The Elite Clubs National League resumes its National Showcase Event Series in Chicago’s northern suburbs on Sunday, as the country’s top girls’ club teams conclude the 2011-12 ECNL season at the ECNL National Finals in Waukegan, Ill.
A weeklong event, the National Finals bring together the nation’s top teams in the Under-14, U-15, U-15, U-16, U-17 and U-18 age groups to crown the ECNL national champions, while giving players unparalleled exposure to hundreds of college coaches from across the nation. All matches will be played at the Waukegan SportsPark.
"The Road to Waukegan" began with the outset of the ECNL regular season in September, and crisscrossed the United States for five ECNL Showcase Events, which are a central part of the league’s mission to enhance the developmental experience of female youth soccer players in the United States.
Each event brings an estimated $3-4 million in direct economic impact to its host community. The series kicked off in Phoenix, AZ in October, then moved to the southeast in Sanford, FL. to close out 2011.
In February, teams gathered in San Antonio, TX and about a month later, another set of clubs took a trip west to San Diego. Last month the final showcase of the regular season took place in Zarephath, N.J. as clubs worked to secure playoff berths.
Each team at the U-15 and U-18 age groups participated in two national events, while each team at the U-16 and U-17 age groups participated in three of these events.
ECNL typically welcomes upwards of 300 college recruiters at each event, and scouts from U.S. Soccer are also in attendance, to identify and evaluate players for possible inclusion in United States Youth National Teams.
Good luck to our ECNL ’95 and ’94 players and coaches in Waukegan, IL this week for the Elite Clubs National League National Championships. This will be the last event of the 2011-12. The season began with some of our teams boarding a plane late on Dec 25th headed to Orlando, Florida and continued with stops in San Antonio, San Diego, and Northern CA. During that time our teams have played against some of the top teams and clubs in the nation.
Below is a brief summary of the performance of all teams. Each team competed in the six team northwest regional conference within the thirty-six team National B Flight:
The ’93s took 21st nationally and 5th in conference.
The ’94s took 4th place nationally and 3rd in conference. Because of their 4th place finish they will compete for the Flight B National Championship in Chicago, IL. Good luck girls.
The ’95s took 9th place nationally and 2nd in conference.
The ’96s took 5th place nationally and 2nd in conference. Finished undefeated and won GU15 ECNL National Championship Flight B
The ‘97s took 4th in conference and did not compete nationally. Finished 2-0-1 in the ECNL Championship
Sunday, June 24th
Seconds before the final whistle, Scott Halasz’s ’97 ECNL Winger Alea Gwerder fed the ball to Forward Reilly Treat who beat the defense & the keeper for a dramatic 2-1 victory vs Scorpions U14 ECNL.
Seth Spidahl’s ’96 ECNL took out Penn Fusion 6-0 in their opening match.
Monday, June 25th
’97 Jr. ECNL beat Carolina Elite Soccer Academy ECNL 2-1
Seth Spidahl’s ’96 ECNL beat Vardar ECNL U15 4-1
Tuesday, June 26th
’97 ECNL drew 0-0 with Challenge SC ECNL U14 to finish 2-0-1 in the ECNL Finals.
’96 ECNL beat Minnesota Thunder U15 ECNL to win their second national title in as many years!
Thursday, June 28th
’94 ECNL V World Class FC 5-4 in penalty kicks.
’95 ECNL defeated McLean Youth Soccer 3-1 in their opening match.
Friday, June 29th
’94 ECNL lost Mclean Youth soccer in the semi finals 4-2.
’95 ECNL defeated Richmond Strikers 2-0
Saturday, June 30th
’95 ENCL defeated Eagles SC 1-0
