The SOCA U18 Boys Elite team faced steep challenges in Eastern Regional League play over the March 29-31 time period, and came away with two key wins and a single loss in the three day event.

The Eastern Regional League is a highly selective program operated to provide top quality matches among the most competitive teams in the region, from Maine to Virginia.  Teams apply for the opportunity to play in a series of competitions in the spring season, with top finishers included in the Region 1 Championships later in the summer.

As U17 VYSA State Cup champions and U18 State Cup finalists, this group is well-accustomed to difficult matches and high-achieving opponents.  With the team gathering for a few essential spring training sessions under Coach Dan Ensley prior to the match event, they built upon acquired experiences to start the weekend with a convincing 4-0 win over the Baltimore Bays on Thursday, with goals provided by Andrew Weber (2), Daniel Starr and Kyle Lehnert.

The Friday match saw the locals lose 0-1 to Lower Marion from Pennsylvania, on a late game goal.

Saturday’s match was a 2-0 win over GPS from western New York State, on goals from Daniel Starr and Brandon Mahon.  The results leave the SOCA standing in second place in the top bracket, Elite-Blue, with four matches remaining.

View results and standings here:  https://home.gotsoccer.com/rankings/event.aspx?EventID=61319&GroupID=660935

Three of the remaining matches will be played April 27-29 in Dover, Delaware, with the final match to be scheduled by the involved clubs.