2011 ECNL National Championships Preview/Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two teams from Southern California, two from Texas, and one from Michigan, Illinois, North Carolina and Georgia make up this field of 8 competing for a a single national championship. The two teams who made the championship game last season are back in Virginia as San Diego Surf are defending their crown while So Cal Blues look to avenge their painful lost in the championship game this time last year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In our first matchup we have the finalists from last season So Cal Blues are taking on [program_tooltip program_id='280776' first='Eagles' last='SC']. Eagles are the closest thing to a home team in this field as we are going to get as they are closest to Richmond Virginia of any other team. [player_tooltip player_id='290428' first='CC' last='Chowana'] and [player_tooltip player_id='290430' first='Aubrielle' last='Beck'] impressed in San Diego for this Eagles team and they will need them to take down this very talented So Cal Blues side. So Cal Blues have talent on all levels. [player_tooltip player_id='280237' first='Brazil' last='Crockett'] is an outstanding defender who makes excellent reads and is as fast as any striker she went up against in San Diego to get this far. [player_tooltip player_id='290422' first='Bonnie' last='Earl'] and [player_tooltip player_id='290424' first='Hailey' last='Vang'] are also players to keep an eye on for this Blues side. I think So Cal Blues wins this one 2-1. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In our second matchup we have two powerhouse clubs going at it as defending champions San Diego Surf are taking on Solar. Solar have a fantastic trio of players in [player_tooltip player_id='280222' first='Ariana' last='Rodriguez'], [player_tooltip player_id='295094' first='Erin' last='Gonzalez'] and [player_tooltip player_id='295164' first='Faith' last='Staudenmyer'] that will have to be game planned for. Surf have a three headed monster of their own in Ajali Nimmagadda, [player_tooltip player_id='290438' first='Quinn' last='Seger'] and Ella Vanstamp. I think the defending champions edge this one 3-2. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In our 3rd matchup matchup we have two more monster ECNL clubs competing for a spot in the Semi-Finals. The might Michigan Hawks will be taking on FC Stars. Zeena Ndana is a playmaker who can change a game at any moment for the Hawks. Blakely Bickerstaff is another one to watch out for. FC Stars have an elite Goalkeeper in Delaney Barber. I think this game will go down to the wire in a closely contested 1-1 draw with FC Stars advancing on penalties. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In our last game of Quarter Final day we have Concorde Fire taking on Eclipse Select. Berkley O'Brien is an incredible defender and quite possibly the best outside back in this draw. Kai Bright is another player to watch who can make a big impact in this game for the Fire. Eclipse has an all world midfielder in Giada Colamatteo and another excellent contributor in Cambria Williams. I have Eclipse coming away with the victory in this one in a 2-1 victory. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Semi Finals </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So Cal Blues 2-1 San Diego Surf </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>FC Stars 1-2 Eclipse Select </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Final </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So Cal Blue 3-1 Eclipse Select </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last years Finalists come away with the silverware. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->