Erie FC’s U17 girls soccer team captured the National Cup title in Denver, Colorado, earlier this summer, finishing a remarkable season as national champions.
The squad, anchored by coach Jake Berg, blended local talent from northwestern Pennsylvania with a disciplined tactical approach that emphasized teamwork and technical precision.
Qualifying for the prestigious event required a state‑cup victory followed by a regional tournament win that bypassed the traditional Chicago regional, setting the stage for competition against teams from across the country.
In group play the team opened with a 3‑1 triumph over Legends FC from Santa Clarita, California, before dropping a narrow 2‑1 decision to Sporting Iowa, a result that tested their resilience.
A decisive final group match saw Erie FC trail 2‑1 against Florida Kraze Krush, only to rally with a late surge engineered by Audrey Eckwahl, who scored the equalizer and then the winner to secure a 4‑2 victory.
The championship game pitted the Pennsylvanian side against Sporting Iowa again, and a 2‑1 win crowned the champions, highlighting a defensive unit that featured five home‑grown defenders.
The season’s foundation was laid in November with indoor training sessions and friendlies against clubs from Kentucky and Cincinnati, a regimen that sharpened the players’ conditioning and chemistry.
Several members of the championship roster, including seniors Audrey Eckwahl, Brielle Berg and Mackenzie Rogers, have expressed intentions to continue their soccer careers at the collegiate level, underscoring the pathway the team has created for local talent.
A legacy in the making
Beyond the trophy, the team’s story reflects a broader rise of youth soccer in the region, where dedication, community support, and strategic coaching have turned a local club into a national contender.