FRISCO, Texas (Feb. 24, 2022) — The 2021-22 US Youth Soccer Piedmont Conference season has seen many great performances through the fall and winter. The 13U age groups recently kicked off their season with events in Wilson, N.C., and Atlanta, Ga. Several teams have already clinched division titles in the older age groups and many more teams are pushing hard for the top spots in the standings as the league moves into the spring side of this season’s calendar.

In total, this season will see 140 Piedmont Conference teams compete for qualification into the 2022 USYS Southern Regional Championships, as well as qualification into the 2022-23 season of National League P.R.O.

Some notes on this season up to this point:

• South Carolina United FC 09 Composite (SC) and NC Rush Triad 09 (NC) have both earned 9 points and hold the top spots in the 13U Boys Division standings.
• In the 13U Girls Division, Cainhoy Athletic SC 09 Breakers Blue (SC) and 09 NCFC Gold North (NC) are tied at the top of the standings with 7 points each.
• In the 14U Girls Division, JASA Coastal Surge 08 (NC) clinched the top spot in the standings back in the fall with seven straight wins.
• Piedmont Triad FC 07 Premier (NC) currently holds the top spot in the 15U Boys Division standings with 34 points, but the final standings will come down to the match between PTFC and Highland FC 07 Red (NC).
• In the 16U Girls Division, Wilson Youth SA 06 Explosion (NC) clinched the top spot in the standings by winning all seven of its conference games.
• Lanier SA 05 Archies (GA) clinched the 17U Boys Division back in the fall with 26 points earned from their 10 games.
• In the 18U Girls Division, Piedmont Triad FC 04 Lady Black (NC) clinched the top spot in the standings back in the fall side of the season.
• CASA Pride 03 Premier (SC), earned 25 points in nine games to clinch the 19U Boys Division standings back in the fall side of the season.

What they’re saying:

Alex Fritts, head coach of CASC 09G Breakers Blue (SC), talked about his team’s performance within the conference and what he attributes to its success. 

“Our team has a philosophy — one thing no one else can decide for us is how hard we work,” Fritts said. “To that end, our players challenge themselves not only during structured team practices, but also in their individual unstructured training to work as hard as possible. The dividends of this philosophy are measured when the team is still battling to win in the waning minutes or seconds of a match, regardless of the score.”

Fritts also talked about what his team’s experience has been within the Piedmont Conference and what they are looking forward to in the future.

“My team looks at being part of the Piedmont Conference as an opportunity to represent not just our team, but our entire club and South Carolina Youth Soccer Association.  When we were invited to join the league, my team was amazed by the exposure that USYS gives players through showcases and social media platforms. At 13U, I have players dreaming of and working toward playing at the college level. From what we've already experienced through just three games, the Piedmont Conference will provide our players that opportunity. Our players are very focused on a goal of staying up in the Piedmont Conference and realizing entry into future USYS showcase and P.R.O. events.”

On the boys’ side of the conference, Kacy Charlton, head coach of NC Rush Triad 09 Boys, talked about what it means for his team to start the 13U season with two wins.

“In both of our victories this weekend, we had to adapt to what the opponent provided in each phase of the game,” Charlton said. “We did our best to play to our strengths, which are building out of the back, changing the point of attack, and finishing our goal scoring opportunities.”

Charlton also talked about what the experience has been with the Piedmont Conference this season.

“It was a huge accomplishment to qualify for the conference this season for our players, families and club,” Charlton said. “We are excited for the opportunities the Piedmont Conference will provide for our players to compete at this level. Our players will benefit from seeing different styles of play that present great problems for the players to solve. With this, the players will continue to learn and develop each time we step on the field.”

For more information on the Piedmont Conference, including schedules, scores, and standings, click here. 

For more information on all the National League Conferences and the National League P.R.O., click here.