Photo: Lexington Girl Shines in National Soccer Tourney

A Lexington girl was on a regional soccer team that recently shone bright in the Disney Soccer Showcase.

The South Carolina United FC 96 Elite is made up of players from the Midlands, Charleston and even Georgia.

The tournament is rated the No. 1 youth soccer tournament in the US by "Soccer America" magazine and gives athletes a chance to shine on one of the biggest stages set for youth soccer in this country.  

On the way to the finals, the team convincingly beat Cincinnati United Crew Jrs 3-0, and in spite of only 1-0 score line, completely dominated nationally 11th ranked United German Hungarians from Pennsylvania.  

In the final, thanks to brilliant goalkeeping, stellar defense, and extremely creative attacking play, SCUFC girls came out with a 1-0 victory over Ohio Galaxies Elite, posting its third shutout of the tournament.

— Information provided by Coach Tomasz Kluszczynski

Pictured above from left to right:

Front row

Kathryn Onate, Columbia

Jessica Schifer, Aiken

Hayley Younginer, Dutch Fork

Mikaela Schifer, Aiken

Mary Jordan Hiller, Dutch Fork

Second row

Tomasz Kluszczynski

Logan Humphries, Columbia

Claire Stephan, Blythewood

Hannah Cowan, Blythewood

Marin Miller, Mt. Pleasant

Natalie Thompson, Evans, Ga.

Back row

Emily Jermstad, Dutch Fork

Kirsty Ellinger, Lexington

Ashley Edmunds, Columbia

Taylor Barber, Blythewood

Katie Maivelett, Aiken

Raven Rose – Evans, Ga.