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WNY FLASH ACADEMY MADE WAVES ON THE NATIONAL  PLATFORM THIS SUMMER

The WNY Flash 02G ECNL & 03G ECNL both finished in the NATIONS Top 8 in 2017/18

BUFFALO, NY (September 25, 2018) --- While local and younger Flash teams were wrapping up their BWNYJSL and Thruway seasons, three teams, 01G ECNL, 02G ECNL, 03G ECNL, were headed to Seattle to compete in National Play Offs. All performed well and two came back having reached new heights for the WNY Flash academy, WNY's Top Youth Soccer Academy.

The WNY Flash 03G ECNL and 02G ECNL have resumed training for the 2018-2019 season.  It’s the first time they’ve all been together since they were competing for a spot in the ECNL final 4 last June in Seattle, Washington. Missing out in the 1/4 finals, by the finest of margins, in a PK Shootout in the case of the 03G ECNL.  

Qualifying for the Champions League portion of ECNL playoffs is no easy task.  Teams need to finish in the top three of their conference table, which puts them among the top 32 teams in the country.  They are then drawn into groups of 4 for playoffs, with the top team from each group advancing to the elite 8.  Both the WNY Flash 03G and 02G finished in 1st place in their group, which counted us among only a handful of clubs across the country having multiple teams advance to the elite 8.

The 03G ECNL finished 2017-2018 Ohio Valley Conference play at the top of the table with a 10-0-4 record.  Head Coach Aaran Lines stated that, “To go unbeaten and win the Ohio Valley Conference playing against such deep and competitive clubs showcased the talent we have developed in this age group and that we can compete against any big market clubs in the country. As a coach you measure yourself on developing every player and preparing your team to play, the consistency in our performances reflected that over the course of last season. I’m proud of the way this team represented themselves and the club in the quarterfinals(elite 8) of the Champions League, losing on PK's still stings, but will motivate this group to get back to the champions league and go one step further in 2018/19 season.”

Similarly, the 02G ECNL recorded a 10-2-2 record to finish the season in first place.  “Our 02 ECNL team made incredible steps forward both individually and collectively last season and topped off a remarkable season by winning the Ohio Valley Conference,” said head coach Aaran Lines. “The way this special group of young ladies came together during the season and found the spirit, belief and realization that they can compete against anyone was just enjoyable to be a part of. Playing the way we did in the Ohio Valley conference and making the quarterfinals of Champions league (elite 8) in the 02 age group was amazing and it gave us the chance to play the very impressive So Cal Blues and let our players experience playing the eventual back to back champions in this age group.”

The 03G and 02G ECNL will play their first ECNL conference game of the 2018-2019 season on December 8 vs. FC Pride.