Tied first two game in play offs

After two days of Academy play-off action the Charlotte Soccer Academy (CSA) U16s are eagerly anticipating the match-up with Cal Odyssey to decide who advances to the National finals in Los Angeles next month. On day one CSA tied Real So Cal 2-2 while the Boston Bulldogs and Cal Odyssey tied 1-1.

Friday started in incredible style. Ben Kern hit a great through ball for Ben Burdon to race onto. Burdon skipped around the defender and pulled the ball back for Drew Brown, who redirected it back to Conor Keeley to finish. All within the first minutes of the game! Asa Kryst added a penalty to complete the scoring for Charlotte. The second half saw Real So Cal level the score in what became a very back and forth game. The first half certainly belonged to CSA but Real So Cal fought back well in the second half. Both teams had good chances to find the winner but in the end the honors were shared.

Saturday brought the match up with the Greater Boston Bolts. Boston struck first through an unfortunate own goal in the first few minutes, and from then on it was an uphill battle. With the heat, humidity and tiredness from the first day kicking in the U16s failed in the first half to play the same great soccer from the day before. Nonetheless the boys dug in and fought resiliently. In the second half the team slowly started to pass better, enjoy the ball more, and push for an equalizer. Our composure and determination finally paid off in the dying seconds when Conor Keeley scored his second of the weekend. Roland Minogue hit a set piece into the box only for Boston to half clear as far as Asa Kryst. Kryst then floated a perfect left footed cross back in behind the defense where Keeley controlled with his chest and then buried the volley. It was a great goal and a reward for the fortitude of the players. 

“Seven months after starting the year we find ourselves still alive, and playing to book a flight to the Nationals finals”, said Jeremy Gunn, the coach of the U16 CSA team. “Congratulations to the boys and thanks to everyone who has supported us in making this such a successful season”. Richard Butler, the CSA Academy Director added, “The boys have worked extremely hard over the last few months to put themselves into a position to compete at the highest level. It now comes down to one game to extend the season. It should be a great test”.

 

The U16 Charlotte Soccer Academy finished the regular season going 16-7-6 overall and in third place at 9-3-2 in the Atlantic Division (W-L-T). Academy. They are now 16-7-8 overall and are ranked number 15 in the play offs. The team will play Cal Odyssey from Northern California today at 11am at Bryan Park in Greensboro, North Carolina.