They say it’s not how you start, but rather how you finish.
Here’s the thing, though. If you take care of business from the start, it can make that whole finishing part so much easier.
We’ve counted at least 16 club soccer teams from the LocalNews1.org coverage area that understand this concept and have been locked in from Day 1, including 10 squads that have yet to taste defeat.
The Union Soccer Club, based in Chambersburg, has been on top of its game in both Central Pennsylvania Youth Soccer League (CPYSL) and Elite Development Program (EDP) play.
The USC features six boys teams — the U9 Vipers (3-0), U10 Titans (2-1), U12 Wolverines (2-0), U12 Havoc (1-0), U13 Vikings (2-0-1), and U15 Heat (2-1) — that control at least a share of first place in their respective divisions. The same can be said for three USC girls squads: the U10 Tornadoes (2-1), U13 Thunder (2-1), and U14 Eclipse (2-1).
Greencastle United Soccer Club is also experiencing success in CPYSL action as two of its boys teams — U10 Frederick (2-0-1) and U11 Smagac (3-0) — are off to undefeated starts.
The United Recreational Soccer League kicked off its season last weekend, and five area teams opened with wins. Smithsburg Youth Athletics got wins from its Robertshaw, Card, and Smith teams, while the Waynesboro Gladiators and Fairfield Youth Soccer Club Lady Knights also started with victories.
Below is a league-by-league, team-by-team look at how club soccer squads from the LocalNews1.org coverage area have performed up to this point in the season:
CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA YOUTH SOCCER LEAGUE
Greencastle United Soccer Club
Boys
U10 Frederick
Coach: Trevor Frederick, Justin Blair (assistant)
Division: 2-West
Record: 2-0-1 (t-1st place)
Goals For/Against: 13/3
Game scores: Frederick 5, FCD Dynamos Black 1; Frederick 1, DASC Strikers 1; Frederick 7, Spring Grove Rampage 1
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at home vs. Carlisle Rockets
U10 Knoll
Coach: Zack Knoll, Jake Burns (assistant)
Division: 5-East
Record: 1-1 (t-2nd place)
Goals For/Against: 8/7
Game scores: Knoll 6, SSC Tornadoes 2; SMSA Chaos 5, Knoll 2
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at Keystone FC United
U11 Smagac
Coaches: Caleb Smagac, John Coulter (assistant)
Division: 4-South
Record: 3-0 (t-1st place)
Goals For/Against: 25/6
Game scores: Smagac 7, NEYSA Orange 2; Smagac 3, Eagle FC White 2; Smagac 15, FCD Intensity Blue 2
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at DASC Gunners
U13 Tracey
Coaches: Tara Tracey, Brian Baine (assistant)
Division: 5
Record: 1-1 (t-3rd place)
Goals For/Against: 8/12
Game scores: Tracey 7, SSC Firestorm 2; Hanover Black Carnage 10, Tracey 1
Next game: Sunday, Sept. 20, at WY Bulldogs FC Blue
U14 Wentzel
Coaches: David Wentzel, Brian Baine (assistant)
Division: 4
Record: 0-3 (t-9th)
Goals For/Against: 3/17
Game scores: Eagle FC White 3, Wentzel 0; TYSC Trailblazers 10, Wentzel 2; WY Bulldogs FC Blue 4, Wentzel 1
Next game: Sunday, Sept. 20, at USC Spartans
U14 Cook
Coaches: Logan Cook, Brian Baine (assistant)
Division: 2
Record: 0-2 (t-6th)
Goals For/Against: 2/11
Game scores: Tuscarora Titans 3, Cook 1; West Schuylkill FC Aces 8, Cook 1
