CAL SOUTH CAPTURES TWO AT 2008 US YOUTH SOCCER ODP NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
1991 Boys Champion – Cal South
1991 Girls Champion – North Texas
1992 Boys Champion – Indiana   
1992 Girls Champion – Cal South

[from http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/]

March 10, 2008 (Frisco, TX) – Four 2008 US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program National Champions were crowned on Sunday, March 9 at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. These state-level US Youth Soccer ODP 1992 and 1991 teams, Under-16 and Under-17, earned their way to the US Youth Soccer ODP National Championships by way of winning their respective regional championships.

Cal South ODP had a lot to be proud of this weekend, representing all four Region IV teams and taking home two National Championships today. Indiana's 1992 Boys claimed Indiana's first US Youth Soccer ODP National Championship this afternoon. The 1992 Boys defeated Virginia for the title, 3:2.

Brief recaps from the championship final and consolation matches are below.

1992 Girls
"It was a tough game against the home team. It was a very physical game, but in the end we fought our way through. We separated ourselves with a fantastic strike," said Cal South's head coach Ranbir Shergill. "Being here (US Youth Soccer ODP National Championships) separates the girls as the top players in Cal South. They have the opportunity to be seen by a lot of college coaches and this is great exposure. Having (US Youth Soccer) ODP on your resume is big time."

Cal South went up against North Texas for the national title. North Texas won their match yesterday 7:1 and came out with great force. Cal South steadily challenged and Tawni Martino put one away in the 26th for the win.

"It is beyond belief. We have worked really hard to get through injury after injury. It's crazy to come out here and never lose a game," Cal South's Zuri Walker said. "I started just being the little girl who loved soccer and with (US Youth Soccer) ODP, I have grown and been able to reach the national level. With (US Youth Soccer) ODP, everything just opens up mentally and physically."

Maryland was in full-force as they battled Missouri in the 1992 Girls consolation game. Pamela Vranis netted the first goal of the game for Maryland in the 25th minute and teammate Francisca Okoko followed up with the second and final goal of the game (38th). Missouri remained scoreless giving Maryland the victory.

1992 Boys
No two teams fought as hard as the 1992 Boys Indiana and Virginia teams. Four minutes into the game, Jared Windt netted the first goal, but Indiana quickly matched it with a goal from Max Odgaard a minute later. Virginia pulled into the lead before halftime with a from Dylan Bowman (38th). A strong defensive presence from Virginia held Indiana scoreless until the 80th minute when Eriq Zavaleta put one in the back of the net, tying the game and stretching the match into overtime.

Overtime carried an all-time high level of intensity for both teams. Zavaleta scored the lone goal in overtime and went on to be awarded the adidas Golden Boot award for his outstanding performance on offense. "It's a great reward to be here and a great accomplishment to win," Zavaleta said. "I owe it all to my team."

Indiana head coach Kelly Findley said, "The best part is to see them grow and be stretched in this environment."

Cal South got off to an early start in the consolation match against North Texas with Daniel Castro scoring in the 14th. North Texas' Christopher Sendejas tied the match in the 29th. It was a physical match, but Cal South pulled through in the end. Moises Orozco scored in the 52nd for the 2:1 win.

1991 Girls
Defending US Youth Soccer ODP National Champions New Jersey maintained a 1:0 lead over North Texas for 65 minutes with a goal by Kelsey Long. The hometown North Texas team came back from the half with renewed focus and a new formation. Cortney Simmons pulled two back to back goals in the 65th and 67th.

North Texas Assistant Coach Jeff Hill said, "We knew New Jersey would be tough; they are fighters. At the half, we changed formation. We also told the girls that this is their last hoorah in US Youth Soccer. They should play this game for their coaches, parents and anyone else who helped them get to this point. To finish their youth career on this note is storybook."

"The players deserved the victory after six years of development in (US Youth Soccer) ODP," said North Texas head coach Gary Williamson. In regard to the benefits of participating in US Youth Soccer ODP in addition to competition with their club, he said, "The best players playing with and against the best takes these players to another level."

