Tonight, Friday May 31, ALAN VAUGHAN at the 120 Tavern and Music Hall, 1440 Roswell Rd, Marietta 30062 (just down from the Big Chicken) 8-1030pm


Pleasant outside patio acoustic music under the stars :-)

Come and join me! Musicians/singers come and sit in!
125 adults participated in the 3rd Atlanta Champions League at Grady High School Stadium on May 5th, enjoying a four-hour sunny spell during the wettest weekend of 2013.
The law firm Greenberg Traurig was our major sponsor as 8 teams representing major European clubs battled to win trophies for raising the most money and winning the 7v7 tournament. 
First-time entrant Paris St. Germain deservedly beat Manchester United in the final. Liverpool players won prizes for having raised more than $7,000 as a team.
As usual, the proceedings were overseen by our excellent commentator and master of ceremonies John Curran and the after-party continued across the street at Park Tavern.
Thank you to all of the participants and to the sponsors who contributed to us exceeding our expectations and raising over $39,000 from the event.  Sponsors also included PM Publicidad, The Brewhouse CafĂ©, Meehans Downtown, Sun Microstamping, La Grotta Restaurant, RiRa, Midway Pub, realtor AtlantaBen, and chiropractor Back-to-Basics.  
Thank you also to board member Bill Ford who chaired the event committee. We now look forward to our 5th annual Black Tie Soccer Game, also at Grady Stadium on Sunday October 6th. 
One afternoon at City of Refuge in downtown Atlanta, the kids were not particularly interested in the session that had been prepared for them or even really practicing at all.
Program Director Ricardo Montoya was paying a visit to evaluate the progress being made at the site. Things started out slowly as the kids struggled to understand the concept and mechanics of the warm up drill. Ricardo then asked Coach DeAndre and Coach Adrian, the two regular instructors with Refuge FC, to join in to help them visualize how it was done. Once this happened, the kids were fired up and ready to compete alongside their coaches. The warm up drill then progressed into a small sided 4v4 activity with coaches on each team playing alongside the kids. Ricardo even showed the youth a thing or two such as simple techniques like stopping the ball and cutting to change direction quickly.
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The activity then progressed onto a larger field where the same principles were driven home. The heat really turned up when the match conditions portion of the session began as the two teams not only had scoring on their mind but for each goal conceded the team that gave it up had to do a set of five push-ups. A few other volunteers working at City of Refuge even jumped in and added to the numbers to make it more interesting. At the end of the day, the score was meaningless as everyone had a great deal of fun and a greater appreciation for the game of soccer. 
Ricardo’s visit was an all-around success as he had pointers for the young coaches and he engaged the kids.  The session involved skill development, strategy, competition, and last but not least… fun. 

Ancelmo earns Class AAAA All-Star bid following huge sophomore season

AMERICUS — Only the best of the best from Class AAAA are selected to participate in the Georgia High School AAAA All-Star game. The Americus-Sumter Panthers soccer team has one of the best in sophomore forward Edin Ancelmo. Just as he did all season for the Panthers, Ancelmo proved he is one of the top players in Class AAAA by scoring a  goal against some of the top defenders in the state in the all-star contest.

Only a sophomore,k it is hard to believe that Ancelmo has two more years at Americus-Sumter to further is skills and abilities. In the recently completed season Ancelmo found the back of his opponent’s net 33 times in only 17 games while also battling injuries over the last five or six games. He also received the boy’s soccer Offensive Player of the Year Award during the recently held Americus-Sumter sports banquet.

Panther head coach Gregory Fowler said that Ancelmo possesses several unique traits that make him so dangerous on the soccer field. “Edin’s footwork is amazing. His ability to stop, go and reverse directions is incredible,” Fowler explained. “These abilities allow him to find open shooting lanes and take advantage of them. His overall athletic ability allows him to score by any means necessary. . . using his feet, head, or trying a bicycle kick.”

Fowler said that he often participates with his team in scrimmages throughout the season, but his defense of Ancelmo did not generally go that well.

“In all of the practices where I decided to scrimmage with my team, and found myself trying to defend Edin, I never once touched the ball with either of my feet.”

Anclemo can score from anywhere on his opponent’s side of the field. As he returns for his junior season next year, the Panthers can expect to have another huge season and once again compete for a region title and state playoff berth.

