A group of young soccer players from Berks County and surrounding communities is preparing to represent Pennsylvania on the national stage after capturing a state championship this spring.
The PA Classics Reading Academy 2011 Girls Fury team won the Pennsylvania State Cup Championship on May 17, defeating FC Europa ECNL RL 2-0 at the WSFS Sportsplex in Chester. The victory earned the team a spot in the US Youth Soccer National Championships, scheduled for July 15-23 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Head coach Amanda Bezner said the championship match remained scoreless through the first half before her team broke through after halftime.
“Forty more minutes, girls. Forty more minutes to be state cup champs. Who’s going to do it?” Bezner recalled telling her players at halftime.
The breakthrough came when Olivia Cipriano fired a shot from outside the penalty area. After the goalkeeper was unable to secure the rebound, Kinley Miller capitalized and put the ball into the net for a 1-0 lead.
Just 30 seconds after the ensuing kickoff, the team struck again. A high-pressure defensive effort forced a turnover, leading to a left-footed volley by Leah Weitzel that doubled the advantage.
The championship was not without tense moments. Bezner credited her defense with clearing a ball off the goal line during the first half and goalkeeper Maddie for making a crucial one-on-one diving save after the team took the lead.
“We didn’t hold back. We didn’t park the bus. We just wanted to play,” Bezner said. “The girls held on and they played an unbelievable game.”
The team competes in the US Youth Soccer National League Premier 2 division and consists of U15 players born in 2011. According to Bezner, many of the players have been together since they were 7 years old.
“I’ve actually had this team, most of them, since they were 7 years old,” she said. “It’s a really special group. They’re truly a family.”
The roster includes players from several schools throughout Berks County and neighboring communities, including Schuylkill Valley, Twin Valley, Exeter, Wilson, Brandywine Heights, Blue Mountain, Pottsville and Allentown Central Catholic.
The team’s success this season has been built on years of development. Bezner said the players have enjoyed a strong campaign, including a successful tournament trip to North Carolina and an undefeated spring league season outside of two tournament losses.
For the players, reaching the national championships is the result of years of dedication both on and off the field.
“I think to play at this level, it honestly just takes time and dedication at practice and out of practice,” said defender Jordan Reedy. “We all put in the time outside of our practices. We all play different sports and obviously with school, but I think most importantly we find the time and we care the most.”
Midfielder Talia Robison said the team grew stronger as the season progressed.
“The season has been going really good,” Robison said. “We started with some tournaments, and then once we got into league play, we all settled in and started playing together and strong.”
As the team prepares for Nashville, players remain focused on both competing and continuing to improve.
“Everybody wants to keep going in our season and obviously win at Nationals,” Robison said. “But just have fun and just keep going and keep getting better every day.”
Reedy echoed those goals.
“We all want to obviously win at Nationals and keep winning,” she said. “But we’re definitely looking forward for next season and we just want to get better.”
For Bezner, the championship represents much more than a trophy.
She remembers coaching many of the players when they were young children learning the game, celebrating small victories and simply enjoying the sport.
“We started off, we would lose games 15-nothing, and then these girls would come off the field smiling because they scored one goal,” Bezner said. “To watch them grow into the young ladies that they are, they lead by example, they do good in their community, they help the youth, they train youth athletes.”
The team is currently fundraising to help offset travel expenses as players and their families prepare for the trip to Tennessee. The national tournament will feature state champions and top teams from across the country competing for a national title.
