TAMPA, FL – (Monday, December 8, 2008) – United Soccer Leagues recently announced the All-Tournament Team for the U-14 Girls, who took part in the 10th annual Super Y-League North American Finals held November 21-25 in Tampa, FL. Super Y-League Finalists Richmond Kickers placed three players on the All-Tournament Team, midfielder Ashley Williams, goalkeeper Kirsten Hancock and defender Marie Johnston. Selections were based off the nominations of opposing coaches made throughout tournament play.
Tournament MVP Alexis Connors of the 16-0-1 Atlanta Silverbacks was the first selection to the 2008 U-14 Girls All-Tournament Team. She was named the team’s MVP by Head Coach Ignace Moleka following the team’s 2-0 victory over South Atlantic rival Richmond Kickers.
“Rob [Ukrop] and I were laughing before the final,” said Moleka. “We used to play against one another in the USL First Division and now we are facing each other as youth coaches.”
Moleka played four seasons for the Atlanta Silverbacks from 1999-2002. In 90 career appearances he found the back of the net 42 times and assisted on another 14 goals, an average of 0.92 points per match. Ukrop spent six seasons in the USL First Division from 1997, when he scored 12 goals and added three assists, to 2003. Ukrop totaled 35 goals and 19 assists in 164 career appearances and was inducted into the USL Hall of Fame in 2007. The South Atlantic stars have faced each other as Super Y-League coaches on three occasions with the Silverbacks holding a 2-0-1 advantage.
The Richmond Kickers U-14 Super Y-League team made a Cinderella run to the Super Y-League National Championship game, falling to the Silverbacks by a 2-0 scoreline last month. The first-ever Kickers team to compete in a National Championship, the U-14 Girls concluded a historic season as Super Y-League Finalists.
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 U.S. Soccer, the league is designed for talented youth players destined for professional or international careers. Through Olympic Development Program status events such as the North American Finals and ODP National Camps, the nation’s top players are identified for selection to U.S. National Team Programs. The 2008 campaign featured over 600 teams within the U13 – U17 boys and girls age groups competing within eight geographic divisions of the U.S. and Canada.
U-14 Girls All-Tournament Team
|
Position
|
Player
|
Team
|
| GK |
Alexis Connors |
Atlanta Silverbacks |
| GK |
Kirsten Hancock |
Richmond Kickers |
| D |
Marie Johnston |
Richmond Kickers |
| D |
Brianna Belsky |
Match Fit Academy |
| D |
Chelsea Jackson |
Coastal WFC |
| D |
Connie Gormley |
QuickStrike SC |
| D |
Heather Williams |
Kendall SC |
| M |
Isabel Farrell |
Washington Crossfire |
| M |
Katie Yensen |
Washington Freedom |
| M |
Lindsay Watkins |
QuickStrike SC |
| M |
Ashley Williams |
Richmond Kickers |
| M |
Sophia MacCagnone |
Alliance Academy |
| M |
Meghan Hussey |
Atlanta Silverbacks |
| F |
Corinne Harris |
Chicago Magic |
| F |
Chelsea Thompson |
Alliance Academy |
| F |
Cheyna Williams |
Atlanta Silverbacks |
