FRISCO, Texas – The FC Dallas Girls Academy enjoyed a dominant showing at the Dallas Cup on Friday by winning titles in the U15 and U17 age groups. FC Dallas reached the final in all four age brackets of the Dallas Cup Girls Invitational with the U16 and U19 teams finishing runners-up.
The FC Dallas 09 ECNL team won the U15 championship game 4-1 over local rivals Solar SC at Toyota Stadium thanks to two goals from Catelyn de Moor and one each from Brynlie Ward and Layla Iglesias. Led by head coach Matt Grubb, the 09s conceded just one goal and scored 23 across their five-game championship run.
“It’s a special experience for these younger teams to win their first one and be able to play in front of the crowd in the pro stadium,” said Grubb, the Director of the FC Dallas Girls Academy. “The perspective that they’ll gain of what might be ahead, if you can get to that next level, is massive.”
FC Dallas’ 07 ECNL squad was crowned U17 Dallas Cup champion after a resounding 8-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt of Germany. Forward Holly Storer led the way with a hat trick in the final, with Natalie Wagner (2), Rylee McLanahan and Isabelle Traub finding the back of the net as well. It was the 07s’ third-consecutive Dallas Cup triumph, having won the U15 and U16 titles in the previous two years.
“I’m so proud of the girls, it’s a three-peat for them,” said head coach Gareth Evans. “It’s a great group and it’s evolved over the years, as it does in youth soccer. We’ve gotten better each year and it’s a very talented group. Hopefully it’s the start of a successful year, we’ve got a chance to compete for a conference championship and we’ve already qualified for nationals so hopefully we can go and make a run.”
The FC Dallas Girls Academy reached the Dallas Cup final in all four age brackets, with the 08 and 05/06 ECNL teams finishing runners-up. The 08s fell 5-0 to Solar SC in the U16 final while the 05/06s were defeated 2-1 by the Australian School Girls in the U19 championship game.
“Looking at the sustainability and growth of our program, we don’t just have one or two teams, we’re strong throughout the entire Girls Academy program,” Grubb said. “It speaks to the quality of our players, the reputation of our club and staff, the facilities, a lot goes into it. The resources our ownership gives us provides this sustainability and you’re seeing us overtake a lot of clubs that used to be ahead of us.”
