The Dash Academy hosted teams from the Girls Academy League Frontier Conference this past weekend at Bear Branch and Gosling sports complexes in The Woodlands. Fifty-four elite level games were played on state-of-the-art turf fields during a three-day period. Participating clubs included: Lonestar Soccer Club (Austin, TX), Kansas Rush (Olathe, Kansas), Lou Fusz (St. Louis, Missouri), BVB International Academy (Carrollton, Texas) and Sporting St. Louis (Maryland Heights, Missouri). The Dash Academy completed the weekend with a record of 10-4-4.
Also in attendance were staff from multiple college programs.: Cornell University, Southern Utah University, UTEP, Texas Christian University, Newberry College, West Virginia, University of Iowa, Long Beach State University, Harvard University, Pittsburg University, Bowling Green University, Central Arkansas University, Texas A&M University, South Carolina University, Colorado Mesa University, Iowa State University, Stetson University, University of Utah, Virginia Tech University, Tufts University, University of Redlands, Davidson College, University of Miami, Liberty University, Emory University, Dickinson College, Penn State University, University of Florida, Columbia University, Point Loma University, University of Minnesota, San Diego State University, University of Rochester, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Texas, University of Houston, University of Kentucky, Michigan State University and Rice University.
"I would like to thank all the visiting teams, coaching staff, players, parents, volunteers and referees for making this weekend a tremendous success," said Coach Steven Grave, Girls Academy Coach | Event Director. "The club has a responsibility to continue to showcase and promote our players to college coaches from across the country. This was accomplished during the weekend by hosting and playing the above clubs on first class facilities."
"When I think of the experience that our club had this past weekend in Houston during the Girls Academy league play, one word comes to mind...quality. Quality opponents, a quality environment and quality facilities." Daouda Kante, Executive & Technical Director, Kansas Rush Soccer Club.
"Being brand new to the Houston Dash GA team, this showcase over the past weekend was a great experience for me to get more comfortable with my team and show off my abilities to the coaches present," said Abby Onstad, Dash Academy 2006 GK. "I think it was a good experience to showcase myself in front of top colleges because I was able to play with a great team against other elite level programs."
"Great showcase, good competition. I love how Dash reached out and welcomed top college coaches. Many were there to see their current recruits too. Two perfect venues to showcase our talented girls! Thanks, Dash!" Debbie Staton, event volunteer / club parent.
"By continuing to host events in The Woodlands provides opportunities for our local residents to enjoy their youth soccer experience in their own back yard thus bringing further economic impact to the local community," said Simon Boddison, Director of Soccer Operations. "I would like to thank The Woodlands Township, our hotel and food partners along with Memorial Hermann Hospital who covered all our athletic training needs for the event."