COLUMBUS -- The Crew Juniors U-16 Gold squad broke new ground in the 2013 James A. Martella Girls' State Cup over the weekend. Coached by Glen Tourville, the side beat Fairfield Optimist Soccer Club 3-2 in the semi-final to advance to its first-ever final. The Gold U-16s fell 4-1 in the final to Hammer FC.
Crew Youth is also preparing to launch tryouts for the 2013-14 season. Tryouts for Crew Juniors start May 28, while tryouts for the Crew Soccer Academy and Crew Juniors U13-U18 squads begin June 3 as the Academy searches for its next crop of talent.
"Tryouts are always one of the most exciting times of the year for us," said Crew Juniors Executive Director Andrew Arthurs. "During each year, we spend considerable time examining how to continue to provide more enjoyable and better programming for our youth players. We feel very positive about our 2013-14 system and plan and look forward to welcoming nearly 2,000 players to tryouts in the coming weeks."
A recap of the action from the Crew Soccer Academy U-16s and U-18s is below in the roundup section.
CREW YOUTH ROUNDUP
U-16s
Silankonet Bayo tallied to bring the CSA U-16s level in the 63rd minute of Saturday's match against Vardar SC Freiburg. Unfortunately for the Black & Gold, the home side netted the winner three minutes later. The CSA U-16 squad is currently in seventh-place in the Central Conference on 29 points after 23 matches. The U-16s return home to face FC Milwaukee (Saturday, 3:30 P.M. ET) and Sockers FC (Sunday, 12:30 P.M. ET) this weekend at the Crew's training ground in Obetz.
After a week off, the CSA Wolves U-16's return to action on May 18 against the Indiana Fire at 4:30 p.m. at the IUPUI turf field in Indianapolis.
U-18s
The CSA U-18s remain in fourth-place of the Central Conference 41 points after a 4-0 win over Vardar SC Freiburg in Pontiac, Mich. on Saturday. Aiden Bean, Noah Hutchins, William Bayemi and Quinn Miller all scored in the match, while Nicholas Ciraldo kept the clean sheet in goal. The U-18s face FC Milwaukee on Saturday at 1:00 P.M. and Sockers FC on Sunday at 10:00 A.M. Both matches will be at the Crew's training facility in Obetz.
The CSA Wolves U-18s return to play on May 18 against the Indiana Fire at 2:00 p.m. at the IUPUI turf field in Indianapolis following a break in action over the weekend.
