FC Stars have yet to lose a game across two days of competition at the ECNL Girls National Playoffs, securing four more wins across all age groups.

The U17 ECNL Blue, U17 ECNL White, U15 ECNL Blue, and U14 ECNL Blue teams all earned victories in Day 2 of the playoffs. While the four teams can go to sleep tonight with three points on the board, it was contrasting fortunes on how they each arrived there. 

The game of the day took place in the morning, as the U17 FC Stars ECNL Blue team came back from a 2-0 halftime deficit to win 3-2. Kaitlyn O’Connell, Lexi Taylor, and Carline Hood bagged important goals for Stars, who won their first game of Champions League group stage play yesterday. Hood scored the winner with 10 minutes left to clinch her team the victory. 

Head Coach Jason Dewhust admitted after the match that the halftime scoreline was fair, but key tactical and emotional changes sparked the comeback. 

“We didn't start the game well enough and deserved to be losing 2-0 at half,” he said.  “We changed a few things personal-wise and the formation changed as well. We said ‘Get an early goal, and we can go on and win.’ Kaitlyn O’Connell scored after six minutes into the second half and I could see our whole personality as a team change. We were on the front foot from then on.”

The U17 ECNL Blue team have their final group stage game on Saturday, where they’ll face off against Internationals FC. Both teams have won their opening two games, so the top spot in the group is up for grabs. Internationals FC lead on goal differential.  

Not to be outdone, the U17 Girls ECNL White team advanced to the semifinal of the Showcase Cup A, defeating the number one overall seed Colorado Rapids 1-0. Stars, who are the 8th seed, have a welcomed day of rest before facing off against Challenge SC on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. local time (1:00 p.m. EST). 

“Girls grinded from the first whistle and got the job done,” said FC Stars Head Coach Shawn McDonough. “We aren’t done yet. Looking forward to the semifinal.

The U14 FC Stars ECNL Blue (pictured below) opened up their Champions League group stage with a close-fought 1-0 victory over La Roca FC, who hail from Utah. Stars will play their second game in as many days tomorrow when they play CESA, who suffered a 5-1 defeat this morning to Slammers FC HB KØGE.  Slammers FC lead the overall group on goal difference through one matchday. 

“The team had to grind to get the win today,” said Stars Head Coach Kevin Mascary. “Fair play to La Roca. They were organized and made it very hard. The girls showed grit and were relentless. (It was a) great win.”

In the afternoon, the U15 FC Stars ECNL Blue team opened up their group stage play in Redmond with a comfortable 6-1 win over Orlando City. It is the first game that an FC Stars team played in that had a margin of victory that was more than one goal. 

Four more FC Stars teams play tomorrow, including the U13 ECNL Blue team. They play their opening match of the national playoffs against Solar SC at 2:30 EST. 
 

Full Schedule (all times EST):

U13 FC Stars ECNL Blue

• 6/24 - FC Stars ECNL Blue vs Solar SC @ 2:30 p.m.
• 6/26 - FC Stars ECNL Blue vs Real Colorado National @ 4 p.m.
• 6/27 - FC Stars ECNL Blue vs NC Courage @ 1 p.m.

U14 FC Stars ECNL Blue

• 6/23 - FC Stars ECNL Blue vs La Roca FC (1-0)
• 6/24 - FC Stars ECNL Blue vs CESA @ 12:45 p.m.
• 6/26 - FC Stars ECNL Blue vs Slammers FC HB KØGE @ 11 a.m.

U15 FC Stars ECNL Blue

• 6/23 - FC Stars ECNL Blue vs Orlando City (6-1)
• 6/24 - FC Stars ECNL Blue vs Mustang SC @ 6:00 p.m.
• 6/26 - FC Stars ECNL Blue vs Michigan Hawks @ 3:00 p.m.

U17 FC Stars ECNL Blue

• 6/22 - FC Stars ECNL Blue vs Portland Thorns Academy (2-1)
• 6/23 - FC Stars ECNL Blue vs Charlotte SA (3-2)
• 6/25 - FC Stars ECNL Blue vs Internationals SC @ 11 a.m.

U16 FC Stars ECNL Blue

• 6/22 - FC Stars ECNL Blue vs Alabama FC (2-1)
• 6/24 -  FC Stars ECNL Blue vs Cleveland Force @ 1:45 p.m.
• Game 3: TBD

U17 FC Stars ECNL White

• 6/22 - FC Stars ECNL White vs Midwest United (2 -1)
• 6/23 - FC Stars ECNL White vs Colorado Rapids (1 -0)
• 6/25 - FC Stars ECNL White vs Challenge SC @ 1:00 p.m.

Follow FC Stars on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook for up-to-date information and scores across the ECNL Girls National Playoffs. Click here for current scores and standings across all age groups. For information on the playoffs at large, visit the ECNL Girls website.