September 8, 2009 – Kendall SC’s U18B White bested a field that featured most of the top teams from Florida to claim the Disney Showcase Qualifier championship and a direct pass to the Showcase group of the Disney Soccer Showcase in December. The U17G White also reached the Qualifier final earning them an invitation to the Disney Showcase for the second year in a row. For their part, the U15G White made a spirited run to the semifinals before bowing out in the tournament.
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| Disney Showcase Qualifier Champions - Kendall SC U18B White. Back Row: C. Melean, J. Bernal, J. Devaldivielso, E, Reyes, V. Cortez, J. Moo, C. Moffett, F. Pittaluga, G. Moya, Coach F. De Asis. Front Row: J. Lima, K. Arellana, B. Martinez, A. Moreno, J. Castro, E. Enderica, P. Cury |
With the addition of the U18B White and the U17G White to the slate of Kendall SC teams participating in the Disney Showcase, the club will have a total of five teams competing in the senior tournament at the end of the year. Joining them will also be the two-times Florida State Champions U16B White, the three-times Disney Showcase Champions U17B White, and the Miami FC Kendall USSDA U18 team.
In the Qualifier, the U18B White team had an almost unblemished record, scoring wins over Coral Springs Storm (3-2) and Tallahassee United (2-0) before tying Dallas Texans Florida 92 2-2 to take first place in the D Bracket. In the semifinal they had to fend off a spirited Strictly Soccer team in a 3-2 victory that set up the final showdown against HC United Red. Kendall SC proceeded to assure the championship trophy with a 3-0 shutout of last year’s State Cup quarterfinalists.
The U17G White were looking to repeat as Qualifier champions, but finished just short of accomplishing their objective. After allowing only one goal in three preliminary round victories against Lakeland FC Lightning (2-0), Space Coast Storm (3-0), and South Carolina’s Columbia United FC 92 Elite (3-1), the Kendall SC girls had the momentum going into the knock-out round. They posted yet another shutout over Georgia’s Norcross 93 Fury Gold (2-0) only to be stunned in a 0-4 loss in the Final to state rivals, Clearwater Chargers.
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| The U15G White share a smile with Mickey Mouse during the medal ceremony |
The U15G White started off the tournament with an encouraging result, a 1-1 tie versus South Carolina’s #2 ranked team, Columbia United FC 94 Elite, but suffered a disappointing 2-3 loss to Mako SC Sharks in their second match. With everything on the line, Kendall SC had to face last season’s State Cup quarterfinalists, HC United Red, and came away with a big upset winning the match 3-1 and claiming first place in the group on head-to-head tie breaker. In the semifinal, eventual champion CFU Real proved to be too much for the U15 girls, who failed to score in a 0-4 defeat.
Other Kendall SC teams that competed in the Qualifier included the U15B White, who’s high hopes were dashed when they lost two of three matches to First Coast Kyx and HC United Red. Their lone victory was over Columbia United FC Elite. The U14B White team also finished with a 1-2-0 record, losing to Florida Rush Nike and HC United Red after defeating Central Brevard SC. The U14G White unfortunately did not live up to their high state ranking, losing all three of their matches to WESA Krush Academy, Weston FC Premier, and HC United Red.