Real edges Atlanta 3-2 in US Open Cup



By JOHN COON
The Associated Press
SANDY, Utah — 
An embarrassing upset in the U.S. Open Cup a year ago motivated Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis.
He vowed things would be different for his team this time around. They would be prepared to play aggressive, fundamentally sound soccer.
The script nearly played out the same for Salt Lake, though. After dominating for nearly 90 minutes of regulation, RSL found itself in an overtime game against a determined lower-division opponent. It took a couple of late goals to alter the ending.
Devon Sandoval and Khari Stephenson each scored in overtime to lift Salt Lake to a 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Silverbacks of NASL on Tuesday night.
RSL improved to 6-8 all-time in U.S. Open Cup competition. The MLS team will host the Charleston Battery on June 12.
"This could be somewhat of a momentum builder if we look at it the right way," Kreis said. "It would have been easy to fold up shop and walk away with a loss, and we're proud of ourselves that we didn't. We kept our chins up, worked hard and scored two goals to win the game."
Salt Lake lost to the Minnesota Stars 3-1 at home a year ago. Atlanta rallied from an early deficit to force overtime this time around.
Kyle Beckerman struck first in the third minute when he headed home a corner kick from Javier Morales to give RSL a 1-0 lead.
Kellen Gulley fired a high shot from the center of the penalty area to even the score in the 87th minute. Salt Lake Goalkeeper Josh Saunders got his fingertips on the ball, but it bounced off his glove and hopped into the net to give Gulley his first professional goal.
He is on loan to Atlanta from the MLS's Chicago Fire.
"Coming in here, everybody is looking at us like we're not expected to do all that much against an MLS team," Atlanta goalkeeper Joe Nasco said. "We just kept our heads up and kept fighting. That's all it's about. You got to keep grinding and that's what we did."
Sandoval put Salt Lake back ahead in the 98th minute and Stephenson scored three minutes later.
Sandoval's winner came when Joao Plata fed a cross into him. Sandoval slid forward and tapped the ball into the net.
Stephenson gave Salt Lake a two-goal lead when he unleashed a right-footed drive from the center of the box.
Pablo Cruz tacked on a goal for the Silverbacks in the final minute of overtime.
Sandoval did not sport the enthusiasm of a player who scored a decisive goal. The rookie forward pulled RSL out of a jam, but he felt like it was a situation his team should never dealt with in the first place.
"I was really happy to score in overtime," Sandoval said. "Saying that, we got to be able lock it down better because we've been giving up a lot of goals lately."
Atlanta initially struggled to answer Beckerman's goal, generating virtually no scoring chances. The Silverbacks had zero shots on goal in the first half and spent much of the first 45 minutes trying to repel RSL attacks. Salt Lake could not take advantage.
Morales blew a point-blank shot from about 14 yards in the 26th minute. Nasco denied a couple of early second-half shots, and Nasco's most impressive save occurred in the 51st minute. He stuffed a shot from Sandoval after Robbie Findley sent a cross into Sandoval.
Nasco came up big again in the 77th minute when he dived to prevent Plata from tapping in at the near post.
"Our main problem or concern for me is finishing," Beckerman said. "We're creating chance after chance after chance. If we can finish just half of the chances, then it doesn't matter if they score at the end. Yeah, we'd be upset we didn't get a shutout. We're not finishing and we're ending up getting in dogfights when we really shouldn't be because we're dominating games."
The Silverbacks played more aggressively both ways in the second half. They nearly tied it in the 61st minute when Jahbari Willis latched onto a bad pass and fired off a quick shot that sailed high and wide.
Copyright The Associated Press
Women's Soccer Announces 2013 Schedule
COURTESY: CASSIE FOLCK/SPORTS COMMUNICATIONS      
Whitney Ravan, the leading scorer from last season, will return alongside most of the starters from the 2012 season.
View largerCOURTESY: TODD DREXLER/SIDELINE SPORTS

Whitney Ravan, the leading scorer from last season, will return alongside most of the starters from the 2012 season.


