| Countryside Lightning U15 Girls Soccer Team Wins Southeast Region Premier Soccer League Championship December 1, 2002. Clearwater, Florida The Under 15 Girls from Countryside took home the Premier League Championship with a record of 5 wins, 2 losses, and a tie in a league made up of the top teams from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. The league is run by United States Youth Soccer Association's (USYSA) Region 3 with the intent to allow the best teams from each State to face off against the best competition possible. Only teams finishing among the top teams in each State are invited to participate. The Countryside team, made up of players from around the Tampa Bay area, clinched the league championship with key victories against the North & South Carolina teams. The Lightning are two-time State Champions in Florida and have represented Florida in national tournaments in Washington DC & Raleigh, North Carolina for the last three years. They are part of the Countryside Youth Soccer Association from Clearwater, FL. "The best lesson we learn from playing teams of this caliber is that we must always bring our 'A' game in order to be successful. This challenges our girls to always be prepared to play their best or they'll quickly fall behind," said John Planamenta, the Lightning's Head Coach. The Lightning players are Kasey Boston, Chelsea Brinkman, Ashton Charles, Anna Lea Crowe, Ashley Durie, Samantha Freedman, Caitlin Howard, Laura James, Hana Kaba, Wendy Moenart, Vanessa Rangel, Randi Richardson, Annie Stalzer, Tricia Townsend, Jane Wabeke, and Courtney Whidden. The coaches are John Planamenta, Ethan Boston, and Greg Brinkman. The Countryside Youth Soccer Association was formed in 1981 with a mission to provide quality soccer education and training for youth of all ages. They provide quality coaching at all levels of play in order to develop players to their fullest potential. |
 |