U16 Girls Win National Championship!

FC NOVA - U16 Girls SuperNova Elite capture Idaho's first ever US YOUTH Soccer National Championship winning the National Presidents Cup in Des Moines, Iowa July 10, 2011.

Below is a recap of the Championship Series event where the four Regional Champions (East, South, Midwest and Far West) play for a National Title.

Earning the right to represent Region IV - Far West as champions proved to be a trip worth continuing.

July 7, 2011 - DAY I

FC NOVA (ID) faced the Region II Champions out of South Texas, Albion Hurricanes FC (STX). In a match overpowered by NOVA possession, skill, combination play and passing the finishing decisions lacked. NOVA netted two set pieces, one off a free kick from Rachel Earll that was redirected via Amanda Jones to Ylena Gazdik, who calmly served the ball back across the net to Baylee Blaser who volleyed to ball into the goal. The second half NOVA took a short corner and with a nifty combination via Hannah Hyde and Rachel Roegiers pulled the defense out with a Hyde service to Claire Goss who roofed the ball into the net with a combative header in the box. Albion FC scored with 3 minutes remaining off some complacent play by NOVA to end the game 2-1. NOVA get 3 points for the win and move on to face Eastern Pennsylvania (EPENN).

July 8, 2011 - Day II

Penn Legacy, the Region I Champions lost a hear breaker against Illinois on day one, conceding a header off a corner kick in the second half. Knowing the had to win to get points, NOVA was up for a challenge. After a scoreless 1st half of play dominated by NOVA possession the 2nd half started with a blast. PENN looked like it had a force field around their six yard box as shots were saved by the goalkeeper or just wide of the frame. Andie Hill finished far post upper corner from 15 yds on some beautiful combination play through the wing allowing Hill to break free, chop the ball behind pressure and sink the shot. The second goal came from a switched ball to a defensive midfielder joining the attack. Bethany Borup drove a ball on the floor far post, hitting the metal for "ping and in" goal from 12 yards out off center of the goal. NOVA rounds out group play against Schaumburg Premier (Illinois) who are 3rd in group only on goal differential with Texas South.

July 9, 2011 - Day III

Schaumburg Premier (IL - Region III Champions) were in a do or die against FC NOVA. NOVA sat atop the group with 2 wins, 6 points. IL and STX had 3 points and were 1 win and 1 loss after Illinios lost to South Texas on Day II. Polished and primed NOVA broke down the high line of the Chicago based club time after time. The initial goal at the 25 minute mark was off a nive combination play in the box between Hannah Frakes to Andie Hill and then back to Frakes who hammered a drive near post past the Schaumburg keeper. 6 minute laster midfielder Amanda Jones went solo from half field feinting a combination with the forwards by dribbling past the holding line at midfield. Racing through with everyone recovering the Illinois keeper rushed out of her box. Jones bent the ball past the onrushing keeper from 25-30 out. The ball curved past the keeper and landed in the side netting making it 2-0 NOVA. Final score was 8-0, NOVA finishing decisions solved on Day III. NOVA advance to National Championship Game - July 10, 2011 at James W. Cownie Soccer Park in Des Moines, Iowa.

July 10, 2011 - Day IV - National Presidents Cup Championship Game

Super Nova Elite (ID) came into finals day having won all three U-16 preliminary matches. Albion Hurricane FC 95-G Blue (S-TX) was hoping for a different result against the familiar opponent. The game very much mirrored the opening round of play with NOVA dominating possession but Albion's counter attack plan causing problems. Nicole Thompson cam up huge when an Albion striker turned to find herself 15 yards out and driving a ball near post upper 90. NOVA goalkeeper, Thompson stepped, dove and tipped the ball with outstretched arms to parry wide for a corner kick. In the second half, keeper Jessica Parker found a break away through ball misjudged by her backline and an on rushing Albion striker. Committing to the ball outside of the 18 yard box, which bounced one more time Parker jumped and headed the ball past the oncoming opposition out of danger. With 18 shots for NOVA again could not find the net. Two 15 minute overtime periods started with no goals scored in regulation. After no goals in regulation, a breath was taken and NOVA made quick work of ensuring a result. Claire Goss (assist Baylee Blaser) and Amanda Jones (assist Alyssa Graham) each scored for Super Nova in the first period of extra time to claim the championship for their team with a 2-0 victory. NOVA dominated possession for the remaining 17 minutes of play in overtime to capture FC NOVA and Idaho's first Youth Soccer National Championship.

The U16G SuperNova Elite would like to extend a special thanks to private donors, companies, car wash donations, Idaho Youth Soccer Association, Idaho Media (KTIK 630am, Fox 12 News and the Idaho Statesman), PUMA and the community for their support. Without it the trip would not have been possible.

GO NOVA...GO IDAHO!!!