The Xplosion overcame the challenges of poor field conditions and record high temperatures to earn their second consecutive Region 1 Championship. The team will now return to the USYSA Nationals (Overland Park, KS) for the third straight year in hopes of claiming their first National Championship. At the regionals held in Barboursville, WV the team opened up with a convincing 3-0 win over R1PL representative Manhattan Phoenix. The team struck early with a beautiful combination play that resulted in a goal by Jimmy Ockford in the first 5 minutes of the game. The Xplosion would add a goal right before the half on a back post header by Ben Wysocki. The team closed out the 3-0 win on a neatly placed direct kick from Steve Neumann midway throught the 2nd half. In their 2nd preliminary game, the team faced MD champs, Freestate Dragons. Freestate had lost their first game so they cam eout very strong with alot of emotion early on in an effort to even their record and keep themselves alive in the group. The Xplosion quieted the team and coach with (2) first half goals by Jimmy ockford and Colin Skelly. Xplosion would score (2) additional 2nd half goals by Manolo Sanchez and Jimmy Ockford for the 4-0 win. Entering the 3rd and final preliminary game vs Seacoast ME, the Xplosion only needed a tie, or a Manhattan win vs Freestate to advance to the semi-finals. About 10 minutes into the game, a bad bounce on the deteriorating fields led to a mis-kick in the back that was intercepted by a Seacoast player who hit a nice volley into the top corner for a 1-0 lead. Seacoast them organized themselves well in their half of the field and made it difficult for the Xplosion offense. With numerous chances sent wide or over the bar, the game ended 1-0 to Seacoast. On the field next to us, the Manhattan vs Freestate game was at 1-1 with about 5 minutes to go and did not look like either team had the energy to push forward. A 1-1 result in this game would send the Xplosion home and Seacoast to the semi's. Right before the final whistle, Manhattan made one last run forward and score the winner to send the Xplosion to the semi's on tie breakers. With new life, the team regrouped and prepared for a our semi-final vs Middle Country (NY-E). Middle Country put up a great effort in trying to shut down the Xplosion. Again, the field made it nearly impossible to play, so it was a fight for every ball. With about 20 minutes left in the game, Eddie Adams beat his defender on the right side and dribbled across the end line. He passed the ball out to Steve Neumann whose shot bounced off the post. Ben Wysocki was well positioned for the rebound, and slotted it home. The Xplosion added a 2nd goal 5 minutes later on a PK by Brian Powers to move into the finals vs TSF Academy (NJ). The Xplosion and TSF had met in the two previous Regionals, with Xplosion winning last year 1-0 and the teams playing to a 1-1 draw in 2008. TSF came into the finals without conceding a goal in a very tough bracket, and winning their semi-final 3-0 over Beachside (CT). With temps in the high 90's and the game played on a dusty field, both teams still played some good soccer and generated numerous opportunities. With about 10 minutes left in the final and the game looking like it was headed to OT, the referee called the Xplosion for an questionable infraction in the box on a throw in and awarding TSF with a PK. As has happened many times over the years, Drew Hutchins came up big with the PK save and kept our hopes alive. After 90 minutes the teams were still tied at 0-0 and headed to OT and possible PK's to decide the champion. In the 2nd OT, as the teams were fighting the heat, Jake Fields launched a well placed diagonal ball into the box that was headed by Colin Skelly. The ball came to Jimmy Ockford who headed the ball off the crossbar. The ball rebounded back to Jon Louisignau who calmly chested the ball down and then side volleyed it into the net for the dramatic 1-0 lead. The defense held strong for the final 10 minutes, and the Xplosion had repreated as Region 1 champions. Congratulations to all and best of luck at Nationals!

The Xplosion received an automatic trip to their 5th Region 1 Championship tournament by defeating Manhattan Phoenix 1-0 in the finals of the Region 1 Premier League. The 2010 championship was the culmination of an incredible 5 year run in R1PL that included:

The YMS Xplosion team is pleased to announce the following player commitments to D1 and D3 colleges.