ATLANTA – Facing two opponents from the SEC and its first Sun Belt Conference slate are among the highlights of the Georgia State women's soccer team's 2013 fall schedule, announced Tuesday.
The Panthers will kick off the season with two road matches. They open on Sunday, Aug. 25, at Mercer and follow with a trip to Alabama on Friday, Aug. 30. Georgia State’s first home match will take place against Kennesaw State on Friday, Sept. 6. On Sunday, Sept. 15, the Panthers travel to Nashville to face their second SEC opponent, Vanderbilt.
Georgia State’s first Sun Belt Conference match is a home contest against Louisiana-Lafayette on Friday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m. Louisiana-Monroe will also play in the GSU Soccer Complex that same weekend, on Sunday Sept. 29 at 1 p.m. The Panthers play eight Sun Belt matches and are now eligible for the league tournament that will begin Nov. 3.
Before the non-conference season begins, Georgia State will host two exhibitions. On Friday, Aug. 16, Charleston will travel to Atlanta for a noon start at the GSU Soccer Complex. Two days later, future Sun Belt member Georgia Southern will make the short drive for a 4 p.m. kickoff. The Eagles played in the first round of the NCAA tournament last season.
“We can’t wait to start play in the Sun Belt, our new conference,” coach Derek Leader said. “We have some wonderful challenges prior to the start of conference play in a fabulous non-conference schedule. We will face two SEC opponents, in addition to some in-state rivals.
“We’re looking forward to our older players to return from summer break, when they will be joined by my first recruiting class. I’m excited to see them all come together, especially in our scrimmages in August. We are excited about this upcoming year and can’t wait to begin.”

McIntosh star named tops in the state

In its 28th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with USA TODAY High School Sports, announced Salomon Lorenzano of McIntosh High School as its 2012-13 Gatorade Georgia Boys Soccer Player of the Year. Lorenzano is the first Gatorade Georgia Boys Soccer Player of the Year to be chosen from McIntosh High School.
The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Lorenzano as Georgia’s best high school boys soccer player. The 2013 Class AAAAA Player of the Year and the 2012 Fayette County Player of the Year, he was the MVP of the 2012 Georgia Soccer Coaches Association All-Star Game.
Lorenzano has maintained a B average in the classroom. He has volunteered locally as part of fundraising campaigns to benefit muscular dystrophy and cancer research in addition to donating his time as a youth soccer coach.
“When you watch Salomon play the first thing you notice is that he has incredible speed both with and without the ball,” said John Bernard, head coach of Whitewater High. “He also has incredible touch on the ball and can navigate through defenses almost as if they are standing still at times.”
Lorenzano has signed a National Letter of Intent to play soccer on an athletic scholarship at Georgia State University this fall.
The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field, and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport.
The selection process is administered by the Gatorade high school sports leadership team in partnership with USA TODAY High School Sports, which work with top sport-specific experts and a media advisory board of accomplished, veteran prep sports journalists to determine the state winners in each sport.

North Georgia women's soccer releases 2013 schedule

By staff
click to enlarge
DAHLONEGA -– The University of North Georgia women’s soccer team under head coach Chris Adams has released their 2013 schedule as they look to make their third straight trip to the NCAA tournament.

“This year's schedule will stretch our young and talented team,” said Adams. “The challenging out of conference games are intended to prepare us for the competitive Peach Belt Conference schedule.”

The season begins with a trip to Emory University on Aug. 25. The Nighthawks will then travel to Valdosta on Sept. 6 and 8. They will play Florida Tech and Florida Southern, respectively.

The Nighthawks open up their home schedule on September 11 against Lincoln Memorial before hitting the road for their last two road non-conference matchups on September 14 and the 17th against Lees-McRae and West Georgia.

North Georgia also will open their Peach Belt Conference (PBC) schedule on the road against Young Harris on September 21 as part of the four-game road trip that started at Lees-McRae. The Nighthawks end the road trip at Georgia College a week after taking on the Mountain Lions.

UNG will end their non-conference schedule at home against Alabama-Huntsville on Oct. 1 before hosting Armstrong Atlantic in a crucial PBC matchup on the fifth of October.

After traveling to Montevallo, the Nighthawks will host Georgia Southwestern on Oct. 12. North Georgia will then travel to Clayton State on the 16th before hosting UNC Pembroke on the 19th.

