The HBC Impact defense is tough, having surrendered only four goals in 16 matches this spring. (Photo courtesy of ENYYSA)

The HBC Impact continues to fill up it trophy case as the Long Island Junior Soccer League girls side not only became the only Region team I to defend last year’s Regional title but won its third consecutive regional championship, the Under-17 crown, in Spotsylvania, Va. July 4.

HBC, which has surrenderd four goals in 16 games this spring, will compete in the nationals in Frisco, Texas July 25-30.

“I don’t think anyone from New York can properly prepare for Nationals in Texas as the conditions are just so different but we’re going to train as hard as we can,” HBC coach Billy Carroll said. “We need to work on corner kicks and set pieces as we gave up the majority of our goals last year on them. We’re going to try and get as much conditioning done so that we’re as prepared as possible for the heat and sun. The plan is to play a couple of friendlies to stay in game shape during the next two weeks.”

The Impact finished 8-0-0 in the Girls U-17 age group in the Eastern New York Regional Premier League. They have played in five State Open Cup finals, winning the last three years, and won all three regional finals in which it has played.

“We’re excited to be attending Nationals again and representing HBC and Eastern New York,” Carroll said.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.