Youth & High School

National glory for Crusaders
August 7, 2006


The U17 MPS Cape Cod Crusaders emerged triumphant from North Carolina last weekend, having kept their nerve to win the US Club National Championships.

After winning the Region B Tournament in New Jersey last month, the Crusaders were pitted against the best teams in the country and a fine opening stage performance saw them top a tough group that included regional champions from Washington State, Colorado and Florida with a 2-0-1 record.

In the final the Crusaders met Berks Rage from Pennsylvania. In a closely contested affair, both teams enjoying good periods of possession but the deadlock was not broken until the first period of overtime when central midfielder Nick Brown headed home a Brandon McClay corner.

Just as it looked as though Cape Cod had sealed their glory, the Rage found a second wind and tied the game with just six minutes left with a terrific left foot strike from just inside the box. The final minutes closed with both teams accepting their fate of penalties.

In an extremely tense shootout, Crusaders keeper Jordan Barr excelled by saving two well-struck shots, which allowed Colin Christman to coolly slot the winner and give Cape Cod the 4-3 shootout victory.

"The boys were terrific all week and thoroughly deserve this great accolade,” said Crusaders coach, Darren Gallagher. “I couldn't be more proud of the way that we approached and played each game. It's a great feeling to bring home a National Championship for the club."