The U15 Northern Virginia Royals clinched the remaining South Atlantic berth into the Super Y-League North American Finals, finishing second in the division with an impressive eight wins, two losses, and a single draw over the regular season. The U15 Royals join six other previous qualifiers from the Northern Virginia Super Y-league program in their quests for a continental title. 

 

Already assured of a spot in the championships following a 3-0 win over Fredericksburg, the U15 Royals prevailed in their final game of the season to finish second behind division champion Alpharetta United and claim one of two guaranteed bids to the finals. The young Royals team split its results with Alpharetta over the regular season, falling 3-1 in Atlanta earlier in the year before topping United 3-0 at home in late July.

 

The Northern Virginia Football Club has increased its North American Finals bid count to seven teams from results over the 2010 Super Y-League regular season.  The Super Y-League club set its highest bid tally in 2009, sending nine teams to the United Soccer Leagues youth championship tournament last fall. With the elimination of the U17 South Atlantic Division for the 2010 season, it is unlikely that the club could equal their record.

Joining the five Northern Virginia teams that qualified earlier this month, the U16 NOVA FC girls team managed to edge out the Richmond Kickers for second place in the South Atlantic Division to gain entry into the Super Y-League Championships. The upstart squad earned a 1-1 draw and 1-0 victory over first place Triangle FC in the final weeks to grab the final divisional spot for the continental title tournament this fall.

 

The U16 NOVA FC team (6-2-2) swept their last three matches of the season to top Richmond by only three points in the South Atlantic Division and gain the trip to Tampa.  The U16 NOVA girls netted thirteen goals while only allowing two (from their sister team the U16 Northern Virginia Majestics) in their late season run.  An 8-0 result over local rival Fredericksburg showcased the goal scoring ability of the NOVA girls during their win streak.

 

To date, the Northern Virginia Football Club has earned six bids to the North American Finals from results over the 2010 Super Y-League regular season.  Several other teams await possible alternate or wild card selections awarded at the discretion of the USL to fill open tournament slots. 

Prior to the Saturday afternoon kickoff of the South Atlantic season finale, it was already predetermined that Northern Virginia would be sending the U15 South Atlantic representative to the Super Y-League North American Finals.  What remained to be decided is who that representative would be, as the Northern Virginia Majestics and the NOVA FC U15 girls were locked in a tight race for the division championship with Saturday’s face off against each other looming.

 

After a scoreless first half, the Majestics finally found a way to break through the solid NOVA FC backline to score two goals in the final twenty minutes. Majestics Autumn Berry and Niomi Serrano each struck late in the second half to earn the Majestics the 2-0 victory and the automatic berth in the North American Finals held this November.

 

The Majestics finished the season unbeaten, earning seven wins and three ties over the regular season. The offense improved over the 2009 season totals by scoring thirty-nine goals and only surrendering six. 2010 will mark the second year in a row the U15 Majestics qualified for the finals and winning their group in the South Atlantic.