Schulz Academy teams registered impressive performaces at the 2004 Super Y League National Finals held in Orlando, Florida from November 19th through the 23rd. The U14 Boys (born 1990) were crowned the 2004 North American Champions without giving up a single goal in regulation or overtime play. The U13 Boys (born 1991) were finalists and ended as the number 1 U.S. team, and the U15 boys (born 1989) finished with a 2 and 2 record despite not having the services of U.S. National Team player Josmer Altidore.

The U14 Boys won their championship with rock solid defense. Anchored by tournament MVP Shawn Barry, the U14 Boys did not give up a single goal on route to their championship game encounter with the Chicago Magic. After going scoreless in regulation and overtime, the teams went to penalty kicks where Schulz Academy came up 4-2 winners. This result means the U14 Boys can lay claim to being the number 1 team in the country.

The U13 Boys battled it's way to the championship game with impressive wins over some the country's top teams including Reading Rage (2-0), Spokane Shadow (3-0), Vadar SC (4-0 in the semi-final) and a hard fought 2-2 tie against tournament favorite Metro FC that saw co-captain Donovan Henry score a championship saving goal off an impressive 30 yard dribble with 2 minutes left in regulation time. However, the run to the championship game came with a heavy price as the team lost co-captain Sam Tover to a broken arm. Tover sparked the team in the semi-finals and his services were missed in the final as the team fell to Vancouver 0-2 giving up two goals late in the second half. On a positive note, the Schulz Academy U13 Boys can still lay claim to being the number 1 team in the U.S.

The U15 Boys were lumped in the group of death with the defending champions Chicago Magic and the Canadian champions Vancouver Whitecaps. Despite dominating all of their opponents and displaying superior technical play, the team dropped both results 2-3 to the Whitecaps and the Magic. Notably, the team did not have the services of forward and U.S. U17 player Josmer Altidore who was sidelined with a minor injury. Technical Director Josef Schulz said although Altidore could have played and would have made a difference, it was not worth the risk of potentially harming the young player who has such a bright future with U.S. Soccer. In any event, the U15 Boys finished with a 2 and 2 record and got outstanding performances from forwards Matthew Luzunaris (captain) and Jonathan Hohn.

Technical Director, Josef Schulz, congratulated all the players and said, "I am very proud of the way each player represented the Academy and the State of Florida in the big event."

A two-hour Super Y-League North American Finals highlight show will be aired on Fox Sports World on Saturday, December 4th at 8:00pm ET.

:: posted November 24, 2004 @ 11:35 AM by Gary Cole