Academy Boys Excel at S. Carolina Showcase
December 5, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release
With high schools seasons wrapped up, showcase season has begun, and the Riverhounds Development Academy's oldest boys teams jumped right in against strong competition at the ECNL South Carolina showcase in Greer, S.C. from Dec. 1-3.
More than 150 colleges and universities were represented with coaches at the Palmetto State event, ranging from the NCAA Division I through Division III and NAIA levels, and the Hounds players acquitted themselves well in their first competitive action since coming back together as a group.
The oldest team in action, the 2005/06 Boys, put together the best set of results by finishing the weekend undefeated at 2-0-1 to finish among the best of the 68 teams in their age group.
A little rust and some nerves showed in the opening match with so many eyes on the team, but the 05/06s settled down after a rough first 20 minutes, and Mike Wellenchok scored to give the Hounds a 1-1 draw with San Antonio City SC. Wellenchock made it two goals in two games in the team's second match, and the Hounds kept a clean sheet for a 1-0 win in an all-USL battle with the Charlotte Independence. The team wrapped up their good weekend with a second straight shutout, scoring a 2-0 win over B-Elite Academy from Denver with Liam Burlovic and Jackson Suski scoring in the Sunday finale.
The 2007 Boys had a mixed set of results, but they responded well to being blitzed early by a Concorde Fire team out of Atlanta that finished the weekend unbeaten. After losing the opening match, 5-1, the Hounds came back on Day 2 to defeat North Carolina Fusion, 2-1, with Leo Yu and Aidan Thomas putting away the goals. The final match was another tough one, a 5-1 loss to a strong Tennessee SC side in a game that was 2-1 well into the second half. Still, the group showed improvement through the weekend ahead of the looming start of ECNL league play.
The 2008 Boys also had to bounce back from an opening loss, and they did well to finish with a 1-1-1 record. The team led early through a pair of clinical counter attacks before losing 5-2 to FC Dallas, a side that never conceded again after facing the Hounds on the way to topping the age group. The team regained its footing for a 1-1 draw with the Dallas Texans, and then they saved their best for last to get a 2-1 victory over Fairfax Brave SC (Va.)
For the 2009 Boys, the weekend was a learning experience with some competitive performances but no results to show for it. Goals weren't to be found for the team, as they fell 1-0 to both Charlotte Soccer Academy and Kansas City Athletics (Kan.). The trip ended with a 2-0 loss to Concorde Fire, but the team was never out of any of the three matches.
In addition to the team results, Carson Krushansky of the 05/06 Boys was honored by being chosen for the National Selection Game played on Friday night, pitting him against some of the best from around the country in the all-star match held in the evening.
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