RICHMOND, VA – (Wednesday, October 25, 2006) – The Richmond Kickers U17 Boys Elite and U18 Boys Elite recently qualified for the Virginia State Cup Final Four. Both teams will now compete for the title of Virginia State Champions this weekend October 28 & 29th at the Hampton Roads Soccer Complex in Virginia Beach. The U17’s take on McLean at 11:00 am (Field #15) while the U18’s challenge Prince William at 3:00 pm (Field #16).
“We are very pleased that both teams play some of the best soccer at the most important point of their soccer development,” comments Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club Technical Director Ihor Dotsenko. “All the hard work that the boys have put in over the years is finally paying off. We wish both teams good luck in their games at Virginia Beach.”
The State Cup is a single elimination tournament open to all Virginia travel teams U12-U18. The U15-U18 girls and boys play in the fall, and the U12-U14 girls and boys play in the spring.
Kickers Alumni Making an Impact as Freshman
Several graduated players from the Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club Elite and Super Y-League program are experiencing success at the college level. Making an impact for their college teams, many former Kickers players are regular starters at their respective colleges. Standouts include Roger Bothe (William & Mary), Jordan Evans (University of Richmond), Tyler Suttenfield (VMI), Alex Silver (Old Dominion University) Niko Politis (John Hopkins), Jake Van Yahres (American), Price Thomas (William & Mary), Scott Robertson (Navy), Joseph Howard (Hampden-Sydney), Thomas Eacho (Randolph Macon), Michael Carter (Hampden-Sydney), Jason Malkiewicz (Virginia Wesleyan), Sarah McAulay (Jacksonville State), Kathleen Underwood (VMI) and Brittany Shumate (Christopher Newport College).
“The Kickers’ number one goal is player development and we pride ourselves on providing programs and teams that can prepare our players for the next level at Youth, College or Professional,” comments Richmond Kickers Head Coach & Director of Soccer Programs Leigh Cowlishaw. “It is fantastic to see so many of our current and past Kickers players competing with and against some of the best young players in the US.”
The Richmond Kickers look forward to many local players returning in the summer to represent the Richmond Kickers Future in USL Premier Development League (PDL), Richmond Kickers Destiny in the USL W-League and the Kickers U19 State Cup Team. Tryouts for both teams will be posted shortly.
