NJ Youth Soccer crowns U12-U14 state champions

Bordentown, NJ (Via NJ Youth Soccer) ― On a sunny but windy fall day that challenged team’s skill and discipline, the top teams in the U12-U14 age groups competed for the title of the 2016 New Jersey State Champion.

Saturdays semifinals saw 24 teams compete for the 12 spots in Sunday’s finals. Only six could leave with the honor of being champion of their respective age groups in the 2016-2017 NJYS National Championship Series. For these teams, they not only win the championship title, but they also earn a chance to represent New Jersey against the best teams in the Region I Championship taking place next summer.

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“All of you should be proud of yourselves,“ Buddy Hart, NJYS Games Commissioner, told the players. “You are among the best players in the entire country.“ Not surprisingly, almost all of the finals were tight matches. Following his team’s comeback victory, Ryan Kuldanek of Real Jersey FC said, “We showed some great character today coming back from a 1-0 deficit. It was a complete team effort against a great opponent.“ Sophia Bradley of the NJ Stallions was deeply satisfied with being a state champion. “It just feels incredibly rewarding. All the hard work that we have put in over the last couple of months, has finally paid off.“

NJ YOUTH SOCCER NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES CHAMPIONS
U12 Girls: NJ Stallions Wayne 05 Blue
U13 Girls: SDFC 2004 Yellow
U14 Girls: NJ Crush FC Heat
U12 Boys: PDA Van Basten
U13 Boys: Real Jersey FC 2004
U14 Boys: FC Copa Academy 03 Black