After a quick trip to Columbus State on the 23rd, UNG will host Flagler and Lander to finish out the home schedule on the 26th and 30th, respectively. A trip to USC Aiken on Nov. 2 will finish out the 2013 regular season before the PBC Tournament’s on Nov. 5-10.

North Georgia ended the 2012 season with a record of 15-5-2 that included a trip to the NCAA Division II national tournament for the second time in as many years. The Saints out-scored their opponents 75-26 for the season including nine shutouts and did not lose a game by more than two goals all season. North Georgia also once again defeated Wingate University in the opening round of the national tournament before bowing out to No. 5 Armstrong.

The 2012 campaign marked the fourth season in a row that the Saints finished with 10 or more wins in a season; the best stretch in program history. In that time, North Georgia has gone 55-18-6 including setting the program record for most wins in a season with 16 in 2011. In all four of those seasons, the Saints have also advanced to the Peach Belt Conference tournament including making the semifinal round in both 2011 and 2012 and the finals in 2010.

The 2013 campaign will see seven starters return from the 2012 squad, including senior Kelly Penston, who scored 12 goals and had four assists.


NG WOMEN’S SOCCER 2013 SCHEDULE

Day/Date Opponent Site Time
Sun Aug 25th Emory Away 2:00 PM
Fri Sept 6th Florida Tech Valdosta, GA 5:00 PM
Sun Sept 8th Florida Southern Valdosta, GA 12:00 PM 

Barrera Named NASL Player of the Week


Author: Neal Malone
Barrera Named NASL Player of the Week
Atlanta Silverbacks forward Danny Barrera scored the goal that fired the Atlanta Silverbacks to the top of the North American Soccer League standings this weekend and claimed Player of the Week honors in the process.
In a close game where scoring chances were at a premium, Colombian Barrera pounced on a loose ball inside the penalty area with only four minutes remaining and secured a 1-0 win over the San Antonio Scorpions to delight the home crowd of 4,422 at Atlanta Silverbacks Park.  Substitute forward Kellen Gulley fired a shot that rebounded off a Scorpions defender and Barrera took full advantage with an instinctive finish that found the inside of the post off the hands of keeper Pat Hannigan.
“Danny took his chance well and deserves the recognition for scoring the goal that put us into first place,” said Silverbacks coach Brian Haynes.  “It was a typically instinctive striker’s finish.”
Barrera came to the Silverbacks this season from Cal FC where he was a member of the side that went on a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup giant-killing surge to the Fourth Round under Eric Wynalda.  He was named TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament, scoring two goals in each of the opening two rounds and the game-winner that famously sunk the Portland Timbers.
The Colombian spent time with Spartak Zlatibor Voda in Serbia in 2012 and played college soccer at the University of California Santa Barbara.

Secret City Fall Tournament
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Secret City Fall Tournament 2013
Join us at the Secret City Tournament in Oak Ridge, TN this Sept

Registration is now open, add us to your Fall schedule!

Thank you to all that attended 2012! It was a huge success and we look forward to seeing you again!

U10-U15 Boys and Girls
Oak Ridge, TN
September 27th-29th
Welcome to the Secret City Fall Tournament! This tournament is for teams looking a great weekend filled with some highly competitive matches! To view more information about the tournament and to register, please visit the tournament website by clicking here.
Don't miss this Tournament  . . . apply now if you haven't already done so!

Semi-Annual General Meeting Saturday July 20, 2013

Semi-annual General Meeting Saturday July 20, 2013
 
The Georgia Soccer SAGM will take place on Saturday July 20 at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel (Galleria).  Georgia Soccer member affiliates are required to have a representative at each business meeting.  Those who must travel more than 120 miles (one way) may reserve a Friday night hotel room at Georgia Soccer expense, but only if they respond by June 10.  Send rooming requests tosdonahue@georgiasoccer.org.  Please indicate a preference for one or two beds.
 
Rule/Bylaw Changes for Consideration at 2013 SAGM
Friday June 7 is the deadline to submit proposals for changes to the Georgia Soccer bylaws, policies, and rules in time to be considered at the SAGM on July 20.  Proposals must be made on the proper Rule Change Proposal form and e-mailed to gssa@georgiasoccer.org as an attached Word file.