Next game: Sunday, Sept. 20, at home vs. Nur Lions
Girls
U11 Searfoss
Coach: Nick Searfoss, Josh Adams (assistant)
Division: 4
Record: 0-1-1 (t-9th place)
Goals For/Against: 9/10
Game scores: Searfoss 5, NEYSA Black 5; Keystone FC United 5, Searfoss 4
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at Carlisle Lightning
U12 Lorenz
Coach: Jason Lorenz
Division: Division 3-West
Record: 0-2 (t-7th place)
Goals For/Against: 3/10
Game scores: Barrens Spark 4, Lorenz 2; Carlisle Lasers 6, Lorenz 1
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at FCD Duchesses Black
U13 Thomas
Coach: Patrick Thomas, Henry Foltz (assistant), Mike Kuhanek (manager)
Division: 3
Record: 0-3 (t-6th place)
Goals For/Against: 1/7
Game scores: Tuscarora Warriors 4, Thomas 1; USC Thunder 2, Thomas 0; Camp Hill SC 1, Thomas 1
Next game: Sunday, Sept. 20, at FCD Chaos Blue
Union Soccer Club (Chambersburg)
Boys
U9 Vipers
Coach: Monty Seaman, Jennifer Faith (manager)
Division: 3-West
Record: 3-0 (1st place)
Goals For/Against: 13/5
Game scores: Vipers 4, TSC Trojans Black 1; Vipers 3, Hanover Red Warriors 2; Vipers 6, Spring Grove Thunder 2
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at Eagle FC Black
U9 Strikers
Coach: Brooke Lombardozzi
Division: 3-West
Record: 0-2-1 (7th place)
Goals For/Against: 6/13
Game scores: Hanover Red Warriors 7, Strikers 2; Spring Grove Thunder 5, Strikers 3; Strikers 1, Eagle FC Black 1
Next game: Sunday, Sept. 20, at GYSC Rebels
U9 Rockets
Coach: Jared Krampetz
Division: 4-West
Record: 2-1 (t-2nd place)
Goals For/Against: 20/9
Game scores: Rockets 8, Carlisle Storm 4; Rockets 10, Tuscarora Trailblazers 1; Keystone FC United Blue 4, Rockets 2
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at home vs. East Penn Rush White
U10 Titans
Coach: Tommy Winters, Jennifer Faith (manager)
Division: 3-West
Record: 2-1 (t-1st place)
Goals For/Against: 11/5
Game scores: Fusion FC Galaxy 2, Titans 1; Titans 4, Eagle FC White 1; Titans 6, Nur Talons 2
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at home vs. TSC Trojans Black
U10 Dragons
Coach: Ethan Mutschler
Division: 4-West
Record: 1-1 (t-3rd place)
Goals For/Against: 4/6
Game scores: Hawkrock 6, Dragons 1; Dragons 3, DASC Yetis 0
Next game: Tuesday, Sept. 22, at home vs. SMSA Chasers
U11 Warriors
Coach: Jose Jimenez, Jennifer Faith (manager)
Division: 1
Record: 0-1 (t-4th place)
Goals For/Against: 5/6
Game scores: MCUSC Tigers FC 6, Warriors 5; Warriors vs. NUU Rangers (no report)
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at home vs. Spring Grove Mayhem
U11 Panthers
Coach: Dustin Fritz
Division: 2
Record: 0-2 (t-7th place)
Goals For/Against: 0/17
Game scores: SSC Thunder 6, Panthers 0; Eagle FC Red 11, Panthers 0
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at home vs. Nur City
U12 Wolverines
Coach: Jeff Mills, Jennifer Higgins (assistant)
Division: 3-Central
Record: 2-0 (t-1st place)
Goals For/Against: 13/4
Game scores: Wolverines 4, East Penn Rush White 1; Wolverines 9, Keystone FC Elite White 3
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at MCUSC Cannons
U12 Hurricanes
Coach: Ryan Tucker, Jennifer Faith (manager)
Division: 4
Record: 0-3 (t-8th place)
Goals For/Against: 5/14
