ECNL Boys Regional League Selection Game highlighted by West Team’s second half surge

The stars of the ECNL Boys Regional League took the stage at Seminole Soccer Complex in Florida this weekend for the ECNL Regional League Selection Game. (ROSTERS)

The East snatched the early 1-0 lead in the 15th minute when Cole Martin (Boulder County United) converted a great finish at the near post off a corner kick.

The East held the lead throughout most of the first half until Perry Neuman (Sporting Iowa) fired home a great finish from inside the box to knot the game up going into halftime.

That goal before the half provided the West the spark they needed, as they were able to carry the momentum over into the second half.

In the 52nd minute, after a great pass into him, Max Cooper (Virginia Reign FC) put home a rebound from his initial shot inside the box to put the West ahead 2-1.

In the 71st minute, Eli Bush (Blast FC Soccer Academy) ripped a shot into the lower left corner from the top of the box to double the West lead at 3-1.

Just minutes later, Mykah Harris (Washington Premier FC) launched home the West’s fourth goal of the night to secure the 4-1 victory.

After the game, Cooper was named the Player of the Match, after he sparked the West’s strong second half with his goal. Cooper noted the goal before halftime gave the team the momentum they needed going into the second half.

“Scoring the goal gave us the momentum,” Cooper said. “We got our energy going. We talked at halftime and we figured it out together. We came out and brought the heat and that was the key to the win.”

Congratulations to Virginia Reign FC’s Max Cooper for earning Continental Tire ECNL Regional League Player of the Match ? pic.twitter.com/V1Rht0irdF

— ECNL Boys (@ECNLboys) February 3, 2024