Lakewood Ranch U13 Boys at NPL Champions Cup

Team reaches semis against country's best

Lakewood Ranch U13 Boys at NPL Champions Cup

Chargers SC Feature

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

LAKEWOOD RANCH - The Lakewood Ranch Chargers U13 boys represented Florida and Chargers Soccer Club with great pride during the recent NPL Champions Cup. The tournament was held in Aurora, Colorado July 18-22 and featured regional champions from throughout the country playing for a national championship. 

The Chargers, who advanced to the tournament after claiming the Florida Premier League title, won their bracket and were undefeated in the group stage, booking a spot in the semifinals. 

The Chargers opened with a 5-1 win against Washington's Cobra Aguilitas as Alessandro Ciaccio, Henry Howell, Aristotle Zarris, Joel Sumaljag and Freddy Manriquez each scored in the win. 

Sumaljag made the difference by scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory against Chicago's Sockers FC in Game 2, and they closed out group play by beating California's Fullerton Rangers White 5-2 thanks to Howell's three goals and a goal apiece for Zarris and Ozzie Herrera.

The semifinal presented a tough match against New Jersey's PDA. The Chargers fell 3-0, and PDA eventually claimed the championship by beating FC Dallas in the final.

Sixteen players and their families had the time of their lives enjoying great soccer and the beauty of Colorado. The players are taking a well-deserved break and will be back in training in mid August, this time as part of the Chargers U13/14 US Soccer Federation Development Academy team.