Incoming Freshmen Frannie Twohig, Geordi Khoury, Ralphie Lundy, Robbie Benson, Shawn Ferguson, and Tyler Vukoder captured the USYSA U18 National Championship with Discoveries Soccer Club today in Lancaster, MA. Discoveries matched up with Region II winner Javanon (KY) in the finals and went on to win 2-1. With this win, Discoveries becomes the first ever South Carolina club to capture a USYSA National Championship!
The six incoming Cougars all stepped up at different times throughout the tournament to help push their team to victory.
In the first match, Discoveries defeated the Region IV Champion WSM International (OR) 3-2. Shawn Ferguson tallied a goal while Ralphie Lundy provided 2 assists in the effort. Geordi Khoury provided excellent play down the wing and had the WSM on their heels in the early stages of the game. Frannie Twohig stepped into the center midfield role and did an excellent job of creating opportunities for his teammates.
In the second match, Discoveries made a statement to the rest of the field in their 8-1 win over the Region I Champion East Fishkill Thunder (E-NY). Ralphie Lundy was tabbed "Star of the Day" by ESPN Rise Magazine after he tallied 4 goals.
In the final match of preliminary play, Discoveries defeated Region II winner Javanon (KY) 4-2. Left back Robbie Benson got on the score sheet after making a brilliant overlapping run around Lundy, who provided the assist on the play.
The championship match saw Discoveries defeat Javanon 2-1. Robbie Benson tallied two assists in the left wing back position, while Tyler Vukoder was instrumental in locking down the Javanon attack.
Quotes from Coach Lundy and the players:
Coach Lundy- "This is a great milestone for South Carolina youth soccer and we couldn't be happier to have these 6 players coming to be Cougars."
Tyler Vukoder- "It's an unbelievable accomplishment and I shared it with the 14 best players and friends I could ever have."
Geordi Khoury- "This is where all the hard work finally pays off. I couldn't be happier!"
Robbie Benson- "We tried for five years to make it to Nationals and win it and our last year we finally did it."
Shawn Ferguson-"We all worked really hard to get to this point, it is so fulfilling to have so much success after all we have experienced as a team."
Ralphie Lundy- "The experience with this team and these players was truly amazing. This is something that this group of guys, especially the ones that are coming to Charleston to play together, will never forget."
Frannie Twohig- "I'm so glad we were able to win the National championship, not only for myself but for all the other 14 players on the team that have become my brothers over the years."
