ECNL Conference Review | Northeast Conference
RICHMOND, Va. (March 10, 2015) – The Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) is the top female youth soccer competition and development platform in the country, consisting of seven conferences across the United States and 77 member clubs.
ECNL conference competition is the heart of the ECNL, and the primary method by which teams qualify for the post-season ECNL Play-Offs each year. ECNL conference games feature some of the most heated rivalries in youth soccer, and winning an ECNL Conference Championship is a matter of huge pride for every player and club.
“The ECNL Member Clubs within the Northeast Conference are very competitive, with recent statistics further defining the quality of players that come out of this league.” said Mick D’Arcy, Director of Coaching for FSA FC. “The Elite Clubs National League has impacted player and coaching development within FSA FC in a positive way, which has allowed the club to expand youth programing. We now serve over 800 players, with a more defined structure in the younger age groups.”
The ECNL Northeast Conference includes the top twelve clubs on the northeastern seaboard – from New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. The conference is split into two divisions, Metro and New England, based on geography, and teams from the conference have won several ECNL National Championships over the past few years.
Reflecting the strength of the Northeast Conference, the 2013-2014 Club Standings saw three Northeast Conference clubs listed in the top twenty Member Clubs in the country, and includes the ECNL Overall Club Champion for the past 2 years – Players’ Development Academy (PDA).
- ECNL Overall Club Champion: PDA
- 14th: FC Stars of Massachusetts
- 17th: Connecticut FC
“The ECNL has made a significant impact on the female side of soccer in the United States.” Says Mike O’Neill, PDA’s Girls Director of Coaching. “The league has built a great reputation for youth female soccer players, providing them with the opportunity to play and train at the highest level. The competition and talent level of players within the league is unmatched.”
ECNL NORTHEAST CONFERENCE AT-A-GLANCE:
Member Clubs (12): Albertson Fury, Boston Breakers Academy, Connecticut FC, Continental FC, East Meadow Soccer Club, FC Bucks, FC Stars of Massachusetts, FSA FC, Match Fit Academy, PDA, Penn Fusion SA, World Class FC
2013-14 Northeast Conference – Division Champions
- U14: World Class FC ECNL U14 (Metro Division), FC Stars of Massachusetts ECNL U14 (New England Division)
- U15: PDA ECNL U15 (Metro Division), Connecticut FC ECNL U15 (New England Division)
- U16: PDA ECNL U16 (Metro Division), FC Stars of Massachusetts ECNL U16 (New England Division)
- U17: PDA ECNL U17 (Metro Division), FC Stars of Massachusetts ECNL U17 (New England Division)
- U18: PDA ECNL U18 (Metro Division), Connecticut FC ECNL U18 (New England Division)
2013-2014 Champions League Qualifiers
- U15: Albertson Fury, Connecticut FC, FC Stars of Massachusetts, Match Fit Academy, PDA, Penn Fusion SA
- U16: East Meadow Soccer Club, FC Bucks, FC Stars of Massachusetts, Match Fit Academy, PDA, Penn Fusion SA
- U17: Connecticut FC, FC Stars of Massachusetts, Match Fit Academy, PDA, Penn Fusion SA
2013-2014 ECNL Finals Qualifiers
- U14: FC Stars of Massachusetts, PDA, World Class FC
- U15: Albertson Fury, PDA
- U16: PDA
- U17: PDA
- U18: Connecticut FC, PDA
Here is a brief look into each Member Club in the ECNL Northeast Conference.
Albertson Fury is one of the top clubs in New York with recreational and travel teams for both boys and girls.
Players to Watch:
- Keri Cavallo (US YNT)
- Hollie Habyan
- Caitlin Cosme (US YNT)
- Bridget Patch
Boston Breakers Academy was established last year with a partnership between Scorpions Soccer Club and the NWSL club, Boston Breakers, making it one of two clubs in the country with a structure leading into the NWSL.
Players to Watch:
- Maddie Mills
- Eve Hewins
- Jordan Bailey
- Alexandra Spangler
Connecticut FC (CFC) was founded in 1999 and is one of the largest premier clubs in Connecticut. CFC has competitive teams on both the boys and girls side and has seen numerous players continue their careers at the collegiate level.
Players to Watch:
- Jenna Bike (US YNT)
- Allyson Swaby (US YNT)
Continental FC was created through the merger of FC Delco and Spirit United approximately one year ago. The mission of the club is to maximize the development of every soccer player consistent with his or her commitment.
