The Highland Football Club (HFC) 01 Red Girls, a U16 Premier team,

has had a season of firsts: first season playing together as a team, winning the North Carolina Youth Soccer Association (NCYSA) U16 Premier Division, a first in the 30-year history of the Highland Football Club (HFC). They now have advanced to the NC United States Youth Soccer (USYS) State Cup Final Four in the U16 Division.

“I am so incredibly proud of this group of girls. It is easy to be proud of the accomplishments they have had on the field this year, but I am far more proud of the character they display day in and day out. Their toughness, togetherness, attitude, work ethic, determination, grit, etc. are truly special. I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to work with this group of players,” said Jason ReMine, director of coaching and player development – classic girls and coach of 01 HFC Red Girls.

The road to the NC United States Youth Soccer State Cup (NC USYS) final four started for the Highland Football Club (HFC) 01 Red Girls U16 in August when the players won their first tournament, the Riverside Summer Shootout.

The squad competed against: Furman United Soccer Club (FUSC) 01 Girls Black (4-0); Capitol Area Soccer League (CASL) Ladies Black G (2-1); and, the Charlotte Soccer Academy (CSA) Charlotte Copa G, twice, to win the U16 Girls Red Division. The team scored nine goals and had two scored against them during tournament play.

The 01 HFC Red G went on to win the U16 Girls’ North Carolina Youth Soccer Association (NCYSA) Premier League, which is the highest statewide league, consisting of top teams from across the state of North Carolina.

The 01 HFC Red Girls competed against the Piedmont Triad Football Club (PTFC) Lady Black G, Lake Norman Soccer Club (LNSC) Eclipse Blue G, Charlotte United Futbol Club (CUFC) Gold G, Capitol Area Soccer League (CASL) Ladies Black G, Pit Greenville Soccer Association (PGSA) Stars G, Triangle United Soccer Academy (TUSA) Gold G, Triangle Futbol Club Alliance (TFCA) Select G and Charlotte Soccer Academy (CSA) Charlotte Copa G to win the division. The team went 6-1-1 during the tough league schedule, scoring 15 goals and only allowing two goals. 

At the NC USYS State Cup, there were 16 teams divided into four brackets. The 01 HFC Red Girls, played against the PGSA Stars, TUSA Gold Girls and CASL Ladies Red G teams.

The journey to the NC USYS State Cup Championship round began on October 30, in Burlington, when the 01HFC Red G shut-out the PGSA Stars, 8-0. Leading the team in goals for the match was: Morgan Hill and Annabelle Sparks (2 each); Reese Alley, Keely Simmons, Ella Dockendorf and Camryn Bollick with one goal each. 

On Nov. 5 and 6 the competition moved to Asheville, for the next two matches of the competition. The 01HFC Red G shut down the TUSA Gold G 2-0, on Saturday at John B. Lewis Soccer Complex. Lauren Singleton and Annabelle Sparks each scored a goal, securing the win for the team.

Going into Sundays match against CASL Ladies Red G, the squad was in first place; however, in order to advance to the semi-final round, 01 HFC Red G had to either win or tie with the CASL Ladies Red G. The 01 HFC Red G were down 1-0 at halftime, after CASL Ladies Red G scored a goal on a Penalty Kick (PK). The team rallied from the deficit, scoring three goals, winning their bracket and securing a spot as one of final four teams competing for the State Cup. Ella Dockendorf (2) and Annabelle Sparks (1) scored the goals in the match against CASL Ladies Red G. 

“Any time a team can be one of the last four teams in the state then that is obviously a tremendous accomplishment. It is great to have a team advance to the NCYSA Final Four and we are extremely proud of the players. It is a great testament to all of the quality work that is being done with the girls here in Western North Carolina with both the club and high school soccer.” Said ReMine.

In addition to the 01 HFC Red Girls, the following teams also made it to the final four in the Premier Division: WHYFC Ladies White G, Charlotte Soccer Academy (CSA) North-Cab Predator G and the CSA Charlotte Predator Girls.

– article submitted by Sherry Swaim