96 ECNL team finishes strong at Elite Clubs National Championships

The FC Dallas 96 ECNL Team finished the year strong with two wins and a tie at the National Championship in Aurora, Colorado.  Their performance promoted them to the upper Flight A for the upcoming season. 

The first day 5-2 win against Real Colorado was a huge motivator that helped FC Dallas blank San Juan 2-0 on day two.  The two wins secured FCD’s promotion to Flight A.  On the final day, Dallas came out strong against the Atlanta Fire, who needed a tie or win to be promoted.  FCD led 2-0 going into the last 10 minutes of the game, but Atlanta came back to score twice to end the game in a 2-2 draw. 

Natalie Schmutz (5), Belicia Mendiola (2) and Sarah King (2) all scored for FC Dallas’ U-15 team in Colorado. Goalkeepers Meg Smith and Kelsey Dombrowski also both contributed timely saves to boost the team’s performance at the tournament.

The FC Dallas U-15s finished the ECNL season with a record of 10-3-2.  The team scored 34 goals while giving up 12 to earn the second highest goal differential in the league.  The 2011-2012 season begins in August with a trip to Milwaukee, Wisc. to play SLSG and FC Milwaukee.  Then it’s on to Phoenix in October for the first ECNL National event of the season.