* Chris Makowski (#9, Def) - Syracuse    Chris will be graduating from Faith Christian Academy in 2011 and joined the Xplosion in the fall of 2009. Chris has committed to Syracuse Univ in the fall of 2011. Syracuse competes in the Big East Conference and is coached by Ian McIntyre.

* Dan Christiansen (#12, MF) - Hofstra    Dan will be graduating from CB East in 2010 and has been playing with the Xplosion since U13. Dan has committed to attend Hofstra Univ in the fall of 2010. Hofstra competes in the CAA Conference and is coached by Richard Nuttall.

* Michael Moulton(#3, GK) - St Joseph's      Michael will be graduating from Notre Dame HS (NJ) in 2010 and has been playing for the Xplosion since U8. Michael has committed to attend St Joe's in the fall of 2010. St Joe's competes in the Atlantic 10 conference and is coached by Don D'Ambra.

* Eddie Adams (#17, ST) - Univ of Delaware    Eddie will be graduating from Pennsbury High School in 2010 and has been playing in the YMS program since U8, and with the Xplosion since U12. Eddie has committed to attend the University of Delaware in the fall of 2010. UD competes in the CAA conference and is coached by Ian Hennessy.

* Chris Wysocki (#4, MF) - Carnegie Mellon Univ   Chris will be graduating from Germantown Academy in 2010 and has been playing in the YMS program since U9 and with the Xplosion since U11. Chris has committed to attend Carnegie Mellon Univ in the fall of 2010. CMU is a member of the University Athletic Association and is coached by Arron Lujon.

* Sepp Dasbach (#14, Defender) - Penn State Univ   Sepp will be graduating from Wissahickon High School in 2010 and has been playing with the Xplosion since U13. Sepp has committed to attend Penn State Univ in 2010. Penn State is a member of the Big ten conference and is coached by Barry Gorman.

* Drew Hutchins (#1, GK) - Stanford Univ   Drew will be graduating from Pennsbury High School in 2010 and has been playing in the YMS program since U8, and with the Xplosion since U10. Drew has committed to attend Stanford University in 2010. Stanford is a member of the PAC Ten conference and is coached by Bret Simon. Drew is a current member of the 1992 ODP Region 1 team.

* Ben Wysocki (#15, Striker) - Lehigh Univ   Ben will be graduating from Germantown Academy in 2010 and has been playing in the YMS program since U9, and with the Xplosion since U11. Ben has committed to attend Lehigh University in 2010. Lehigh is a member of the Patriot League conference and is coached by Dean Koski. Ben will join teammate Brian Powers at Lehigh.

* Brian Powers (#7, Left FB) - Lehigh Univ   Brian will be graduating from Pennsbury High School in 2010 and has been playing with the Xplosion since U8. Brian has committed to attend Lehigh University in 2010. Lehigh is a member of the Patriot League conference and is coached by Dean Koski.

* Colin Skelly (#6, Def CM) - Dartmouth College    Colin will be graduating from Germantown Academy in 2010 and has been playing with the Xplosion since U13. Colin has committed to attend Dartmouth College in 2010. Dartmouth is a member of the Ivy League conference and is coached by Jeff Cook.

* Steve Neumann (#5 Central MF) - Georgetown Univ    Steve will be graduating from Council Rock North High School in 2010 and has been playing with the Xplosion since U8. Steve has committed to attend Georgetown Univ in 2010. Georgetown is a member of the Big East conference and is coached by Brian Wiese. Steve is a current member of the EPYSA 1991 ODP team.

* Manolo Sanchez (#18 Attacking MF) - Louisville    Manolo will be graduating from Germantown Friends in 2010 and has been playing with the Xplosion since U12. Manolo has committed to attend the University of Louisville in 2010. Louisville is a member of the Big East conference and is coached by Ken Lolla. Manolo is a current member of the Region 1 1991 ODP team.

* Jake Fields (#20 Defender) - Villanova     Jake will be graduating from Council Rock North in 2010 and has been playing with the Xplosion since U9. Jake has committed to attend Villanova Univ in 2010. Villanova is a member of the Big East conference and is coached by Tom Carlin. Jake is a current member of the EPYSA ODP 91 state team.

