The FC Bucks Fusion U16 girl’s soccer team earned an opportunity to represent their club at the 2008 US Club National Championships on July 27th in Virginia Beach. The Fusion coached by Richard Brownell, won their three preliminary games to advance to the semi-finals. The first game the Fusion took control early against Massachusetts Premier Academy ending the game with a 2-0 shutout. In the first half, Julia Gomes started the scoring off an assist by Janine Valerio and in the second half, Madison Clemens sealed the win with an assist off of Tierney Carabba. Outstanding performances were turned in by Megan Campbell, Suzie Trezza and Ashley Feldman. The Fusion dominated the second game against Washington Township, NJ. by a score of 5-0. Finding the net with solo goals were Keriann McGettigan, Emily Irons and Carabba. Irons also posted another goal from a long assisted ball from Gomes. To seal the win, Sarah Senoyuit struck a wonderful ball from Clemens to continue the winning streak. The third game was the toughest for the Fusion team as they faced Laurel Lightning, MD. After 80 minutes of tough physical back and forth play, the game ended in a 0-0 tie. Outstanding play was turned in by the defensive line of Julia Goldsworthy, Melanie Keer, Brittany MacDonald and Chelsea Czarnik. The Fusion team moved on to face Toms River Hurricanes, NJ. in the Semi-Finals. Once again the team pulled out another spectacular win by dominating their opponent by a score of 2-0. Irons scored first to put the Fusion on the board with an assist by Jessica Sarkisian. The second goal came from a beautiful pass by Kaitlyn Schultz to Clemens who strategically placed the ball pass the goalie. The finals placed the Fusion back up against the Laurel Lightning team who played them tough the day before. Both teams battled up and down the field but it was Irons who capitalized off a corner kick by Schultz to clinch the game winning goal 1-0. The Fusion posted 10 goals for the weekend and 0 against. This is largely due to the amazing goaltending performances turned in by Nicole Ulrick throughout the weekend. The Fusion team will now compete for the US Club National Title.