FRISCO, Texas (Sept. 28, 2022) — The US Youth Soccer Piedmont Conference has passed the midway point of the 2022-23 season for many of its divisions, and there are several exciting races for conference titles that will be decided in the coming weeks.
In addition to Piedmont Conference titles, teams are competing for the opportunity to earn berths to the 2023 USYS Southern Regional Championships, as well as a spot in the 2023-24 season of National League P.R.O.
A look at the Piedmont Conference Boys Divisions…
In the 14U Premier I Division, CESA Pachuca 09B Challenge (SC) has jumped out to a 6-0-0 start to take hold of first place at the midway point of the season.
A trio of teams sit near the top of a very close 15U Premier I Division. Highland FC 08 Red (NC) and IAFC 08B ADP (GA) each have four wins and a draw, while SCS Clinton United (NC) is right behind with a 4-0-0 record.
Athens United 07 Gold (GA) leads the 16U Premier I Division, but PTFC 07 Premier (NC) has started 4-0-0 and is on pace to contend for the title. Meanwhile, a perfect 5-0-0 record for Georgia Storm – Darlington 06B (GA) has allowed it to take early control of the 17U Premier I Division.
Three wins and three draws have helped IAFC 05B ADP (GA) jump to the top of the 18U Premier I Division.
In the 19U Premier I Division, Georgia Storm Darlington 04B (GA) has gone unbeaten and secured 16 points from six games to sit in first place at the midway point of the season.
A look at the Piedmont Conference Girls Divisions…
On the girls’ side, Georgia Impact has enjoyed a strong start to the season across many of the age groups, as the club is in contention for several Piedmont Conference division titles.
“This season has been excellent so far. What has stood out to me is the fact that you can not predict a result, as anyone can beat anyone and if your team has an off day, then teams at this level will punish you,” said Robert Roddie, Georgia Impact Girls Director of Coaching. “I am thrilled the way our club has been competing this season with four of our five girls teams all chasing a league championship.
“We are very thankful to have been involved in the National League consistently over the last few years and have grown as a club from being relegation fighters to title contenders. This all comes down to experiencing games against some of the best teams in the region in previous seasons.”
Georgia Impact’s 14U side is in first place, while the 15U team is tied for first place with Savannah United 08G Premier (GA). Both 15U co-leaders have 5-0-1 records after playing to a draw in their Sept. 11 matchup.
Furman United SC 07G Elite (SC) sits at the top of the 16U Premier I Division standings with a 5-0-0 record. Georgia Impact SC 07G Elite (GA) is still in the hunt, as it currently is in second place and just two points behind Furman.
The pursuit of the 17U Premier I Division title is also a close race, as GA-SC Bulls 2006 (SC) hold a narrow lead with 16 points from seven games. However, NSA Belles (GA) and Georgia Impact SC 06G Elite (GA) are both just one point back with a game in hand on the division leaders.
In the 19U Premier I Division, PTFC Triad Premier G (NC) has paced the group with 22 points from nine games. However, NCFC 04 Elite G (NC) and CVYSA 05 Blast Blue Girls (NC) are each undefeated and looking to take over the top spot in the second half of the season.
“Being able to earn the Regionals spot after a successful season is a huge motivation for our players and can also take stress off the players going into State Cup at the end of the season,” Roddie said of the pathways available in the National League Conferences. “As for National League P.R.O., this has become a target for all of our girls teams at the club — the incentive to be able to gain an additional six games at two large showcase events is a huge incentive and something our girls strive for so that they can be seen by college coaches from around the country and showcase their talent.
“Last year we had two teams in P.R.O. and this year we have three. The joy on the players’ and families’ faces were priceless when they knew we would now be attending these massive events and playing some of the best teams in the country.”
The Piedmont Conference is one of 13 conferences in the USYS National League. For more information on the Piedmont Conference, including schedules, scores, and standings, click here.