US Youth Soccer National Championships La Roca Team Previews

By La Roca | July 25, 2016 | 0
Group B Preview

The 2015 National Championships finalist, La Roca Premier PO (UT), scored more goals than any other team in the age group with 15 last year. The Utah side’s attack features U.S. Youth National Team player and 2015 National Championships Golden Ball Award winner Olivia Wade, in addition to Macy Martinez — who tied Wade with a group-leading four goals at last year’s National Championships — and 2015 National Championships Best XI player Anna Escobedo. Albion SC White (CA-S) surprised some by winning Group A at the 2015 National Championships after qualifying to nationals via third-place match at the Region IV Championships, but the 2015 National Semifinalists claimed a second place finish in the National League Blue Division and will attempt to improve on its semifinalist finish last year. Florida Krush Kraze (FL) and Syracuse Development Academy (NY-W) are the newcomers in Group B, but opponents would be foolish the underestimate the two sides. SDA took down defending Region I Champion and 2015 National Championships semifinalist FC Pennsylvania Strikers (PA-E) in the Region I Championships finals, while Florida Krush features U.S. Youth National Team player Cara Elmendorf and won its quarterfinals, semifinals and finals matches all by two goals at the 2016 Region III Championships.

National League Red 1: La Roca Premier PO (UT)

How they got to Nationals

La Roca Premier PO (UT) qualified to the 2016 National Championships by claiming the team’s first National League Title. La Roca won the National League Red Division with a 5-1-1 record while leading the age group with 24 goals scored. La Roca qualified to the 2016 Region IV Championships via the US Youth Soccer Far West Regional League Desert Division. La Roca and region rival Legends FC advanced out of Group D with 2-0-1 record, and the Utah side defeated hometown BNSC Premier (ID), 5-0, in the quarterfinals. La Roca took care of business against Utah FC 00 Black (UT), 1-0, in the semifinals before being edged out by Legends 1-0 in the finals.

National Championship Series History

State Champs: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

Region Champs: 2015

Region Finals: 2012, 2014, 2016

Region Quarters: 2013

2015-16 National League Red: Champion (5-1-1)

2014-15 National League Blue: Runner Up (5-2)

Player Accolades

State ODP: Olivia Wade, Sammie Murdock, Alyssa Ulugalu

Region ODP: Sammie Murdock, Olivia Wade

U.S. Youth National Team: Olivia Wade

2015 National Championships Golden Ball: Olivia Wade

2015 National Championships Best XI: Olivia Wade, Anna Escobedo

2014 National Championships Best XI: Olivia Wade, Alyssa Ulugalu

2016 Region IV Champs Top Scorers: Olivia Wade (1st)

2015-16 National League Top Scorers: Olivia Wade (Tied 3rd)

2015 National Championships Top Scorers: Macy Martinez and Olivia Wade (Tied 1st), Anna Escobedo (Tied 3rd)

2015 Region IV Champs Top Scorers Olivia Wade (1st), Anna Escobedo (3rd)

2014 Region IV Champs Top Scorers: Olivia Wade (1st)

College Programs

Kendyl Baker Loyola Marymount University
Anna Escobedo University of Utah
Rylee Hunsaker Weber State University
Trinity Kerr Weber State University
Sammie Murdock Utah State University
Grace Nelson Weber State University
Marli Niederhauser Arizona State University
Kendell Petersen Brigham Young University
Harlee Turnbow Weber State University
Olivia Wade Brigham Young University

Coach

Francisco Ovalle

U16 Red Champ - La Roca PO
Group A Preview
Former US Youth Soccer National Champion United FA Premier (GA) will head to its fourth National Championships with the hope of claiming its second National title and first since 2014. The former champions have a two-time National Championships Best XI forward in Carlos Reyes and a defense that surrendered only two goals in the National League. La Roca made the most of its first season in the National League as the Utah side was the only undefeated team in the age group en route to a 6-0-1 record and a National League Blue title. Strikers FC North (CA-S) will look to contribute to the claim that any team that wins a Cal South National Cup title is a team to be reckoned with, while Loudoun Red (VA) ousted two 2015 National Championships in its quest to win the 2016 Region I Championships, including 2015 National Championships finalist Fewster FC (VA).

How they got to Nationals

La Roca South CS 99/00 Premier (UT) qualified for the National Championships after winning the National League Blue Division with a 6-0-1 record. La Roca won the club’s first National League title and was the only team in the age group to go undefeated. The Utah side tied the National League record for the most goals in a season with 24, while conceding only three.

National Championship Series History

State Champs: 2014, 2015

Region Semis: 2014

Region Quarters: 2015

2015-16 National League Blue: Champion (6-0-1)

Player Accolades

State ODP: Isaac Edwards, Nathan Mumford

2015-16 National League Top Scorers: Cristobal Zamorano (Tied 1st), Agustin Asensio and Jose Pizano-Rodriguez (Tied 3rd)

Coach Info

Celso Santos
U16 Blue Champ - La Roca South
Posted in Tournament Champions

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