* Jimmy Ockford (#10 Outside Mid Fielder) - Mount St Mary’s     Jimmy will be graduating from Pennsbury High School in 2010 and has been playing within the YMS system since U8. Jimmy has committed to join current Xplosion teammate Ryan Tessler (2009), and his brother Alex (2009) at Mt St Mary’s in the fall of 2010. Jimmy is on the EPYSA ODP 92 team that won the Region 1 championships and competed at the nationals.

* Eric Schoenle  (#25 Central Defender) - West Virginia              Eric graduated from Pennsbury High School in 2009 and has been playing within the YMS system since U9.  Eric is a freshman starter for the 2009 West Virginia soccer team, coached by Marlon LeBlanc.

* Ryan Tessler (#13 Central Defender) - Mount St Mary’s             Ryan graduated from Council Rock High School North in 2009 and has been playing with the Xplosion since the Fall of U12. Ryan is a freshman starter for the 2009 Mount St Mary’s soccer team coached by Rob Ryerson.

Congratulations to all of the Xplosion players on this well deserved announcement.

Congratulations to Xplosion central defender, Eric Schoenle, for being named to the All-Big East Rookie and the TopDrawerSoccer All-NCAA Rookie teams for his work this past season at West Virginia Univ. Eric was the only field player for West Virginia to start and play in every minute of every game this past fall.

2009 TopDrawerSoccer All Rookie Team

All Rookie 1st Team GK Justin Luthy, Boston College D Andrew Wenger, Duke D Eric Schoenle, West Virginia M Alex Sweetin, St. Louis M Machael David, UC Santa Barbara M Amobi Okugo, UCLA M Will Bates, Virginia F Carlos Alvarez, Connecticut F Chris Hegngi, Ohio State F Don Anding, Northeastern F Adam Jahn, Stanford

All Rookie 2nd Team GK David Meves, Akron D Taylor Kemp, Maryland D Matt Wiet, Indiana M Jonathan Prieto, UC Irvine M Dion Acoff, Creighton M Dillon Powers, Notre Dame F Andy Lubahn, Wake Forest F Ryan Finley, Duke F Etienne Boulanger, UNC Wilmington F Jennings Rex, Charlotte F Hasani Sinclair, South Florida

The YMS Xplosion U17 premier boys soccer team claimed YMS's first ever Region One Championship when they defeated Seacoast (ME) 2-0 in OT at the regional finals in Barboursville, WV. The Xplosion advanced through a very difficult bracket by defeating both TSF Academy (NJ), and GFA Elite (VA) 1-0 on late goals. The Xplosion then handily defeated Bruno (RI) 4-0 in the semi-finals to set up the overtime thriller with Seacoast for the championship. The team now moves on to the USYSA National Championships to be held on July 22-26 at Citizens Bank soccer complex in Lancaster, MA. The Xplosion will face Triangle FC (NC), Lower Merion Velez (E-PA), and CZ Elite (CA-S) for the chance to play for the National title. Congratulations to the Xplosion team and coaches for this great achievement and best of luck at Nationals.

The Xplosion team is trained throughout the year by YMS Director of Coaching, John Greaves. Coach Greaves holds the UEFA B license, and has been an integral part of the coaching staffs at various clubs in the United Kingdom including Sheffield United, Nottingham Forest, Barnsley, Leicester City and Brighton & Hove Albion. The Xplosion players also receive a weekly skills / technical session from David Simpson, who is part of the YMS professional coaching staff under coach Greaves direction. Coach Simpson’s certifications include his USSF A License, NSCAA National License, UEFA, Coerver / BRUSA certified as well as participating on the staff of EPYSA ODP. The philosophy of Coach Greaves and his staff is to focus their sessions and teaching on continuing player development, as well as understanding all aspects of the game of soccer.

The 2009-10 Xplosion team will play in the U18 Region 1 Premier League, and a host of top level College Showcase events in an effort to provide our players with the best possible opportunity for exposure to coaches from the colleges that they are interested in attending. If you have any questions regarding tryouts or attending an Xplosion practice sessions please send an email to Jim Powers at jim.powers@hp.com or call 215-369-8280.