MADISON – The United Soccer Club (USC) 96 Boys Premier team of North Alabama won the 2013 Alabama State Championships on Nov. 9 in Montgomery.

The United Soccer Club (USC) 96 Boys Premier team of North Alabama are 2013 Alabama State Champions. (CONTRIBUTED)

The USC team claimed the title for Division 1, U18 Boys.

“The boys competed hard all season and had great success along the way, preparing themselves for a fantastic finish on Nov. 9 at the State Championships Final Four weekend for the Alabama Youth Soccer Association (AYSA),” coach Paul Tedesco said.

Assisting Tedesco are USC staff directors Phil Moyer, Craig Maples and Rusty Campbell.

The North Alabama team defeated the Birmingham Legends 96 Boys in the semifinals 3-2 on goals from Dilan Sayer and Ediston (Gito) Costly. In the championship match, they faced the four-time defending state champions, Vestavia Steamers 96 Black of Vestavia Hills Soccer Club.

“In a heroic effort, the boys had the willpower, courage and determination to finish off the season as the Alabama state champions, as they defeated Vestavia 3-1 in the finals on goals from Dilan Sayer, Miguel Medina and Gito Costly,” Tedesco said.

Other team members are Thomas Frye, Chase Ballard, Hector Rodriguez, John Stuart Overton, Chase Sanford, Isaac Johnson, Angel Ibanez, Andrew Moore, Scott Waugh, Jack Patrick, Alexander Mingus, Matt Trulock, Josh Pohly, Chip Hightower, Peter Morse, Chris Koob, Cody McMahan and Josh McManus.

Team managers are Doug and Lisa Moore.

United Soccer Club was organized seven years ago. “This championship makes USC 96 Boys Premier the honorary first team for United Soccer Club to win an Alabama state title,” Tedesco said.

Team members attend Westminster Christian Academy, Randolph School, Valley Fellowship Christian Academy and East Limestone, Bob Jones, Sparkman, Grissom, Florence, Lee and Huntsville high schools, along with Lincoln County High School in Fayetteville, Tenn.

The USC 96 Boys Premier will represent the state at the Region III Southern Regional Championships for the United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) in June 2014 in Baton Rouge, La.