ESA boys team competes in Got Milk? Soccer Shootout

from staff reports

   The Elizabethton Soccer Association (ESA) fielded an under-17 boys team at the Got Milk? 3-v-3 Soccer Shootout National Championship in Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex Jan. 17-19.
   ESA United played four games in the finals, placing 15th out of 20 teams from across the United States. They won a tough game against the Sonics from Maryland, while being edged out by last year's champions, the Greeks from Illinois.
   The 3-v-3 Soccer Shootout National Tour consists of 65 soccer events from Los Angeles to New York City. To earn an invitation to the national finals, Elizabethton placed fifth at the Region 3 tournament in Atlanta last July and third at the southeast sectional tournament in Orlando last August.
   "This is the first year Elizabethton has played on the 3-v-3 tour, and I'm so proud of how far they went," said Coach Dan Cogan. "They worked hard, played smart and had a blast showing everyone how competitive they are.
   "I saw them upset a seasoned team from Maryland and frustrate last year's national champions with very solid play. That's just an amazing showing, their first season on tour."
   Team members include Elizabethton High School soccer players Robert Cogan (senior), Adam Green (sophmore), Drew LaPorte (sophmore), Jeff Alman (junior) and Ben Carey (junior).
   3-v-3 play features teams of five, consisting of three players and two substitutes. The game is played on a 30 x 40 yard field, and there are no goalkeepers.
   ESA soccer players are currently competing in indoor soccer league play at the Buffalo Valley Sports Complex in Erwin. The entire ESA competitive boys team of 18 players is also entered in the Augusta Arsenal Shootout in Augusta, GA, Feb. 7-8 where they will be competing aagainst top-ranked teams from Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina.