Here is Your Preview of the 2017-18 Conferences
Established in 2009, the Elite Clubs National League has transformed youth female soccer over the past 8 years.
The ECNL is the proving ground and development platform for the future. An astonishing 90% of the graduating alumni moving on to dominate the best conferences in collegiate soccer. In the 2017-18 season, the collegiate stars of the future will be competing in one of eight conferences across the United States.
For all Conferences, the primary competition season is the spring.
ECNL NORTHEASTERN CONFERENCE
The ECNL’s Northeast Conference is comprised of 13 clubs across six states:
- Connecticut
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
- New York
- Pennsylvania
The Northeast Conference faces a slight realignment for the 2017-18 ECNL Season with the additions of Maryland teams, Bethesda Soccer Club and Maryland United, who will add to the rich tradition of competitiveness in the Northeast.
The Bethesda Soccer Club is based out of Gaithersburg, Maryland. They are committed to creating a competitive, supportive, challenging, and fun environment for all our players to reach their potential through the beautiful game of soccer.
“Bethesda is looking forward to the new challenges in the Northeast Conference. We feel all of our teams have made significant strides on the quest to be better every day,” says Shannon Cirovski, Bethesda SC Director of Coaching.
Maryland United FC strives to develop confident players who have not only reached their full athletic potential but are also prepared to become active and productive members of the community.
They are dedicated to serving the needs of the more committed soccer players by providing the highest level of education and instruction available thereby preparing the players to be a proud representative of the Club at local, state, regional and national competitions.
“We are excited about where we are as a club. Not only has our player pool improved, but we are also moving forward with plans on the technical side. We are establishing a playing style age 9-19, with an emphasis on sports science and video analysis for our high school age groups. The 2017-2018 ECNL Season is going to be an exciting year for our teams,” says Harry Canellakis, Maryland United Director of Coaching.
“The Northeast ECNL conference is one of the most competitive in the country, made up of clubs with huge tradition in player development. Every week each club needs to be at their best to compete. This competitive environment will improve each club and its members.” said Jason Dewhurst, ECNL Secretary and Treasurer.
ECNL NORTHWEST CONFERENCE
The ECNL’s Northwest Conference is the largest conference in the league, with 14 clubs.
The conference is divided into three divisions: Bay Area, Mountain and Pacific, across six states:
- California
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Oregon
- Utah
- Washington
The 2017-18 ECNL season marks the addition of one new member club in the Northwest
Conference and the Bay Area Division, Davis Legacy from the Sacramento area of Northern California.
Davis Legacy Soccer Club exists to provide the highest levels of quality soccer training for the players and to enhance their social/emotional and physical health, in a positive and safe environment.
Davis Legacy Soccer Club will create an atmosphere where our players develop a love of the game of soccer and continue to participate in the sport throughout their lifetime.
To achieve this goal, the club plans to develop an environment where we teach a creative, attacking, and possession-style soccer built on a foundation of
strong technical skills.
“We are excited and honored to embark upon our first ECNL campaign. We are looking forward to seeing how our players respond to being challenged at the next level, and welcome all the college exposure the league presents,” says David Robertson, Davis Legacy ECNL Director
“The Northwest Conference is comprised of three divisions, and is always very competitive. Every year the level of play increases, and it is exciting to see the development of the game and the league as a whole. It will be an exciting year for the ECNL,” said Pat Uriz, Northwest Representative.
ECNL SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE
The ECNL’s Southwest Conference is comprised of nine member clubs across three states:
- Arizona
- California
- Nevada
The 2017-18 ECNL Season marks the addition of one new member club in the Southwest
Conference: Del Mar Sharks from just north of San Diego, California.
Del Mar Sharks look to build on their consistent ability to develop top players in the formation age groups and add another competitive member club to the southern California region.
Their goal is to provide the opportunity for each of the players to train and play soccer in an environment where they can develop both individually and as a part of a team.
