Eagles On the Verge of U.S. Soccer History

The FIFA Women's World Cup final in Frankfurt, Germany isn't the only soccer game of historical significance being played Sunday. 

Approximately 4,500 miles away at Lovers Lane Soccer Complex in Bowling Green, KY., four UCLA players and their Under-23 Eagles SC squad will vie for an unprecedented fourth age-specific national title.

The Bruins' foursome is the most from any college on the Eagles, a Camarillo-based club team, and each has played a pivotal role in the squad's success over the years.

UCLA senior midfielder Charney Burk, freshman defender Ally Courtnall, senior defender Amelia Mathis and senior goalkeeper Chante' Sandiford have reunited with their Eagles teammates for a run at history.

On Friday evening, the Eagles shut out D'Feeters of Dallas, 5-0, to advance to the finals of the United States Adult Soccer National Championships, where it will meet the Kansas City Dynamos.

The championship game is scheduled to kick off at 9 a.m. local time Sunday so it doesn't conflict with the United States-Japan World Cup final.

"The team executed very well," Eagles Coach Vince Thomas said of Friday's semifinal victory. "Our back line of Coco Goodson, Amelia Mathis, Shannon McFadden and KC Smith played great in front of Chante Sandiford, and our playmakers were very good at setting the table."

Sandiford posted a 21-2-1 record in 2009 and started 23 of the 24 games she played for the Bruins, allowing only 15 goals all season; Burk has been involved with the U.S. National Team Program since the U-15 level; Courtnall was a standout at Oaks Christian High in Westlake Village before arriving in Westwood; and Amelia Mathis played in 23 games for the Bruins in 2008 on a team that had 19 shutouts.

"Amanda Lisberger and Emily Cressy on the outside set up most of the goals with great crosses and constant penetration into the box," Thomas added. "That in turn gave our big hitters, Lindsay Bullock, Kelsey Kraft, Haley Boysen and Lauren Jackson opportunities to score and all four of them did so." 

The Eagles won U.S. Youth Soccer National titles in the U14 division in 2004 and the U17 division in 2007. Last year, they defeated Arizona Rush Nike to win the U23 title and now the six-time Cal South State Champions will try for a repeat--and a page in the record book. 

The Eagles played a rigorous exhibition schedule to prepare for their quest for yet another national championship, including games versus the United States' U23 national team and the Pali Blues of the W-League.  

“It's amazing what this team has accomplished starting when they were just 13-year-olds,” Thomas said. “Now, as young women, they have a chance to do what no team ever has."

The Eagles' U23 roster (listed alphabetically) is as follows:

Haley Boysen -- USC (Moorpark, CA)

Lindsay Bullock -- Long Beach State (Manhattan Beach, CA)

Charney Burk -- UCLA (North Tustin, CA)

Judy Christopher -- UC Irvine (Ontario, CA)

Ally Courtnall -- UCLA (Thousand Oaks, CA)

Emily Cressy -- University of Kansas (Ventura, CA)

Courtney Goodson -- UC Irvine (Ramona, CA)

Lauren Jackson -- University of Kansas (Long Beach, CA)

Kelsey Kraft -- University of Oklahoma (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA)

Amanda Lisberger -- University of Texas (Pacific Palisades, CA)

Amelia Mathis -- UCLA (Ventura, CA) 

Shannon McFadden -- Washington State (Ventura, CA)

Monique Pendleberry -- UC Irvine (Newbury Park, CA)

Chante Sandiford -- UCLA (Owing Mills, MD)

Kelsea Smith -- Pepperdine (Camarillo, CA)