Winston-Salem, NC - Aug 18th & 19th: This past weekend, Roanoke Star attended the pre-season Twin City Fall Classic with the U14B Elite, U13G, U14G, U15G, U16G, U17G and U18G Elite all in action. The event was an excellent tournament for our teams as the players stepped up pre-season preparations by getting some games under their belts. The U15G Elite, U17G Elite and U18G Elite ended up lifting the championship trophy as they went onto win in the final games.

In the Championship matches, the U15G Elite won 1-0 vs Jacksonville Area 96, the U17G Elite defeated NCUSA NC United 94 6-0 and the U18G Elite won 2-0 vs Burlington Soccer Club.

Assistant Director of Coaching, Martin Smith, who attended the tournament with the U17G Elite, had this to say about the event: "It was great to get the season underway and play in the Twin City pre-season tournament. The coaches and players were excited to be back in action after the summer and we all enjoyed alot of success on the fields. It was good for the coaches to have a look at new players, try different systems and certainly helped us with our pre-season preparations. The players had the chance to work on their match fitness and I was really pleased at how our teams performed and the style of play we incorporated this past weekend".  

Smith then went onto add, "On a personal note, I was very pleased with how the U17G Elite performed. We've brought in some new players and having Sarah Lawryszek back who missed all off last season with injury is a massive bonus. We've spent three weeks of pre-season working on a new system and to see the players out there trying new things was very encouraging. Some of the possession soccer we played at times was excellent. The new players have settled in well and we performed to a very high standard. Congratulations to all our teams this weekend and keep up the good work". 

Next up is the North Mecklenberg Tournament on August 25th and 26th where the U11, U12 Boys and Girls Elite and Premier Boys and Girls will all be in action.

Above: U15G Elite L to R: Hannah Overstreet, Emily Hillman, Jenna West, Clare Sullivan, Lindsey Mannon, Lauren Huff, Lissa Smith, Sarah Maurer, Gabrielle Smidt, Savannah Cowan, Maddison Maxey, Kari Furrow, Gabby McCelland and Kemper Wills.

Above: U17G Elite Back row L to R: Sarah Lawryszek, Emily Whittaker, Taylor Tester, Mary Copper, Keegan Bickel, Haily Mitchell, Brooke Sauderwald, Sydney Varney, Faith Kurek, Laura Garbarini and Coach Martin Smith. Front row L to R: Mackenzie Sorrells, Carly Graves, Heather Mwitanti, Cassidy Ratliff, Cassidy McRorie, Savannah Neal and Jackie Chick

Above: U18G Elite Back Row L to R: Morgan Meyer, Aylssa Mitchell, Tricia Jesse, Mirah Martin, Kim Migliarese, Jessica O'Bryant, Kennedi VanRavestein, Taylor Patterson and Coach Matthew Neale. Front tow L to R: Callie White, Kim Shaver, Lauren Greene, Lexi Denny, Murray Meyer and Chelsea Griffin.