US Youth Soccer National Championships La Roca Team Previews
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.
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
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