Bordentown FC Jaguars 2004 won the Presidents Cup Girls U-14. (Photo courtesy of NJ Youth Soccer)

EAST WINDSOR, N.J. ― New Jersey Youth Soccer crowned Under-12 to U-14 National Championship Series, U-12-U14 Presidents Cup and U-11-U14 Commissioners Cup champions last weekend, with semifinal and championship matches in Bordentown, N.J.

Eighteen teams won titles.

“We are so proud of the effort from each and every one of the teams that competed in these state-wide tournaments,” NJYS president Evelyn Gill said. “New Jersey is one of the most talent rich states in the country and these competitions demonstrated that skill from the girls and boys teams.”

National Championship Series winners:

U-12 Girls: Cedar Stars Academy 2006 Black
U-12 Boys: Watchung NJ Elite 2006 Litmanen
U-13 Girls: SJEB Rush 2005 Academy
U-13 Boys: Real Jersey FC 2005
U-14 Girls: SJEB Rush 2004 Academy
U-14 Boys: PSA Wildcats 2004

NJ Youth Soccer Presidents Cup champions:

U-12 Girls: GPS Central 2006 Red
U-12 Boys: Cherry Hill SC Knights 2006
U-13 Girls: Watchung STA MUSC 2005
U-13 Boys: Ocean United Titans Red
U-14 Girls: Bordentown FC Jaguars 2004
U-14 Boys: Valencia Soccer Academy 2004 Black

NJ Youth Soccer Commissioners Cup champions:

U-11 Girls: NJ Elite 2004 Force
U-12 Girls: Freehold Storm
U-12 Boys: Match Fit Montclair United 2006
U-13 Girls: German American Kickers Banshees
U-13 Boys: BHYSC Arsenal
U-14 Girls: Bridgewater Academy

* Select tournament finals were postponed due to weather from 10/29 and are yet to be completed.

Catrina Atanda, a four-time NJYS State Cup champion in her youth and a Sky Blue FC player, congratulated the finalists and champions.

“It was a great experience to witness these young players compete at such a high level and display such impressive sportsmanship,” she said. “New Jersey is one of the best soccer states in the country and today was evidence of that.”

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.