Courtesy: Cincinnati.com


Kings Soccer Academy U11 Stahl girls qualify for nationals in futsal

By Leah Zipperstein

February 20, 2010

The Kings Soccer Academy U11 Stahl girls won the United States FUTSAL Federation Midwest Regional Championships over Valentine's Day weekend in Mason. The team is currently ranked 38th in the country for its age group (10- and 11-year-olds). They qualify for the National Championships in Long Beach, Calif., July 8-11, 2010. FUTSAL is an indoor version of soccer played on a regulation-sized basketball court with four field players and one goalkeeper.

The goal is about half the size of a traditional goal, and the ball is also a bit smaller with thirty-percent less bounce. The game is popular in South America and Europe with increased interest in the United States as it provides players the tools to develop their skills for the outdoor game.

Roby Stahl coaches the KSA U11 Stahl girls out of the Town and Country Sports Complex in Wilder, Ky. Stahl is a former assistant coach for Columbus Crew (MLS) and current head coach for the Cincinnati Kings (USL). He began coaching the U11 girls in June. "We have brought on five new girls since I began coaching and there has been a big improvement in everyone's individual technique." Stahl said. "We believe that by developing the player and the individual the winning will take care of itself."

The Midwest tournament victory was a definite confidence booster for the girls.

"We can compete with anybody in our age group," said Stahl. Their next big event will be the State Cup in May, of which they are the defending champions. The Ohio South Youth Soccer Association (OSYSA) organizes the Cup. In order to prepare for the tournament, the girls must play a strong level of competition. "We will do a little bit of traveling this spring and play against some other state champions," said Stahl.

En route to their Midwest Regional victory, the girls outscored their opponents 30-10. They implement a powerful and offensive minded style of play. In the group pool, they defeated Galaxies from Dayton 8-3, Sports Tutor from Owensboro, Ky., 8-4, and Cup also from Cincinnati 8-3. In the finals they again played Galaxies, and it was no contest with a shutout 6-0 victory.

While it is quite an accomplishment to have qualified for nationals the team is unsure if it will attend. "We have to decide if we are going to go out there because it is a great expense for the families," said Stahl. If they do make the trip however, Stahl has a few goals in mind. "The goal is that every day the girls get better as soccer players and as people."

Team members include Kayla Rogers, Ellie Vandergriff, Moira O'Conner, Megan Rack, Paige Knorr, Sophie Gorman, Audrey Laiveling, Hallie Atwell, and Sherie Cheng.


Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com