SOCA Travel teams completed an unprecedented sweep of league play championships this spring season, by winning over-all club titles at the Elite, Premier and Classic levels. This remarkable achievement is the result of consistently high quality throughout the club’s Travel teams, across all levels of play.
In the Elite level Club Champions League, the over-all club championship is determined by points allocated for the final standing of all teams, U12 to U18/19. The points are accumulated over the course of the entire soccer year. CCL is composed of 16 of the highest level clubs in Virginia, DC and Maryland, making it a nationally recognized regional league. More league info and standings here: https://clubchampionsleague.com/
The Skyline Club Soccer League, home to SOCA’s Premier and Classic teams, uses a point accumulation system similar to the CCL to determine the club champion at both the Premier and Classic level. The Skyline league serves the west central portion of Virginia, providing the highest level of competition at the Premier and Classic levels. Find more league info and standings here: https://www.socaspot.org/skyline-league/
Elite Win CCL
Three SOCA teams claimed division titles to lead the charge to the top in this highly competitive competition: Girls U15 Elite (undefeated, untied), U14 Boys Elite and U18/19 Boys Elite. In total, SOCA nudged out the nearest club competitor by four points to earn the overall crown. SOCA teams were remarkably consistent in their performance and the club has earned a reputation for high quality, skillful play and savvy coaching.
Charlottesville Premier Co-Champs in SCSL
The SOCA-Charlottesville Premier teams are co-champions with New River United for the spring 2019 season. Charlottesville and NRU are tied on 62 championship points each. SOCA-Charlottesville U13 Boys are division champions with a perfect 10-0-0 record, while the SOCA-Augusta U12 Girls also had an unblemished 10-0-0 record to lead SOCA-Augusta to an overall third place finish in the league standings.
Charlottesville Classic Tops in SCSL
Both the U12 Girls and the U14 Girls White squads were division winners, helping SOCA-Charlottesville outdistance the nearest club rival by 15 league points.
The comprehensive performance speaks to the success of the club mission, says Bill Mueller, SOCA’s Director of Soccer. “We have an intentional plan to provide quality soccer programming to all our participants, at every level. These recent club-wide successes are an indicator of SOCA’s commitment to that plan. The successes are a function of careful planning and long-term building, to be sure. They are also very definitely the result of talented players, thoughtful coaches, and supportive families. We’re grateful to all the people who commit themselves every day to supporting their child, their team and their club.”
With the conclusion of the 2018/2019 season, the focus now turns to planning and developing players in the next annual soccer cycle. “Each year presents new opportunity and new challenges. We have a restructured Skyline League to compete in, and new challenges in the CCL to face. We’re eager to develop our players to take on these new tests,” says Mueller.
SOCA Travel teams hit the road over the Memorial Day weekend, with different groups headed to destinations around the mid-Atlantic, making big impacts wherever the SOCA colors were represented. The holiday weekend is the traditional end-of-season test for the U11-U15 age groups, as they wrap up their campaign. Club wide results are impressive, showing a depth of talent and commitment throughout the organization.
SOCA Elite
The Elite teams headed to south eastern Pennsylvania, competing in the FC Delco Players Cup, measuring themselves against new opponents from more northerly locations. Over the weekend SOCA teams amassed 25 wins and four draws against only nine losses. Both the U12 Girls Apprentice and the U15 Girls Elite were champions, with the U12 Boys Apprentice and U14 Boys Elite reaching the semi-finals. Check all the results here: http://events.gotsport.com/events/Default.aspx?eventid=68305
Charlottesville Premier
The Virginia Cannon Cup in northern Virginia was the destination for this group, with eight teams making the trek and putting together 21 wins and four draws and only 12 losses. The U15 Girls Premier were champions while the U14 Girls, U15 Boys, U13 Boys and U12 Boys all claimed second place in their group. See all results here: https://events.gotsport.com/events/Default.aspx?EventID=71528
Augusta Premier
Seven Augusta Premier squads also headed to northern Virginia to compete in the long-established SYC Virginian Elite Soccer Tournament. The U12 Girls Premier were finalists and the U12 Boys Premier claimed the silver spot in a round robin format. Find all the results here: http://events.gotsport.com/events/Default.aspx?eventid=70206
Charlottesville Classic
Twelve local Classic teams journeyed east to compete in the Williamsburg Invitational, where they piled up 21 wins and five draws over 13 losses in tight competition. Both the U13 Girls Classic Blue and the U13 Boys Classic Blue went undefeated, each with perfect 4-0-0 records as they claimed championship titles in their groups. Check all the results here: http://events.gotsport.com/events/Default.aspx?eventid=67459
Over the Memorial Day weekend, 49 SOCA Recreation and Challenge teams battled for local bragging rights at the club’s annual Sunburn Tournament, held at South Fork Soccer Park and Charlottesville High School.
