Dateline:  March 17, 2008, Myrtle Beach

Touted as one of the Top Five youth soccer tournaments in the Country, the 96 Boys Red made the trek to Richmond VA to participate in some of the toughest competition offered in the East.  This was an opportunity to see how the boys stack up against teams from northern Virginia, DC and Maryland, where top league competition is drawned from a player base supported by a population base of more than 4 million.  

The boys got off to a very good start in the group opener against CASL Elite Black that ended in a 4-1 result.  The afternoon match on Saturday pitted the boys against the Springboks out of Bethesda Maryland, who are the NCSL (National Capital Soccer League) Dvision I Fall League Champs.  Besthesda jumped out front early in the match with a full volley into the back of the net from a beautiful low cross from the left side near the baseline to the far post.  The 96 boys responded with three unanswered goals through the middle of the second half.  Besthesda fought hard to stay in the game and gained momentum advantage late in the second half scoring twice to end the match in a 3-3 draw.

At the end of the day on Saturday, the boys led their group with one game remaining.  In the final match in their group Sunday morning, the Richmond Kickers U11 Elite Boys jumped out  in front within a couple of minutes of kickoff.  But, that was all she wrote for the Kickers.  The 96 boys posted 4 unanswered goals clinching first place in their group and a berth in the finals.

The final match was a thriller.  Lots of missed opportunities by both teams, and lots of unbelievable saves, too.  The wind also played a role in the match.  It was like 8v9 when defending against the wind, and 9v8 when attacking with the wind.  Both teams fought hard.  The speed of play was fast and furious.  The 96 boys chosed to defend against the wind at the start of the match.  Great Falls Cougars, out of northern Virginia, pressed ruthlessly but were unable to put one in during the first half with the wind at their backs.  The first half ended scoreless for both teams.

Midway through the second half Marquel Bellamy fired one off from a break away that the Great Falls goalkeeper was able to block, but could not hold.  Marqie Weaver followed through and put the loose ball in the back of the net putting the boys on top 1-0,  The goal only made Great Falls more determined.  But, a fine performance by Jon Yarbrough as well as "Deven and Company" in the back kept Great Falls scoreless.  The boys sewed up the match with a set play engineered by Deven Golden and Cole Gulledge that resuled from a direct kick just outside the 18 yard box.  The  match ended 2-0, with the boys as Champions of the Elite Division.

Well done 96 Boys!!!

Standings and Results