Game scores: Hawkrock 4, Hurricanes 3; Carlisle Thunder 4, Hurricanes 2; PA Classics Milton Hershey 6, Hurricanes 0
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at TSC Trojans
U12 Havoc
Coach: Justin Flory, Jaime Vinglas (assistant), Tyler Smith (assistant)
Division: EDP Mid Atlantic Flight 3
Record: 1-0 (t-1st place)
Goals For/Against: 4/1
Game scores: Havoc 4, PA Classics Harrisburg 1
Opener: Saturday, Sept. 19, at PA Classics Harrisburg
U13 Vikings
Coach: Noah Wickenheiser, Jennifer Faith (manager)
Division: 1
Record: 2-0-1 (1st place)
Goals For/Against: 11/3
Game scores: Vikings 6, Lancaster FC Elite 0; Vikings 2, East Penn Rush 0; Vikings 3, NEYSA Black 3
Next game: Sunday, Sept. 27, at NEYSA Black
U13 Hawks
Coach: Shawn Bumbaugh
Division: 4
Record: 2-1 (t-2nd place)
Goals For/Against: 11/13
Game scores: Hawks 5, Fusion FC Union 4; Hawks 5, WRLU Lions FC 4; Tuscarora Talons 5, Hawks 1
Next game: Sunday, Sept. 20, at Hawkrock
U14 Gladiators
Coach: William Cordell, Israel Morales (assistant), Jennifer Faith (manager)
Division: 1
Record: 1-0 (t-2nd place)
Goals For/Against: 2/0
Game scores: Gladiators 2, DASC Demolition 0
Next game: Sunday, Sept. 20, at SSC Cyclones
U14 Spartans
Coach: Mike Diaz, Jennifer Faith (manager)
Division: 4
Record: 1-2 (t-4th place)
Goals For/Against: 7/14
Game scores: TYSC Trailblazers 6, Spartans 1; Spartans 4, WY Bulldogs FC Blue 1; PA Classics Milton Hershey 7, Spartans 2
Next game: Sunday, Sept. 20, at home vs. GUSC Wentzel
U14 United
Coach: Abel Castro, Christopher Gallino, Brian Fisher
Division: EDP Mid Atlantic Flight 4
Record: 0-0 (t-2nd place)
Goals For/Against: N/A
Game scores: United vs. Sporting Athletic Club Black (no report)
Next game: Sunday, Sept. 20, at Lancaster FC Elite Red
U15 Heat
Coach: Rick Ribiero
Division: 2
Record: 2-1 (t-1st place)
Goals For/Against: 10/5
Game scores: BSYSA Hurricanes 3, Heat 2; Heat 6, Spring Grove Rage 1; Heat 2, Lancaster Thunder 1
Next game: Sunday, Sept. 20, at home vs. NEYSA Black
U15 Lightning
Coach: Michael Bucci, Daniel Mulewich
Division: EDP South Atlantic Orange
Record: 0-0 (t-5th place)
Goals For/Against: N/A
Game scores: N/A
Opener: Saturday, Sept. 19, at home vs. Lutherville Timonium SC
Girls
U9 Blaze
Coach: Kate Smith
Division: 3
Record: 1-1 (t-4th place)
Goals For/Against: 8/6
Game scores: Blaze 6, Eagle FC Black 1; MCUSC Tigers FC 5, Blaze 2
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at FCD Rising United Black
U9 Falcons
Coach: Dustin Hurley, Jennifer Faith (manager)
Division: 4
Record: 0-2-1 (t-8th place)
Goals For/Against: 2/12
Game scores: Falcons 2, Keystone FC United 2; Lititz Flair 7, Falcons 0; Hanover Red Force 3, Falcons 0
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at GYSC Valor
U10 Tornadoes
Coach: Samantha Ridings, Jennifer Faith (manager)
Division: 3
Record: 2-1 (t-1st place)
Goals For/Against: 6/7
Game scores: Tornadoes 3, Fusion FC Thorns 0; Tornadoes 2, IVU Red 1; Eagle FC Black 6, Tornadoes 1
Next game: Saturday, Oct. 3, at home vs. Tucarora Bobcats
U11 Cheetahs
Coach: Ashley Norris
Division: 3
Record: 0-2 (t-9th place)
Goals For/Against: 2/8
Game scores: SSC Sparks 3, Cheetahs 1; WRLU Lions FC 5, Cheetahs 1; Cheetahs vs. PA Classics Elite Green Lancaster (no report)
