Teams will compete for berths to Nationals at next stage of National League events
Schedules & Results
Photos
ORLANDO, Fla. (Jan. 23, 2024) — Five exciting days of action at the Elite 64 Playoffs in Orlando, Fla., saw 45 girls teams qualify for National League P.R.O., while six sides claimed Playoff titles as the winners of the champions pool in their age group.
Elite 64 is the top club-based platform in the USYS National League. The Jan. 19-23 action took place primarily at Austin Tindall Sports Complex and ChampionsGate Sports Complex, and the event featured more than 160 girls teams across the 13U-19U age groups.
For the 14U-19U age groups, the Playoffs represent the first of two stages of National League events, which provide every competing team with an opportunity to ultimately advance to the USYS National Championships. The 45 teams that earned advancement to the next stage — National League P.R.O. — will play Feb. 23-27 in Tampa, Fla., for a chance to qualify to the National Championships.
“We’ve really enjoyed playing in the Elite 64 Platform. The competition just gets better and better with every game we play in,” said Coppermine SC 10G (MD) coach Sasha McNeeley after her team secured advancement to National League P.R.O. “…We’re looking to go and win when we go to Tampa. We want this. We’re just trying to pave our way and let everybody know our name.”
In addition to teams earning their place in National League P.R.O., six teams also won tournament competition within the champions pool of their respective age groups to claim Elite 64 Playoff titles. Coppermine SC led all clubs, as it claimed three of the playoff titles and finished as a finalist in another age group.
2024 Elite 64 Playoffs (Florida) | Girls Champions
*13U: Coppermine SC 11G Elite 64 (MD)
14U: North Shore United 10G Elite 64 (WI)
15U: Coppermine SC 09G Elite 64 (MD)
16U: Team Boca 08G Elite 64 (FL)
17U: Coppermine SC 07G Elite 64 (MD)
19U: Libertyville FC 1974 05/06G Elite 64 (IL)
*The 13U age group does not advance teams to National League P.R.O.
TITLE GAME RECAPS…
13U Girls
Three straight clean sheets helped Coppermine SC 11G Elite 64 (MD) claim the 13U playoff title, as it capped off its weekend with a 1-0 win over Team Boca 11G Elite 64 (FL) in the championship game. After a scoreless first half, Coppermine’s Ava Abarbanel found the back of the net in the 40th minute to put her side in front. The Maryland side relied on its stout defensive work to see out the remaining half-hour of play, as it secured the 1-0 victory.
14U Girls
A back-and-forth championship game saw North Shore United 10G Elite 64 (WI) defeat WNY Flash Rochester 10G Elite 64 (NY-W), 2-1, to earn the 14U playoff title. Madison Long put North Shore in front in the ninth minute, but Samantha Marmo equalized for WNY Flash shortly before the break to send the game to halftime with the teams level at 1-1. North Shore regained the lead in the 53rd minute on a Madeline Hammes goal, and that proved to be the title-winner, as the Wisconsin side held on for the 2-1 win.
15U Girls
Coppermine SC 09G Elite 64 (MD) saved its best performance for the title game, as it won, 5-0, against Charlotte SA 09G Elite 64 (NC). Caroline Marsh opened the scoring moments after the opening whistle, and Christiana Mitchell doubled Coppermine’s advantage with a 17th-minute strike. Mitchell later completed a brace when she finished off a move down the right wing with one-touch finish in front of goal. Catherine Ruopp added two late goals to cap the dominant showing by Coppermine that gave it the 15U title.
16U Girls
A tight title game saw Team Boca 08G Elite 64 (FL) defeat Coppermine SC Girls 08G Elite 64 (MD), 2-1, to win the 16U title. Coppermine took an early lead with an Audrey Lucas goal in the 10th minute, but Boca’s Morgan Tyrakoski quickly replied five minutes later to equalize. Midway through the second half, Julianna Liguori found the back of the net for the Florida side to clinch the win and the playoff title.
17U Girls
A third straight clean sheet for Coppermine SC Girls 07G Elite 64 (MD) awarded them the 17U title. Facing off against Lobos Rush 07G Elite 64 (TN) in the championship game, Coppermine jumped in front in the 21st minute when Samantha White found the back of the net. Sarah Ford added an insurance goal just before the end of the first half, helping Coppermine to a 2-0 victory and the playoff title.
19U Girls
After using a high-powered attack to advance to the 19U final, Libertyville FC 1974 05/06G Elite 64 IL)’s defense helped it secure the title with a 1-0 win over Madison 56ers 05/06G Elite 64 (WI). Piper Lucier netted the game’s lone goal when she found the back of the net in the 24th minute. The Illinois side’s defense quelled any late Madison attempts at an equalizer, as Libertyville held on for the 1-0 victory.
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Visit the National League website for more information on its national events and Elite 64.