The latest accomplishment of the Internationals Soccer Club is in the form of winning THREE National Championships during the Super Y competition held in Tampa, Florida November 16th - 20th, 2007.
This past week we accomplished and achieved results unheard of until this point in time. Three of our girls’ teams, U13s, U15s and U16s, qualified for the Super Y National Championship by winning their division in league play this past summer.
We traveled to Tampa where we competed amongst the best this country has to offer. After three days of preliminary competition, we successfully advanced all three of our teams to the semi-final round of the competition. Our U13s finished group play with a 2-0-1 record and a goal differential of 7 goals for and 2 against. The U15s went 3-0-0 with a goal differential of 8 goals for and 0 allowed. The U16s also had a perfect record of 3-0-0 with a goal differential of 7 goals for and 2 against.
The semi-final games proved to be as tough as it comes, however, we rose to the challenge and all three of our teams recorded wins. The U13s won 1-0, U15s 3-0 and U16s 1-0. It was totally amazing and rewarding that we managed to qualify all three teams to the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP games!
The following day proved to be just as challenging and demanding, however our players responded with the commitment, pride and determination once more to prove themselves on the field of play.
After hard fought games all three teams recorded wins to be crowned as NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! Our U13s battled through two overtime periods and ended up winning in PKs. Meanwhile, Our U15s won 2-0 and U16s won 1-0.
At the conclusion of the five-day event, we walked away from Tampa with a combined record of 14-0-1. We scored 31 goals and allowed only 4. We came home with three (3) NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP teams! This is the first time EVER, that a single club has claimed three national championships within the same gender in the Super Y competition.
The performance breakdown for each team is listed below.
U13 Girls Championship
Link to original article
Cleveland Internationals v Washington Crossfire
FINAL - (3) 0 :: PK :: 0 (1)
MVP: Emily Morgan, Medina, Ohio
The Cleveland International’s shot at a second title on the day took longer than expected as they had to face a Washington Crossfire squad that was unbeaten on the season (9-0-1) and the lone squad to go 3-0-0 in group play.
After sweeping their group with just one goal allowed, Crossfire topped the Atlanta Silverbacks Jrs, the wild card semifinalist, 2-0 in the semifinals. After finishing 2-0-1 in their group, Cleveland had to down another unbeaten in Quickstrike SC, 11-0-3 on the season and 2-0-1 in group play, in their semifinal. Cleveland was also the first team to hand the 11-0-2 New Jersey Jr. Stallions their first loss of the year when they opened group play with a 4-0 victory.
Cleveland and Washington would take a scoreless stalemate all the way to penalties. Washington’s Julia Chusid and Cleveland’s Emily Morgan played the role of dueling netminders to perfection for matching shutouts, but Morgan proved the hero in the tiebreaker shootout.
Cleveland took a early 2-0 lead in the spot kicks before two consecutive misses left the score 2-1. That’s when Morgan herself stepped to the mark and knocked home the deciding shot from 12 yards for Cleveland’s second title of the day, leaving Washington unbeaten without a title. The championship was also the second U13 Girls title in three years for the club.
How did they qualify for the finals?
First Place in Midwest Division
Regular Season Record: 9-1-0
Regular Season Results
North American Finals Record: 4-0-1
North American Finals Results
U13 Roster
U15 Girls Championship
Link to original article
BW Rhode Island v Cleveland Internationals
FINAL - 0 :: 2
GOALS: CLE: Lani Smith (2), Solon, Ohio
MVP: Juliana Libertin, Akron, Ohio
The Cleveland International’s bid for a hat-trick of titles was on the line against BW Rhode Island in the third of their three finals as the second set of finals on the day were wrapping up.
The Internationals were the lone side to sweep group play in the bracket, going 3-0-0 with zero goals allowed. They then blanked the semifinal wild card 3-0 to reach the championship game. Rhode Island, meanwhile, finished 2-0-1 in their group and edged the Chicago Magic 1-0 to move onto the final.
Alana Smith had a standout performance in the final with two strikes in the first half, both assisted by Jordan Pawlik, as the Internationals took the decision 2-0 with Kelly King and the back line holding firm for the shutout victory.
The championship gave Cleveland three on the day, equaling the Chicago Magic’s record set a year ago when they won two boys and a girls title. Cleveland’s accomplishment set a record for girls titles in a year.
How did they qualify for the finals?
Tied for First Place in Midwest Division
Regular Season Record: 8-2-0
Regular Season Results
North American Finals Record: 5-0-0
North American Finals Results
U16 Girls Championship
Link to original article
City Islanders Academy v Cleveland Internationals
FINAL - 0 :: 1
GOAL: CLE: Danielle Hubka, Strongsville, Ohio
MVP: Desiree Aber, Akron, Ohio
TAMPA – The Cleveland Internationals began the day with three shots at adding to their club’s collection of Super Y-League North American Championships. Their U13, U15 and U16 girls had all found their way into the league’s title matches following the three days of group play and Monday’s must-win semifinal. The Internationals U16’s defeated USA 17 1-0 yesterday while their adversary in this match, the City Islanders downed MPS Cape Cod 2-1.
