Three Connecticut Junior Soccer Association (CJSA) teams competed at the US Youth Soccer (USYS) National Presidents Cup in Tampa, with a pair of teams making CJSA history. The Wethersfield SC 15U Girls and Naugatuck 14U Girls became the first CJSA girls teams to qualify for the National Presidents Cup, with the Wethersfield SC 15U Girls further extending that history by becoming the first CJSA girls team to reach the semifinals of the national competition. Also representing Connecticut at the National Presidents Cup was the Stamford FC 13U Boys after they lifted the trophy for their age group at the USYS Eastern Presidents Cup in June.
“Congratulations to the Wethersfield 15U Girls and Naugatuck 14U Girls for making history as the first CT female teams to reach the USYS Presidents Cup Nationals,” said Josh Krusewski, Executive Director of the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association. “Special kudos to Wethersfield for advancing to the national semifinal. Also, congratulations to the Stamford 13U Boys on winning the East Region Championship and representing CT at the National Championships. Thank you to all of the families and local communities for your incredible support of these teams!”
The Wethersfield SC 15U Girls booked their spot in the National Presidents Cup after winning the Eastern Presidents Cup earlier this summer in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. They carried that momentum into the National Presidents Cup, going 2-1-0 with a 7-4 goal differential in group play. Next up was a meeting with WFC Rangers G10 Gold (Washington) in the knockout stage, where the Wethersfield SC 15U Girls completed their impressive postseason run as national semifinalists.
“This has been such an amazing, unprecedented historic journey for our players and staff,” said Luigi Guerrera, head coach of the Wethersfield SC 15U Girls. “To be recognized as the first girls team at CJSA to get to the National semifinals is an achievement we are extremely proud of. There are so many people who I want to thank for our success; CJSA for its continuous support starting with the Eastern Regionals as well as Nationals. The Wethersfield George D Ritchie Soccer Club for all of their financial support, and last but not least, our parents, who have sacrificed so much, starting with their fundraising efforts, their help organizing team meals and activities in an effort to provide an experience that these girls will have as they move on to the next chapter of their lives.”
Prior to the National Presidents Cup, the Wethersfield SC 15U Girls went on a five-game winning streak at the USYS Eastern Presidents Cup, lifting the regional trophy for their age group after defeating Arlington Soccer Association (Virginia) in the final via penalty shootout.
“Being at both the Eastern Presidents Cup and Nationals, and competing against some of the best teams around the country, was truly remarkable,” said Sofia Guerrera, who plays for the Wethersfield SC 15U Girls. “This was definitely the experience of a lifetime, one that I will never forget. While everything was so surreal and a bit nerve wracking, having my teammates there helped ease the pressure, and I’m going to miss them terribly.”
Joining theWethersfield SC 15U Girls in the CJSA history books is the Naugatuck 14U Girls, who saw their tournament conclude after group play in Tampa. However, that is no way dilutes the incredible postseason run that the team enjoyed. At the Eastern Presidents Cup, the Naugatuck 14U Girls recorded three clean sheets in group play to win their bracket. Next on the schedule was a semifinal pairing with Huntingdon Valley AA Union (Eastern Pennsylvania), where Naugatuck picked up a fourth consecutive shutout on a 3-0 result. The final match-up of the tournament was against Old Bridge SC Thunder (New Jersey), where a competitive battle resulted in a razor-thin 1-0 defeat to the New Jersey side.
“Competing on the regional stage brought out the very best in our young athletes,” said Luis Martinez, head coach of the Naugatuck 14U Girls. “We played great for five days and became the first ever girls team (until this season) from the CJSA to qualify for Nationals. We are so grateful to them for giving us a platform to showcase our talents.”
Coach Martinez then expressed his incredible pride in how the Naugatuck 14U Girls battled on the national stage.
“Competing at the National Presidents Cup was an amazing feat,” he confirmed. “Naugatuck proved it belonged with the nation’s best. This experience and lessons learned are far bigger than soccer. It will stay with them forever. It is also proof that there is still success to be had on the travel soccer level, and we are big proponents of that.”
Hosted by US Youth Soccer, the Presidents Cup provides a progressive, competitive environment for teams seeking a series of unique challenges highlighting competition, camaraderie and community.
To contact the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association, please call (860) 676-1161 or email office@cjsa.org. Also make sure to follow us on social media!