Proposed changes to the Georgia Soccer Bylaws are accepted from:
·         Officers of Georgia Soccer affiliates
·         Members of the Board of Directors
·         Georgia Soccer Life Members

Proposals for changes to rules and policies, including the Adult Council Policy, Adult Policies and Procedures, Youth Council Policy, and Youth Rules and Regulations, may be made by:
 
·         Officers of Georgia Soccer affiliates
·         Committee Chairs
·         Members of the Board of Directors

ATLANTA SILVERBACKS 1, SAN ANTONIO SCORPIONS 0
ATLANTA---The Atlanta Silverbacks stole an 85th minute goal to defeat the San Antonio Scorpions 1-0 in front of 4,422 fans at Atlanta Silverbacks Park to take over at the top of the North American Soccer League standings. 

Atlanta improves to 4-2-1, 13pts, while San Antonio falls to 1-4-2, 5pts. The Silverbacks are two points clear of Minnesota, Carolina and Tampa Bay.

Midfielder Danny Barrera struck just as a scoreless draw seemed destined to be the outcome and earned Atlanta the club's first pole position since joining the league in 2011. Substitute forward Kellen Gulley fired a shot off a Scorpions defender, and the ball fell right to Barrera, who converted off the hands of keeper Pat Hannigan to make it 1-0 in the 86th minute.

Pair of UGA soccer signees named Gatorade Players of the Year

A pair of incoming Georgia soccer freshmen have garnered Gatorade Player of the Year honors for their respective states.
Marion Crowder of Mississippi and Rachel Garcia of Georgia received the prestigious honors from the Gatorade program, which annually recognizes one winner in each of the 50 states as well as the District of Columbia in high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track and field.
Crowder is a midfielder/forward out of Madison, Miss., playing high school soccer at Madison Central and with the Mississippi Fire club team. As a senior in 2013 she scored 37 goals and chipped in 17 assists, leading the Jaguars to an 18-3-2 record and a place in the Cass 6A state quarterfinals. She is a member of the U.S. Soccer Federation U-18 Women’s National Team and was a first team all-state selection, named Miss Soccer by the Clarion-Ledger in Jackson. She maintained a 3.7 GPA and volunteered locally on behalf of U.S. Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Program, the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, and at local food drives for the needy.
Garcia is a forward out of Duluth, coming to UGA from Greater Atlanta Christian School and the GSA Phoenix club. She scored 53 goals and added 19 assists for GAC this season, leading the Spartans to a 19-2 record and a place in the Class AA state final. Garcia was named the 2012 Gwinnett County Player of the Year and the Region 6AA Player of the Year, wrapping up her high school career with 146 goals and 45 assists. She has a 4.01 GPA and has volunteered at local homeless shelters, as a youth soccer coach, and through service missions to Guatemala and Mexico.
Garcia is the fourth UGA soccer player to earn the award in the Peach State since 2007, joining Laura Eddy (2009), Ashley Baker (2008), and Marah Falle (2007).
In all, Georgia has seen a total of 14 players earn 17 Gatorade Player of the Year honors in six states, including Susannah Dennis in 2008-09 (Tennessee), Stacy Hunt in 1998 (Georgia), Anna Beth Fuller in 2001 (Alabama), Kristin Garman in 2005 (Tennessee), Ashley King in 2005 (Tennessee), Elizabeth Metherell in 2000 (South Carolina), Geneil Newbern in 2001-02 (Tennessee), Andrea Velasco in 1998-99 (New Jersey), and Jessica Winton in 1999 (Georgia).
The Bulldogs kick off the 2013 season in exhibition action against The Citadel at 7 p.m. Aug. 16 at the UGA Soccer Stadium.