Minnesota and Cal South tied in consolation. Jacquelyn Ley kicked off the game with by putting one in the net for Minnesota in the 12th. Cal South rallied and scored two of their own with back-to-back goals from Callie Payetta (65:00) and Catherine Cabot (80:00). Ley came back and scored in the final minute to tie the match for Minnesota.

1991 Boys
Cal South's Head Coach Sean Roche said, "This was our best game played throughout the ODP season. We have steadily improved. We played a tough New Mexico team in Regionals to get here and credit has to be given to the boys. After only being together for a short time, their commitment to the game is great."

Cal South's play today was superior and they earned the national championship with a 3:0 win over Eastern New York. Nicholas Grigoriev found the back of the net in the 27th. Christian Ramirez earned his adidas Golden Boot with two scores in the second half (52:00)(84:00).

"Extra benefits for playing in (US Youth Soccer) ODP are number one to mix with better players. They are also exposed to superior play in tournament style and are exposed to a number of college coaches throughout all of the events. (US Youth Soccer) ODP give a new vitality to their play and an appetite for the game," Roche said.

Illinois 1991 Boys traveled to Texas with the goal of defending their title as (US Youth Soccer) ODP Champions, but that goal was lost yesterday with a defeat from Eastern New York. Today, they faced North Carolina in the consolation bracket. Illinois was the first to score with a goal from Kyler Albert in the 34th. The former champions almost held onto the lead through the end, but a goal from William Mayhew of North Carolina evened the score. Neither team was able to get a successful shot off in the final minutes of play leaving Illinois and North Carolina tied for the consolation.

US Youth Soccer ODP National Championships
Championship and Consolation Results
March 9, 2008

1992 Girls
Championship
Cal South vs. North Texas, 1:0
Goal scorers:
Cal South—Tawni Martino (26:00)

Consolation
Missouri vs. Maryland, 0:2
Goal scorers:
Maryland—Pamela Vranis (25:00), Francisca Okoko (38:00)

1992 Boys
Championship
Indiana vs. Virginia, 3:2 OT
Goal scorers:
Indiana—Max Odgaard (5:00), Eriq Zavaleta (80:00) (105:00)
Virginia—Jared Windt (4:00), Dylan Bowman (38:00)

North Texas vs. Cal South, 1:2
Consolation
Goal Scorers:
North Texas—Christopher Sendejas (29:00)
Cal South—Daniel Castro (14:00), Moises Orozco (52:00)

1991 Girls
Championship
North Texas vs. New Jersey, 2:1
Goal scorers:
North Texas—Cortney Simmons (65:00) (67:00)
New Jersey—Kelsey Conheeney (20:00)

Consolation
Minnesota vs. Cal South, 2:2
Goal scorers:
Minnesota—Jacquelyn Ley (42:00) (90:00)
Cal South—Callie Payetta (65:00), Catherine Cabot (80:00)

1991 Boys
Championship
Cal South vs. Eastern New York, 3:0
Goal scorers:
Cal South— Nicholas Grigoriev (27:00), Christian Ramirez (52:00) (84:00)

Consolation
Illinois vs. North Carolina, 1:1
Goal scorers:
Illinois— Kyler Albert (34:00)
North Carolina— William Mayhew (81:00)

2008 US Youth Soccer ODP National Champions
1992 Girls Champion – Cal South
1992 Boys Champion – Indiana
1991 Girls Champion – North Texas
1991 Boys Champion – Cal South

2008 US Youth Soccer ODP Golden Glove and Golden Boot Winners
1992 Girls
Glove – Chelsea Morales // Cal South
Boot – Tawni Martino // Cal South

1992 Boys
Glove – Joe Mills // Indiana
Boot – Eriq Zavaleta // Indiana

1991 Girls
Glove –Cortney Simmons // North Texas
Boot – Logan Reed // North Texas

1991 Boys
Glove –Robby Gogatz // Cal South
Boot – Christian Ramirez // Cal South

.