Players to Watch:
- Ashlee Brentlinger (US YNT)
- Giavanna Vicari
- Libby Andrews
- KK O’Donell
- Alyssa Portch
- Kiya WIlson
East Meadow Soccer Club, located in the heart of Long Island, was founded in 1971 and includes programing for players from age 3 to 22.
Players to Watch:
- Maddie Anderson
- Erin Gilroy
- Francesca Venezia
- Jill Mapley
- Zakirah McGillivary
FC Bucks is the premier arm of Council Rock United Soccer Association, and was founded in 1977 as a non-profit organization. Located in Pennsylvania, the club is a top to bottom club that offers programming for both youth and adults, and boys and girls teams from recreational to elite levels.
Players to Watch:
- Mackenzie Pluck (US YNT)
- Aleksa Peev
FC Stars of Massachusetts was founded in 2000 with the mission to provide an optimal training environment and the best possible competition.
Players to Watch:
- Gabrielle Carrerio (US YNT)
- Maddy Murphy (US YNT)
- Sammy Neyman (US YNT)
- Maddy Vergura (US YNT)
- Alexandra Keohan (US YNT)
- Olivia Wingate (US YNT)
FSA FC is a newly merged club located in Farmington, CT. FSA FC is committed to providing athletes the opportunity to develop in the sport of soccer and to inspire each player to a lifelong enjoyment of the game.
Players to Watch:
- Grace Blackwell (US YNT)
- Jenny Jacobs
- Sydney Fisher
- Megan Kikosicki
- Marissa Aniolowski
- Rachel Marchini
Match Fit Academy (MFA) was founded in 2000, with both boys and girls teams, and serves players in the New Jersey area.
Players to Watch:
- Hana Kerner (US YNT)
- Alana Cook (US YNT)
- Bridgette Andrzejewski (US YNT)
- Casey Palmer (US YNT)
- Jillian Jennings (US YNT)
- Maddie Lowe (US YNT)
Players Development Academy (PDA) was founded as a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of youth soccer in New Jersey. PDA has consistently been one of the top clubs in the country.
Players to Watch:
- Taylor Racioppi (US YNT)
- Casey Murphy (US YNT)
- Rachel Corboz (US YNT)
- Sabrina Flores (US YNT)
- Frankie Tagliaferri (US YNT)
- Evangeline Soucie (US YNT)
- Jillian Wachira (US YNT)
Penn Fusion Soccer Academy (Penn Fusion) was established in 2009. Its mission is to provide a professional environment for elite players to develop and compete in the highest levels of soccer regionally and nationally. The primary goal of the club is the development of the total player with an emphasis on extensive training time and participation in only competitive matches so that each player can reach their full potential and enhance their enjoyment of the game.
Players to Watch:
- Sydney Zandi (US YNT)
- Rachael Dorwart (US YNT)
- Emily Gray (US YNT)
World Class FC is a non-profit organization founded in 2009 that provides training and player development to qualified players to assist them in advancing to play at the highest levels of competition. The club has more than 40 teams and over 800 players on both the boys and girls side.
Players to Watch:
- Rebecca Jarret (US YNT)
- Melina Couzis (US YNT)
To learn more about ECNL Conferences, visit www.eliteclubsnationalleague.com.
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About Amazing Young WomenTM: The Amazing Young Women campaign is a dynamic platform of online and local market activations that showcase and celebrate female role models offering an aspirational focus for all female athletes and teens as they prepare to be our next generation of leaders. Throughout the 2014-2015 season, the ECNL will showcase what it means to have #BeautifulAmbition as exemplified by former and current ECNL players, and will call on all of the nation’s women to join the movement to celebrate the endless potential of today’s girls.
About Elite Clubs National League: The Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) was founded in 2009 to enhance the developmental experience of female youth soccer players in the United States through: (i) Improving the competitive environment through creation of a true national competitive league; (ii) Improving the process for identifying elite female soccer players for the U.S. Soccer youth national teams through a systematic scouting and identification program based on national competitions; and (iii) improving the daily training environment at top female youth soccer clubs through developing best practices and training and organizational guidelines for its member clubs. The ECNL is sanctioned by US Club Soccer and is sponsored by Nike Soccer.
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For media enquiries:
Jen Woodie
Email: info@eliteclubsnationalleague.com
Phone: (703)304-5723