They seek to do this by providing a supportive yet challenging environment, with the hope that all players will reach their full potential and play at the highest level possible with their ability.
“Since the ECNL’s inception, the Southwest Conference has proven to be one of the deepest and most formidable conferences in the league. We have teams battling for the National Championship in each age group on an annual basis. In our highly competitive environment, all of our clubs have continued to make each other better every year and this year will be no different. We all look forward to another fantastic season for the Southwest Conference. We firmly believe the ECNL is poised for one of its finest seasons yet,” says Tom Amick, Southwest Representative.
ECNL OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE
The 2017-18 ECNL Season is the inaugural season for the Ohio Valley Conference. The ECNL’s Ohio Valley Conference is comprised of eight clubs across five states:
- Indiana
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
The 2016-17 ECNL season marks the addition of four new member clubs to the ECNL who will be playing in the Ohio Valley Conference: FC Alliance and Tennessee SC will expand the ECNL to Tennessee while FC Pride will add an ECNL member club in Indiana. The Pittsburgh Riverhounds are also new for the 2017-18 campaign and add to the reach of the ECNL in western Pennsylvania.
FC Alliance strives to provide the highest level of competitive play throughout Tennessee and the surrounding states. They never fail to encourage their players to develop physical fitness, competitive spirit, team play, loyalty, and good sportsmanship.
“We are very excited to be a part of the Ohio Valley Conference. The balance of ECNL veterans and new member clubs will create an amazing learning and competitive environment for our players and coaches,” said Josh Gray, FC Alliance Director of Coaching.
Tennessee Soccer Club’s mission is to foster a Love and Passion for soccer by developing players, supporting coaches, communicating with and appreciating parents, and positively impacting their community.
“We are honored to be part of the ECNL this year. We are all looking forward to seeing our players develop and compete in the ECNL environment, and hope to grow with the league over the coming years,” says Dean Blain, Tennessee SC ECNL Director.
FC Pride was founded in 2001 through a merger between three clubs in the Indianapolis area, and is based out of Lawrence Soccer Complex, one of the top facilities in the Midwest.
The club has excelled nationally in multiple competitions over the past several years, winning the U13 and U17 US Club Soccer National Cup in 2014, advancing to the
USYS National Championship semi-finals in 2015 and 2016, as well as
winning the U15 USYS National League in 2016.
“FC Pride Soccer Club is extremely excited to be joining the ECNL for the 2017-2018 season. The ECNL is proven as the best platform for the development of female athletes in the country, and we are proud to be a part of it. Our conference will provide top quality competition in every game, which will result in our staff and players being pushed to be at their best and keep growing every day. We look forward to the start of a great journey in the ECNL,” said Jamie Gilbert, FC Pride ECNL Director.
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds seek to identify, improve, and advance elite youth soccer players through the creation of a multi-faceted platform under the Pittsburgh Riverhounds professional team.
The Riverhounds consistently evaluates its players, staff, and programs, to ensure all meet the highest standards upheld by the professional team and its governing body; the United States Soccer Federation.
“Our club has worked diligently to gain acceptance into the ECNL for many years due to the high standards upheld, and regularly enhanced, by a league heavily focused upon putting players first. This is our first year in the league and our goal is to help add to the overall quality, on and off the field. It is an honor to compete against clubs of this caliber,” says Jason Kutney, Pittsburgh Riverhounds ECNL Director.
“The newly formed Ohio Valley Conference is very exciting. The addition of some key new members to go along with some ECNL mainstay clubs will provide an outstanding competition for 2017-18.
The fierce old rivalries will remain and new rivalries will be born.
The competition for Conference Championships and ECNL Playoff places will certainly come down to the wire. The ECNL’s ability to recognize the need for the conference to provide sensible travel and a great competition is a testament to the leagues ability to move and act quickly in the name of member clubs. It will be an honor for all eight clubs to compete in the Ohio Valley Conference,” said Doug Bracken, ECNL Vice President.
Source: ECNL Press Release
Graphic Credit: ECNL
