FRISCO, Texas- FC Dallas continue a strong showing in the youth playoffs as the U-15 and U-17 women’s teams beat their opponents to head to the semi-finals of their respective age groups of US Soccer Academy playoffs taking place in California.
U-15s Playoff Progression
The FC Dallas U-15 Women played Cincinnati Development Academy U-15 and beat them 3-0 on Friday. FC Dallas have strode through the playoffs with ease so far based on unbreakable defense and the stellar play of star striker Taylor Zdrojewski and the quarterfinals proved no different. The sound of the opening whistle was still in the air when Zdrojewski pounced to give FC Dallas the lead. She doubled her tally and gave FC Dallas a 2-0 lead in the 38th minute. With the game winding down Taylor Cheathem, the second highest scorer in the playoffs added a third with 3 minutes remaining in regular time to start the celebrations early. The U-15 team continued their streak of clean sheets with a goalkeeper rotation, Olivia Ramsey taking the first half while Drew Stover took most of the second half.
In order to get to this point in the playoffs the U-15s have won against the wildcard Michigan Jaguars 3-0, the Third seed in the East Penn Fusion Soccer 5-0 and most recently Charlotte Soccer Academy who were ranked third in the Southeast division 5-0. After moving through the group stage with an undefeated record the U-15s faced the Cincinnati Development Academy to advance forward.
U-17s Performance Throughout the Group Stage and Quarterfinals
On Saturday the U-17s followed with a 3-0 performance of their own in which they controlled the game for all 90 minutes. The first half was a tense affair and it showed, with neither team creating too many chances, in part down to stiff defenses from both FC Dallas and their opponents IMG Academy. In the second half FC Dallas came roaring out of the blocks and scored within 2 minutes of kickoff and when Erin Mitchell scored it sparked wild celebrations among the FC Dallas U-17 Women’s team. Morganne Eikelbarner doubled the lead in the 63rd minute, and while IMG Academy pushed for an equalizer, they were left exposed at the back and Jaedyn Shaw slammed home a third when through one on one to seal the victory.
The U-17s made statements in their playoff journey so far as well. They won over the Wildcard OC Surf Soccer Club 2-0 in their first match. They also won over playoff seed 18 FC Fury NY 4-0 and lastly the number 3 seed Penn Fusion Soccer 1-0 before advancing to the quarterfinals. In the quarterfinals they saw victory the 12 seed IMG Academy 3-0 to push them through to the semifinals.
