RALEIGH, N.C. (Aug. 1, 2004) – California teams displayed their dominance at the U14-U15 National Cup III Finals July 29-Aug. 1 in Raleigh, N.C. claiming three of the six national titles at stake.

The La Jolla Nomads (CA) got California on the board after hoisting The Cup in the U14 Premier Boys division at SAS Soccer Park.  A 4-2 victory over Scott Gallagher (MO) clinched the title after the Nomads romped through group play outscoring their opposition by a 20-2 differential.

The girls’ U14 final featured an all-West Coast matchup as the Spokane Shadow (WA) faced Marin FC (CA).  Earlier in the competition, the two sides had fought to a 1-1 tie, but in the final, Marin FC got the upper hand defeating the Spokane Shadow, 3-1.

NAPA Sport (CA) completed California’s dominance at the National Cup III Finals by winning the U15 Division 1 Boys competition.  Olmstead (PA) gave NAPA Sport its toughest match falling by a 2-1 score to the eventual National Cup III champion.

Two teams with local ties to the host state made their mark at the U14-U15 National Cup III Finals as well.  Hometown club CASL (NC) won the girls’ U15 Premier crown by edging BWSA (CA), 1-0, in the final.  Heroes FA (NC), coached by former U.S. men’s national team player Desmond Armstrong, claimed the boys’ U14 Division 1 title by sweeping all three matches of their round robin competition.

The Chicago Magic (IL) was victorious in the U15 Boys Premier division.  Facing Ironbound (NJ) in the final, the Chicago Magic posted a 2-0 shutout victory to earn the right to lift the Cup.

The National Cup III Finals conclude Aug. 5-8 in Stony Brook, N.Y. with the U16s and U17s competing for national titles.  Over 150 men’s coaches and 200 women’s coaches will attend the U16-U17 National Cup III Finals as they are being held in conjunction with the Score at the Shore college showcase, one of the nation’s largest college showcases.