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at home vs. Manheim United
U12 Mambas
Coach: Jenna Brake, Jennifer Faith (manager)
Division: Premier
Record: 2-1 (3rd place)
Goals For/Against: 9/8
Game scores: MCUSC Lightning 5, Mambas 3; Mambas 3, Eagle FC Red 2; Mambas 3, MCUSC Penn United Reign 1
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at NUU Fury
U12 Wildfire
Coach: Sarah Richards, Amanda Upham (manager)
Division: 3-West
Record: 1-1 (t-4th place)
Goals For/Against: 3/3
Game scores: FCD Duchesses Black 1, Wildfire 0; Wildfire 3, TYSC Trailblazers 2
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at home vs. GYSC Fusion
U13 Thunder
Coach: Charlie Appleby, Jennifer Faith (manager)
Division: 3
Record: 2-1 (t-1st place)
Goals For/Against: 6/3
Game scores: FCD Chaos Blue 2, Thunder 0; Thunder 2, GUSC Thomas 0; Thunder 4, Fusion FC Coyotes 1
Next game: Sunday, Sept. 20, at home vs. Donegal Lightning
U14 Eclipse
Coach: Patrick Upham
Division: 1
Record: 2-1 (t-1st place)
Goals For/Against: 16/4
Game scores: Eclipse 8, Carlisle Cyclones 0; Lititz Legends 2, Eclipse 0; Eclipse 7, SMSA Warriors 2
Next game: Sunday, Sept. 20, at Carlisle Cyclones
UNITED RECREATIONAL SOCCER LEAGUE
Waynesboro Youth Soccer Association
Waynesboro Boro United
Coach: Miro Oslik
Division: 34 Co-Ed Red
Record: 0-0 (4th place)
Goals For/Against: 0/0
Game scores: N/A
Opener: Saturday, Sept. 19, at home vs. CMRC Cougars
Waynesboro Gladiators
Coach: Patrick McCullough
Division: 56 Co-Ed Red
Record: 1-0 (t-1st place)
Goals For/Against: 4/0
Game scores: Gladiators 4, CSSC Blazer 0
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at Middletown Buggey
Waynesboro Vikings
Coach: Sunish Pradhan
Division: 56 Co-Ed White
Record: 0-1 (t-4th place)
Goals For/Against: 3/7
Game scores: FSK Kennedy 7, Vikings 0
Next game: Sunday, Sept. 20, at home vs. Middletown Hernandez
Waynesboro Maidens
Coach: Ali Morris
Division: 56 Girls White
Record: 0-0-1 (t-2nd place)
Goals For/Against: 2/2
Game scores: Maidens 2, MAYAA Youssi 2
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at WYS King
Waynesboro Warriors
Coach: Shaun Kipe
Division: 78-11 Co-Ed Red
Record: 1-0 (2nd place)
Goals For/Against: 3/1
Game scores: Warriors 3, Middletown Black 1
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at GVAA The Ville Next
Hagerstown AYSO
HAYSL Thundercats
Coach: Michael Tydingd
Division: 56 Co-Ed Black
Record: 0-0 (t-3rd place)
Goals For/Against: 0/0
Game scores: HAYSL vs. CSSC Gold (no report)
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at CYASC Cougars
HAYSL Hub City Vipers
Coach: Derek Chaney
Division: 78-11 Co-Ed Gold
Record: 0-0 (t-2nd place)
Goals For/Against: 0/0
Game scores: HAYSL vs. TJAY Cash (no report)
Next game: Sunday, Sept. 20, at home vs. BUSA
Smithsburg Youth Athletics
SYA Leopards Rejonis
Coach: Christian Rejonis
Division: 34 Co-Ed Gold
Record: 0-0 (t-4th place)
Goals For/Against: 0/0
Game scores: N/A
Opener: Saturday, Sept. 19, at home vs. FC Frederick White
SYA Leopards Smith
Coach: Greg Smith
Division: 34 Co-Ed Red
Record: 1-0 (t-1st place)
Goals For/Against: 4/3
Game scores: Leopards 4, Middletown Knightmares 3
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at Epic SC Falcons
SYA Leopards Woods
Coach: Bronson Woods