Nearly 700 players were involved in the traditional season-ending event, capping off a fine spring season with some hot action on the holiday weekend. Warm temperatures throughout both days made demanding conditions for the hard-working players, yet there was no lack of energetic enthusiasm on the soccer fields.
A real cross-section of the club was present; with 37 boys and 12 girls teams, in age groups U19-U10 representing both the Charlottesville and Augusta regions. It was a true soccer celebration with joyful sounds heard all across the playing fields.
South Fork Soccer Park hosted the U10 and U12 games, while the U15 and U19 groups played their matches on the Charlottesville High School fields. Both sites were abuzz as local kids showed off their developing skills.
Champions were crowned in ten divisions. To view all the standings and results, follow this link: https://events.gotsport.com/events/default.aspx?EventID=71234
On Saturday, May 4, both the girls and boys SOCA U13 Elite teams booked their passage to the VYSA State Cup semi-final round, with convincing quarter-final wins at home.
Starting the day in the 11:00 am match at South Fork Soccer Park, were the U13 Boys, who jumped to an early lead, and ended with a comfortable 3-1 win over Arlington. Led by coach Matt Rowe, the SOCA squad scored and generated several additional good scoring opportunities in the first half, before putting the game out of reach in the second stanza. Jamey Williamson, Ronan MacDonald, and Avi Shreves all notched goals for SOCA.
The SOCA U13 Boys Elite will face Alexandria in the semi-final match, at 10:00 am on Field #1 at the Virginia Soccer Training Center (VSTC).
Guided by long-serving coach Fran Lavin, the SOCA U13 Girls Elite team put on a dominating display over Alexandria later in the day in the friendly comfort of South Fork Soccer Park and posted a 5-0 win over the visitors. Two goals each from Reese Mattern and Natalie Johnson and a solo mark from Reese Coggeshall stamped the locals’ authority on the match.
The girls will face NVSC in a 12:00 noon kick off at the VSTC Field #1.
All semi-final matches are scheduled for Saturday, May 18 at the VSTC, with the winners advancing to the championship matches on Sunday, May 19 at the same venue.
For complete State Cup bracket information, follow this link: https://www.vysa.com/Default.aspx?tabid=2519875
SOCA’s Elite high school-aged boys teams attended the nationally recognized Jefferson Cup Showcase in Richmond, over the weekend of March 29-31. The U18 squad completed a three game sweep of opponents who range from coast to coast. The locals finished second in their Elite group of 12 teams, edged out of the top spot only on goal difference.
In their opening match on Friday, SOCA defeated Maryland United FC by a 3-2 margin. On Saturday, SOCA repeated the same score line against eventual third place finishers, San Francisco Elite Academy, from California.
Their closing match on Sunday capped a strong weekend showing with a 5-0 romp over Wilmington Hammerheads from South Carolina.
SOCA’s U17 Elite Boys completed the high level showcase tournament weekend with two 1-0 wins over Achilles FC (Maryland) and Lower Marion SC (Pennsylvania) after suffering an opening defeat to FC Europa (Pennsylvania).
All Jefferson Cup Boys Showcase results can be found here: https://events.gotsport.com/events/default.aspx?EventID=66909
The weekend of March 16-17 was a busy one for several sections of the SOCA Travel program. Teams headed off in various directions to jump start their spring season with tournament competition.
Augusta Premier and Classic squads made the trip to Stafford, VA where they competed in the Stafford St. Patrick’s Day event. The Augusta U12 Girls Premier claimed their division crown, while both the U13 Girls Premier and the U14 Boys Premier teams advanced to their division championship match.
