victory, but CMF were held to a scoreless draw on the same day by third-placed Thompson-Okanagan FC to send Coastal through.

Single teams also advanced out of the New England and Southeast Divisions, with Seacoast United claiming the berth from the New England Division with a 2-1 victory in their penultimate game against the MPS Lady Knights. Goals from Kendall Ham and Courtney Benson gave Seacoast victory and a seven-point cushion over the Lady Knights, who had only two games remaining.

West Pines clinched the berth from the Southeast Division in style, winning all eight of its games without conceding a goal. Melanie Monteagudo led the team with nine goals in eight games as 10 different players found the scoresheet throughout the season.

Rounding out the field are the two qualifiers from the competitive Midwest Division, which was won by the Chicago Fire Juniors from Michigan. The Fire finished with a record of 6-3-1 as eight points separated the top five teams in the division. The Cleveland Internationals finished a point behind the Fire, going undefeated through the season with a record of 5-5-0.

Both sides also had a pair of players who finished with six goals apiece, the Fire’s Isabella Fiorenzo and Mariah Otolski and the Internationals’ Marissa Milazzo and Emily Ogle all finishing tied for the league lead.

Current Rank from GotSoccer.com

Current Rank Change Championship
National Ranking Points 15509
State Ranking Points 16615
National Rank 17 (+32)
Region 1 Rank 4 (+13)
Virginia Rank 1 (+1)
Current Rank Calculated: 9/26/2010
Previous Rank Calculated: 8/27/2010

U13 Majestics Claim the 2009 North American Super-Y League (SYL) Title

From novasc.org

The U13 Majestics Super Y League team made up of the players from the NVSC Jr. Majestics 95 Gold travel team swept the competition and clenched the Super Y-League (SYL) North American Championship title at Ed Radice Soccer Complex in Tampa, Florida.

The U13 Majestics capped a perfect (12-0-0) 2009 Super Y league season with 35 goals for and just 1 goal against. The team’s record captured the South East Region and classified the Northern Virginia Majestics as the top seed going into the North American Championship Tournament.

The 2009 season centered on a well balanced team starting with a “Solid Wall” Defense (Goalie- Arianna Reichardt, Defensive Backs- Brianna Aldo, Olivia DuPont, Jordan Kestel, Bertha Martinez and Siobahn O’Toole), a “Controlling” Mid-Field (Maggie Chapman, Jessica Leonard, Ashley Skertic and Cassidy Rowell) and “Fast & Furious” Forwards (Jewel Christian, Dixie Johnson, Annah Lindberg and Thyla Peterson).

The U13 Majestics took their “shut them down and attack” formula into the North American National Super Y League Tournament and out classed their competition. Through teamwork and communication, they shut out their preliminary competition (3-0-0) with 8 goals for and 0 against. The Defensive Wall frustrated their opponents’ scoreless advances allowing the Midfielders to press the ball goal-ward to the “ever attacking” and focused Forwards. The team extended this formula into the semi-finals defeating Coastal FC (3–0).

The Championship game against Rage SC started quickly with the defense and midfielders controlling the ball and generating an early strike by Jewel Christian. The Defense kept the Rage out of their goal box for most of the game and a pair of goals from Annah Lindberg proved enough to capture the 2009 North American Championship (3-1). Lindberg’s efforts won her the SYL Tournament MVP. Coach Chris Jones, his first national title, praised the team's efforts, "Their teamwork and motivation lead to a classy tournament win."

The four-day tournament featured the top SYL clubs in the United States and Canada. The North American tournament title capped a perfect 17-0-0 season for Northern Virginia in the squad’s first SYL season.

Super-Y enhances the year round development of NVSC players and provides the opportunity to play Top Rated Nationally ranked teams. Teams train and compete over the summer season for the North American Finals held in November.