Silverbacks Host Scorpions, Eye First Place

Author: Neal Malone

Silverbacks Host Scorpions, Eye First Place
The Atlanta Silverbacks will go for their third straight win across all competitions when they host the San Antonio Scorpions at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night at Atlanta Silverbacks Park.
The Silverbacks followed up an impressive 2-0 defeat of the league-leading Carolina RailHawks with a 3-2 triumph over the Georgia Revolution in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday night. Each win was significant for the Silverbacks, but in very different ways. The Silverbacks’ win over the RailHawks meant that the team got a giant monkey off their back – they had previously gone winless in eight tries against the RailHawks since joining the NASL. The Silverbacks’ win over the Revolution clinched a coveted matchup against MLS side Real Salt Lake in the third round of the Cup.
There was Cup action across the nation on Tuesday night, and for the Silverbacks’ opponent this weekend, it didn’t go so well. The Scorpions were beaten by PDL side FC Tucson, going down on penalties after ending the second overtime tied 2-2. It was not the way Scorpions Head Coach Tim Hankinson wanted to follow up the team’s convincing 3-1 win over the Fort Lauderdale Strikers last weekend.
Putting their Cup defeat aside, the Scorpions put in a strong performance against the Strikers. Goals from NASL Player of the Week Javier Saavedra, defender Luka Vucko, and midfielder Edin Husic gave the Scorpions their first win of the season, vaulting them above the Strikers in points and out of the cellar of the NASL standings.
The Silverbacks and Scorpions have already met one time this season, with the game ending in a 2-2 draw at Toyota Field in San Antonio. It was a hard-fought matchup that featured a first half full of excitement. The Silverbacks took an early 1-0 lead in the 5th minute through midfielder Richie Menjivar. The Scorpions would quickly equalize and then take the lead, with goals coming from forward Hans Denissen and midfielder Walter Ramirez. The Scorpions then surrendered the lead as quickly as they had grabbed it. Silverbacks forward Pedro Mendes finished brilliantly past Scorpions goalkeeper Pat Hannigan to make the score 2-2 before halftime – a score that would hold until the final whistle.
For this Saturday’s matchup against the Scorpions, Silverbacks Head Coach Brian Haynes will have some fresh legs to choose from. Defenders Marytn Lancaster and Willie Hunt, midfielder Borfor Carr, and forward Pedro Mendes were all rested on Tuesday, leaving them refreshed for this weekend’s NASL proceedings. Additionally, goalkeeper Eric Ati could get his second consecutive start of the season on Saturday. The Cameroonian shot-stopper, who played in the Silverbacks’ matchup with the Scorpions earlier this season, will be looking for his second straight clean sheet.
The Silverbacks, who are tied for the league lead in scoring with 12 goals in six games, will look to cause problems against a Scorpions’ defense that has conceded a dozen goals in seven games across all competitions this year. Forward Ruben Luna, a former member of the San Antonio Scorpions, will look to add to his total of four league goals – an output that puts him second in the league behind the RailHawks’ Brian Shriver. Luna, who also scored two goals in Tuesday’s Cup game, will look to help the Silverbacks score their first three-game winning streak since joining the NASL in 2011.
Kickoff on Saturday is set for 7:30 p.m., with gates opening at 6 p.m. Tickets are available through the Silverbacks ticket office at 404-969-4900 or the team’s website, atlantasilverbacksfc.com.

Class AAAAAA Boys Soccer Championship: Berkmar 2, Collins Hill 0

By David Purdum / For the AJC
In an unlikely Cinderella story, the Berkmar Patriots are the 2013 AAAAAA state soccer champions.
Kofi Twumasi and Awey Houry scored second-half goals, leading the Patriots to a 2-0 upset of perennial power Collins Hill on Saturday at Kennesaw State.
It’s the first state championship for Berkmar soccer and only the third state title in any sport for the program.
After missing the playoffs last season, the Patriots overcame a 0-3-1 start to this season to reach the state championship game for the first time.  Defending champion Collins Hill was making its sixth straight appearance in the championship game. The Eagles won titles in 2009, 2010 and 2012. But it was Berkmar that kept its cool Saturday, while the Eagles often appeared frustrated.
Scoring threats were few and far between in a physical and scoreless first half.
Berkmar (15-6-1) opened the second half with a flurry of threats, forcing a pair of lunging punch saves from Collins Hill goalie Jackson Taylor. Finally, Twumasi corralled a bouncing ball in the box and scored to put the Patriots ahead 1-0 two minutes into the second half.
Houry tacked on the clincher at the 15-minute mark and celebrated with a series of back flips.
A Gwinnett County school has now won eight of the last 13 state championships in the state’s largest classification.
Collins Hill (16-6) beat Berkmar 2-0 in February and persevered through an up-and-down season that began with their roster being raided by the U.S. Soccer Development Academy and Jamaican national team.
COURTESY: Georgia State Sports Communications

