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The U15 girls team made history — for the second time — Nov. 13 in Decatur, Ala., by capturing their
second Division I State Championship in two years. This is the highest
level in which Alabama Youth Soccer Players can compete in the state
of Alabama. The victory was not handed lightly to them, as the girls
competed in two weekends of preliminary competition before the final
match.
Thunder sailed through the first two games in preliminary
rounds with wins over Briarwood and Trussville. However, on Nov. 6,
they fell to HFC (Huntsville Futbol Club) 3 to 1. Fortunately, their
performance in the other two games put the team in the finals the
following weekend. It was a rematch against HFC, who is the only other
Region III team in the state, besides Auburn Thunder, in this age
group.
The game was a battle the entire time. The lone goal was scored in the
17th minute with a through ball from Rylee Simpson to a scorching
Shelby Wall down the right side of the field. Shelby calmly put it
past the HFC goalie, scoring the only goal in the championship game.
This victory is an extraordinary accomplishment, not only for these
girls, but for the entire Auburn Thunder club. Winning such a
prestigious championship in this state is normally reserved for teams
in North Alabama; however the high level of training that Auburn
Thunder has offered with its outstanding, highly qualified coaching
staff, allows for teams from Auburn’s club to bring home this great
honor — not just one year, but two.
Most members of this team have grown up together in the club, playing
for six years as a group. The goals they have achieved are just
another exciting step to which younger Thunder athletes can aspire.
By winning the state championship, the Thunder 97 girls will now
travel to the Region III Champions Tournament in Greenville, S.C., in
June 2012. This tournament is one of four held in the nation that
hosts the regions’ top players. |
The U14 Boys finished the fall season as a finalist in the Nike Cup in Norcross, Georgia on December 3-4. The boys won their group by beating the United Futbol Academy 3-0 and the Blue Fury from Norcross 5-0 and playing the North Atlanta Royal team to a 1-1 tie. Thunder lost a tight match against ASG from Tallahassee, Florida to finish 2nd in their division 1-0. The defense was particularly tough on their opponents, allowing only 2 goals over 4 games. Congratulations to the U14 Boys on their great showing! 
The Auburn Thunder U10 Boys won the 2011 East Ridge Express Adidas Fall Cup held in Chattanooga, TN October 21-23. Auburn won their first 2 games against Blount United Hammers and East Ridge. They faced their stiffest competition in their 3rd game against Chivitas from Dalton, GA. Thunder was able to overcome a 2-0 halftime deficit to win 3-2 and advance to the championship game. The boys beat the Wolves from Jackson Futbol Club 4-1 win the championship and close out an undefeated fall season. Way to go U10 Boys!