SOCA Charlottesville Classic teams trekked to the Hunt Country Classic in Fauquier County, where the U12 Boys White and the U13 Girls White squads both made it to the final championship match before bowing out.
SOCA’s U11 and U12 Girls Apprentice teams, and the U13 and U14 Girls Elite teams made the trip to Richmond to compete in the Jefferson Cup, where they faced stiff competition in a competitive early-season event. The high-level tournament will launch the girls into their CCL spring campaign.
SOCA’s U18 Girls Elite team completed a three game sweep at the vaunted Jefferson Cup Showcase, featuring top teams from around the country. The Richmond based tournament is a high-level national event, which took place the weekend of March 22-24.
In pursuit of their three wins, the SOCA girls faced unique opponents, hailing from near and far.
In their first match on Friday, SOCA faced FC Stars from Massachusetts, and came away with a 3-0 win. The victory built confidence and set the tone for the remainder of the tournament.
On Saturday, San Francisco Elite Academy, from California, provided the competition. SOCA prevailed 2-1 over the west coasters.
In their final match, SOCA defeated their near neighbors, Richmond Strikers, 1-0, to close out the successful weekend campaign.
The spring 2019 campaign kicked off with some steep challenges and good results for the SOCA U13 Boys Elite squad, at the Jefferson Cup in Richmond. With snow and wet conditions limiting training opportunities prior to the nationally recognized event, the U13’s faced tough competition while trying to quickly acclimate to high level matches.
The local squad faced four opponents from four different states over the March 9/10 weekend. SOCA dropped their tournament opener, a 2-1 loss, to United Futbol Academy of Georgia in a closely contested match, while getting their legs adjusted to game conditions after the winter lay-off.
The second match on Saturday saw SOCA press for a 4-3 win over Maryland United FC, from the Bowie area. The result was a confidence booster, as the team rolled into their Sunday morning match and posted a solid 3-1 win over Charlotte SA of North Carolina.
The win put SOCA at the top of their bracket, and set up a championship final showdown against South Carolina United in the Sunday afternoon match. The boys from Carolina carried the day as SOCA legs tired, with a 3-0 final score line.
The opening tournament will serve to launch the team into CCL league play, which will begin on March 24.
Over the weekend of March 16/17, SOCA’s Girls U11 and U12 Apprentice, and U13 and U14 Elite teams will get their turn at the Jefferson Cup.
SOCA’s high school aged Elite teams have completed their 2018/2019 league play and have racked up success in all divisions, currently placing SOCA at the top of the club-wide table going into the spring season.
All eight of the SOCA U16-U19 boys and girls squads finished in the top four of their respective division. Leading the way are the U18 Boys with a first place finish and undefeated record. The U19 Boys and U16 Girls also hold the top spot in their respective divisions. The U17 & U18 Girls finished second in their group, U16 Boys & U19 Girls finished third and the U17 Boys claimed fourth place.
This remarkably consistent success in the state’s top league is testament to the comprehensive quality of SOCA’s players and coaches. SOCA’s ability to compete and succeed against clubs from much larger population centers results from thoughtful programming, a commitment to player development and continuing coach education. SOCA continues to attract quality players throughout west-central Virginia.
SOCA’s U11-U15 Elite teams will complete their CCL league play during the course of the spring season. First league matches of the spring are scheduled later in March. Final club-wide standings won’t be known until early June. The younger Elite teams will be eager to maintain the high standard set by their older club-mates.
Seven SOCA Elite players are named to the ODP East Region pool of players. The honor of selection to the regional pool allows players to participate in inter-regional matches under the scrutiny of top federation and college coaches.
SOCA has become a regular contributor to the regional squads as a result of the quality environment provided at the club level. Top players are attracted to join peers at SOCA where the training, retention and development enables players to advance their game to the highest level.
Members of regional pools are observed and evaluated for consideration at the national level.
Congratulations to these players for their achievements:
Henry van Wincoop (2002)
Brad Lagrua (2004)
Nigel McLaughlin (2004)
Taylor Diminick (2005)
Michaela Easter (2001)
Jaya Daniel (2003)
Catherine Domecq (2004)