Men’s Soccer Signee earns Gatorade Georgia Player of the Year

COURTESY: RANDY LIEBERMAN/SPORTS COMMUNICATIONS     




ATLANTA—Georgia State men’s soccer signee, and McIntosh High School standout, Salomon Lorenzano, was named the 2012-13 Gatorade Georgia Boys Soccer Player of the Year.
Lorenzano signed a National Letter of Intent to play at Georgia State on Feb. 7. He is a decorated prep player that adds this latest honor to a growing list of accomplishments prior to joining GSU this fall.
“This is a tremendous honor for Salomon and one that is very well deserved” Georgia State men’s soccer head coach Brett Surrency said. “This award encompasses much more than being a talented soccer player and it goes to show the type of person Salomon is off of the field.  We are looking forward to getting him integrated into the program come August and having him contribute to the team as we work towards a successful 2013 season.”
Lorenzano, a 5-foot-11, 155-pound senior forward, led the Chiefs to a perfect regular-season and a Class AAAAA Georgia state title this spring. He scored 24 goals and notched 28 assists on the season. He was the 2013 Class AAAAA Player of the Year, the 2012 Fayette County Player of the Year and was the MVP of the 2012 Georgia Soccer Coaches Association All-Star Game.
Off the field, Lorenzano has maintained a B average in the classroom. He has volunteered locally as part of fundraising campaigns to benefit muscular dystrophy and cancer research in addition to donating his time as a youth soccer coach.
The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field. The program awards one National Player of the Year in each sport as well.
Lorenzano joins recent Gatorade Georgia Boys Soccer Players of the Year Holden Fender (2011-12, Walton High School), John "Snoopy" Davidson (2010–11, Rome High School), Jordan McCrary (2009-10, Lassiter), Chris Thomas (2008–09 Greater Atlanta Christian School), Connor Barbaree (2007-08, Walton), and Jimmy Maurer (2006-07, St. Pius X Catholic) among the state’s list of former award winners.
To read about all of the incoming Georgia State men’s soccer signees, click here for the full article. Visit the men’s soccer page on GeorgiaStateSports.com to follow the team’s progress throughout the spring and other updates throughout the offseason.

Norcross senior named Gatorade State Girls Soccer Player of the Year


Rachel Garcia (Photo courtesy GACS)

NORCORSS, Ga. -- The honor of Gatorade State Girls Soccer Players of the Year was given to Rachel Garcia of Greater Atlanta Christian School.
A senior at the Norcross school, Garcia scored 53 goals and passed for 19 assists this past season. She led the Spartans (19-2) to the Class AA state championship game.
The standout forward was also named 2012 Gwinnett County Player of the Year and the 2012 Region 6AA Player of the Year.
The 5-foot 8-inch Spartan is a three-time Gwinnett Daily Post All-County selection.
Garcia finished her prep soccer career with 146 goals and 45 assists. In the classroom, Garcia also claimed excellence, maintaining a 4.01 GPA.
Off the soccer field, Garcia is a member of the GAC National Art Honor Society, volunteers at local homeless shelters, helps out as a soccer coach for youth and has gone on mission trips to Guatemala and Mexico.
Westminster High School's head soccer coach Clark Meyer said Garcia scores when she wants to.
"She is the most ruthlessly effective attacking personality I've seen in school in 15 years," Meyer said.
As for her move to college, Garcia has signed with the University of Georgia.

FC Alliance Fall Classic
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FC Alliance Fall Classic
Knoxville, TN
September 7-8, 2013
Welcome to the FC Alliance Fall Classic! 
Special features:
- Experienced Tournament Staff
- Tournament Cancellation Insurance
- Multiple Divisions 
- Nice Fields
Expecting 200+ teams
- All games played in Knoxville
We are located:
- 2-3 hours from Nashville, Asheville, Greenville, Lexington
- 3-4 hours from Atlanta, Louisville, Cincinnati, Charlotte, Greensboro, Birmingham 

This tournament is for teams looking a great weekend filled with some highly competitive matches for teams of all levels! To view more information about the tournament and to register, please visit the tournament website by clicking here.
Don't miss this Tournament  . . . apply now if you haven't already done so!