Division: 34 Co-Ed Silver
Record: 0-1 (t-6th place)
Goals For/Against: 1/3
Game scores: Catoctin Mountain FC Palmeiras 3, Leopards 1
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at CMRC Jaguars
SYA Lady Leopards Webb
Coach: Stephen Webb
Division: 34 Girls Red
Record: 0-1 (t-5th place)
Goals For/Against: 0/5
Game scores: GVAA Lady Lions Select 5, Lady Leopards Webb 0
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at home vs. Middletown Hough
SYA Lady Leopards Zello
Coach: Mike Zello
Division: 34 Girls Red
Record: 0-1 (t-5th place)
Goals For/Against: 0/5
Game scores: EPFC Golden Eagles 5, Lady Leopards Zello 0
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at MAYAA Jennings
SYA Leopards Bokman
Coach: Andrew Bokman
Division: 56 Co-Ed Gold
Record: 0-1 (t-7th place)
Goals For/Against: 2/6
Game scores: Alliance Royals 6, Leopards 2
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at MAYAA LaCoste
SYA Leopards Robertshaw
Coach: Jessica Robertshaw
Division: 56 Co-Ed Azure
Record: 1-0 (t-1st place)
Goals For/Against: 5/1
Game scores: Leopards 5, Alliance Heat 1
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at Boonsboro AYSO Big Blue
SYA Lady Leopards Unger
Coach: Kyle Unger
Division: 56 Girls Red
Record: 0-1 (t-4th place)
Goals For/Against: 1/2
Game scores: FYSC Lady Knights 2, Lady Leopards 1
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at home vs. Liverpool FCIA-MD West
SYA Leopards Bailey Purple
Coach: Kevin Bailey
Division: 78-11 Co-Ed Blue
Record: 0-0 (t-4th place)
Goals For/Against: 0/0
Game scores: N/A
Opener: Saturday, Sept. 19, at home vs. Boonsboro AYSO Tigers
SYA Leopards Bailey Yellow
Coach: Kevin Bailey
Division: 78-11 Co-Ed Azure
Record: 0-0 (t-2nd place)
Goals For/Against: 0/0
Game scores: N/A
Opener: Saturday, Sept. 19, at home vs. BUSA
SYA Lady Leopards Card
Coach: Grace Card
Division: 78-11 Girls Red
Record: 1-0 (t-2nd place)
Goals For/Against: 5/0
Game scores: Lady Leopards 5, Alliance Breakers 0
Next game: Sunday, Sept. 20, at home vs. FSK Skursky
Fairfield Youth Soccer Club
FYSC Lady Knights
Coach: Mandy Richardson
Division: 56 Girls Red
Record: 1-0 (t-1st place)
Goals For/Against: 2/1
Game scores: Lady Knights 2, SYA Lady Leopards Unger 1
Next game: Sunday, Sept. 20, at EPIC SC Destroyers White
FYSC Knights
Coach: Adam McClain
Division: 78-11 Co-Ed White
Record: 0-1 (t-5th place)
Goals For/Against: 2/5
Game scores: Boonsboro AYSO Heat 5, Knights 2
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at home vs. Alliance Aztecs
Greencastle United Soccer Club
Greencastle Galaxy 1
Coach: Sarah Benshoff
Division: 56 Co-Ed Black
Record: 0-1 (t-10th place)
Goals For/Against: 0/5
Game scores: TJAY Alvarez 5, Galaxy 0
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at home vs. Boonsboro AYSO
Greencastle Galaxy 2
Coach: Rachel Brock
Division: 56 Co-Ed Black
Record: 0-0 (t-3rd place)
Goals For/Against: 0/0
Game scores: Galaxy vs. CSSC Blue (no report)
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at home vs. CYASC Cougars
Greencastle Galaxy
Coach: Matt Stowell
Division: 78-11 Co-Ed Gold
Record: 0-1 (2nd place)
Goals For/Against: 1/6
Game scores: EPFC Elite 6, Galaxy 1
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, at home vs. TJAY Cash
