Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Cleveland FC Girls Experience Unprecedented Success

COMMUNITY NEWS POST:Congratulations are in order to the ladies of Cleveland FC. On Wednesday February 2nd ,  fourteen Cleveland FC High School Seniors signed their National Letters of Intent.  This talented group of young ladies comes from all over Northeast Ohio make up the Cleveland FC 92-93s – the most successful team in Cleveland FC history. 

Through their hard work and dedication to both soccer and academics, the ladies from the 92-93 Cleveland FC team have earned over $2 million in scholarships, and will take their talents to their new teams all over the country.

Elizabeth Bollinger – Marquette
Taylor Burke – University of Florida
Jaclyn Campo – Ohio University
Brianna DeFelice – University of Arizona
Megan Giesen – University at Buffalo
Maura Gorman – Bellarmine University
Jillian Graff – University of Florida
Alaina Jordan – Slippery Rock University
Sarah Molina – verbal commitment to Maryland University
Katie Roberts – University at Buffalo
Allie Sirna – University of Tennessee
Kelsey Smigel – Dayton Univeristy
Chelsea Stalter – Marshall University
Nicolle Varney – Ohio University
Courtney Zanotti – Miami University


Coached by Pete Demonte, the majority of the team has been with Cleveland FC since they were under 10 years old.  The girls have been fierce competitors from the start… placing to the finals of every Ohio Youth Soccer Association North (OYSAN) State Cup since the U10division; and, winning 6 championships!  The team finished as Region II Champions (2009), Finalists (2008) and Semi-Finalists (2006).  In 2009, the team also represented Region II in the US Youth Soccer Nationals.
  
In Midwest Regional League competition, they have won the Premier Division three years in a row (U15, U16 and U17) – an unprecedented accomplishment, which no other Ohio North Soccer team has accomplished! 

In 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 seasons, the team was accepted as the only Ohio team in a pool of 8 outstanding teams in the USYS National League. 

Cleveland FC players have also made their mark in the ODP (Olympic Development Program.) All players from the squad (except for two) have participated in the ODP.  Each of the participating players made the State ODP team, with several qualifying for the Regional and National Pools.  They have participated in Regional events  as well as international squads that have gone to Germany, Portugal and Costa Rica to play.

During the High School season, the ladies also demonstrated outstanding leadership on the respective High School teams – they earned All-American honors, All-State honors and many other post-season awards.  Players from the Cleveland FC team have played in every State Championship game for the last four years ; with the last two being named State Champs.


OYSAN (Ohio Youth Soccer Association North is a non-profit organization dedicated towards teaching and actively promoting The sport of youth soccer, development of players, coaches and referees, as well as good sportsmanship and life skills for children and youth players of all levels of interests and abilities in a safe and healthy environment. Their website is www.oysan.org.
To learn more about Cleveland FC (Cleveland Futbol Club) visit their website at: www.clevelandfc.net.