The Internationals looked to have a firm grip on the match early but it took Cleveland until midway through the first half to find the back of the net.
The goal came from Danielle Hubka, who began her run from her encampment in the midfield to the far left flank. From there teammate Michelle Mooren picked her out with a pass and Hubka delivered 1-0 lead.
The Islanders took most of the first half to regain their usual form but dominated the final ten minutes, turning the tables on the Internationals. Cleveland withstood the pressure without losing their 1-0 lead but had two very close calls that included a stuffed breakaway opportunity and a second near-miss picked out of the air by International’s goalkeeper Nicole Wood.
In the second half the Internationals had adjusted to the pace of Harrisburg and they held possession for the majority of the time. The City Islander’s defense was flawless in corralling Cleveland’s attack but the goal they sought continued to elude them. Cleveland attacked the clock nearing the final whistle and earned a kill as Hubka’s goal held up and the International’s won one of their three North American Titles of the day.
Because of her hard work at her sweeper position all day, all weekend and throughout the regular season, Cleveland International’s Head Coach Zdravko Popovic named Desiree Aber the U16 girls Super Y-League MVP.
“We have been working very hard all season for this honor,” said Aber following the match. “We gave up a lot of our plans this summer and focused primarily on soccer. It is great to see that it all paid off.”
“We are a very tight unit in the back,” added Aber. “A lot of times we find ourselves thinking and doing the same thing without even talking. Our communication is great and I do not have to go at it alone back there. We have two strong goalkeepers in Nicole Wood and Kristen Insana, two great outside backs with Michelle Mooren and Sarah Zawie and of course my stopper Melissa Timko. It is a team effort on defense.”
How did they qualify for the finals?
First Place in Midwest Division
Regular Season Record: 7-0-1
Regular Season Results
North American Finals Record: 5-0-0
North American Finals Results
U16 Roster
About the UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES
The largest organization of elite-level soccer leagues in North America, United Soccer Leagues is dedicated to growing the sport at the grassroots level in every community. The USL First Division and Second Division (North American men’s professional soccer), the USL Premier Development League (U23 North American men’s amateur), the USL W-League (North American women’s amateur), the USL Super-20 League (U20 North American men’s and women’s amateur) and the USL Super Y-League (North American boy’s and girl’s elite youth amateur) have provided a platform for thousands of players to reach their dreams since 1986. This vision and commitment to develop a soccer nation by fans, investors, administrators, coaches, and players has created the foundation for the growth of the sport, while presenting affordable, exciting family entertainment in over 100 cities and towns on the continent.
About the USL SUPER Y-LEAGUE
The USL Super Y-League is a professionalized system that is the first step for developing elite youth soccer players in North America. Affiliated with US Soccer and partnered with US Club Soccer, the league is designed for talented youth players destined for professional or international careers. The league contains the youth academies of USL First Division, USL Second Division, Premier Development League, W-League, and Major League Soccer clubs, as well as many of the established premier youth clubs. Through Olympic Development Program status events such as the North American Finals and National ODP Camps, the nation’s top players are identified for selection to US National Team Programs. The 2006 campaign features over 800 teams within the U13 – U17 boys and girls age groups competing within 10 geographic divisions of the U.S. and Canada.
About the USL SUPER Y-LEAGUE North American Finals
The USL Super Y-League North American Finals is an annual competition in which the best youth soccer clubs around the United States and Canada qualify for through the Super Y-League regular season competition within the various geographic divisions. Regarded as one of the top youth soccer events in North America, this five-day tournament includes over 140 of the best youth soccer teams in the US and Canada from U13 to U17 for boys and girls. Teams qualify from their respective regions and face the best from around North America in a quest to become league champions. The event will include over 5,000 players, parents and spectators. The 2007 finals featured teams from Ottawa to Miami with teams representing some of the top professional clubs in the nation such as Major League Soccer's DC United and Red Bull New York. The event has become a proving ground for players, with more than 100 college, national team, and professional scouts at the event.
This year's event began on Thursday, November 15th with the first day of matches being played on Friday, November 16th. Championship matches were held Tuesday, November 20th.
About the Internationals Soccer Club
Internationals Soccer Club Website
Internationals Club History
Additional links about the Internationals on the Super Y Site:
Cleveland Continues Run
Battle of the Unbeatens
Internationals Girls Ranked #1 in Nation by Super Y League
All Time North American Finals Results (Internationals won titles in 2004 U14 Girls and 2005 U13 Girls; did not compete in 2006)
