Louisville, Ky — Three Lawrence Co. SoccerDawgs were part of history as their U18 soccer team from Eastern Kentucky has won the Kentucky State Cup for the first time ever. Eastern Elite defeated Kentucky Fire 4-3 Sunday morning in Louisville.
LCHS Soccer members Goalie Ally Moore and defensive specialists Sarah Lycans and Hayleah Fletcher along with Eastern Elite will now represent the state of Kentucky in the Regional Championships in Michigan later this month.
We went 3-0 in State Cup Play…featured wins over United 1996, Derby City Rosseri, and Former State Cup Champions Kentucky Fire Juniors.
Eastern Elite defeated Kentucky Fire Juniors 4-3 in one of the most thrilling KY State Cup Finals ever. After being down 2-0 in the first 10 mins, Eastern Elite battled back to take the lead 3-2 at halftime. KFJ tied it up with 30 mins to go. Eastern Elite would fight back and score the game winner in stoppage time with only 1 minute to play in regulation. The win would secure the first ever State Cup Championship for an Eastern Kentucky team.
There was Superb goalkeeping play by Ally Moore throughout all of the state competition. In addition Sarah’s stout defending and leadership on the back line was one of the key reasons for the teams success.
Hayleah Fletcher started every game in the midfield and was one of the most consistent players all of tournament play.
The team will go on to represent the state of Kentucky in the National Regional Competition which will be held Saginaw, MI from June 21-25.
Bottom L to R Savannah Short, Ainsley Bender, Beth Burchett, Sarah Lycans, Taylor Hall, Abby Keeton, McKenzie Moran
For more information on Eastern Elite Soccer Academy you can check them out on Facebook.
Sunday’s win makes Eastern Elite the first team out of eastern Kentucky to win a State Cup. The Kentucky State Cup is part of the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, according to the website.
The U18 team is made up of high school athletes from Louisa, Grayson, Ashland, Prestonsburg and Russell, Ky., as well as athletes from Barboursville and Huntington, W. Va.
Eastern Elite U18 Head Coach Kyle Snaitecki
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… Extremely proud of this group. This championship has been in the works for 5 years and to finally lift that trophy for our group of players, parents and most importantly Eastern KY, felt extremely satisfying.”
“Winning a state cup in KY is not easy, and these girls and parents deserve a lot of credit. Beating KFJ is a huge accomplishment and winning in that fashion was unforgettable.”
“The three girls from Lawrence Co. Represented their community proudly all weekend. These girls are a huge part of the program and have left their mark as soccer stars in the city of Louisa.”
