Fields are remembered as a positive from this tournament

BARBOURSVILLE -- The fields at the Barboursville Soccer Complex were a major talking point over the last few days by many teams.

But it was the quantity of fields in such close proximity -- not the condition of the fields after rain as some media outlets reported -- that had everyone abuzz at the US Youth Soccer Region I Championships.

While I could go on for days about all the compliments heard from this week's tournament, I think the words of Natalie Schwoeble, president of the Pennsylvania-West Soccer Association, summed it up best.

The words are the ultimate compliment from a person who sees the likes of soccer-rich traditions such as Beadling's club teams take the field on a regular basis.

"In Pa.-West and other states, we wish we had a complex like this," Schwoeble said. "We don't have anything above eight fields, maybe we have one with 11, so right now we can't hold (the Region I tournament).

"Next year, the fields will be better, and you'll be able to host tournaments for years to come. What's going to happen is that they are going to aerate and reseed and the fields are going to be better. You've got it all right here.

"Anybody that stands back and criticizes has never taken on a project like this and said 'Let's just go for it'."

KINGS OF REGION I: East Pennsylvania proved that it was the cream of the crop in Region I this year, going 5-of-6 in championship matches.

New Jersey led the way with eight championship entries, but only three teams came away with titles.

Eastern New York was right behind with seven championship teams, four of which held up the trophy at the end of the morning.

Virginia had five teams make the finals, including both finalists in the U-12 8v8 boys final. The state finished with two titles.

Maryland sent four teams into Tuesday's action, but the lone champion was the Casa Mia Bays U-19 boys, who earned a 2-1 win in penalty kicks over East Pennsylvania's FC Delco Blast.

Massachusetts fielded two teams in the finals with one emerging with a win.

Connecticut and New York West each fielded one team that came away as a champion.

Maine and Pennsylvania-West each had a representative, but no champion.

TIGHT COMPETITION: During Tuesday's championships, 14 of 18 matches were decided by one goal with four games going to overtime and another two going to penalty kicks to decide the winners.

ANOTHER HUNTINGTON CONNECTION: Jessica L. Huff, a 2004 graduate of Huntington High School, was the center referee in the U-14 girls championship match between Massachusetts' Scorpions SC and New Jersey's PDA Celtic.

Jessica is the highest ranking female referee in the state of West Virginia. She was the only West Virginia native participating in a final championship game.

Scorpions SC won the match, 1-0.

Grant Traylor is a reporter for The Herald-Dispatch. Contact him at (304) 526-2759 or gtraylor@herald-dispatch.com.