Barboursville, WV (July 5, 2016)—In the U15 Boys Division of the US Youth Soccer Region I Championships, which concluded Tuesday, Lower Merion SC Sabertooth Rats defeated HMMS Eagle FC Titans 2-0 in an all-Eastern Pennsylvania final to advance to the US Youth Soccer National Championships. Nationals will be held in Frisco, Texas July 25-31.

The win capped an undefeated, 5-0 run for the Sabertooth Rats in Barboursville, West Virginia. They were one of two Eastern Pennsylvania teams to take home regional championships.

Lehigh Valley United, having already clinched a spot at nationals thanks to a National League title, picked up the U18 Boys trophy with a 2-1 victory over Dix Hills (NY-E).

YMS Xplosion (U17 Girls) fell in the semifinals on Monday but will head to Texas just the same. Like LVU, the Xplosion won the US Youth Soccer National League to earn their shot at a national championship—and redemption. YMS has taken second place each of the last three seasons.

In addition to Lower Merion, HMMS, LVU and YMS, four other Eastern Pennsylvania teams reached the knockout stages of the Region I Championships. Patriot Red FC (U16 Boys) won their group but lost in the semifinals. In the U16 Girls Division, FC Pennsylvania Strikers fell 2-1 in the final to Syracuse Development Academy (NY-W). FC Europa Sol gave Beadling (PA-W) all they could handle in the U18 Girls semifinal before losing 2-1. Finally, Vincent United Pride will head home with silver medals after a 3-0 defeat to McLean 96 Green (VA) in the U19 Girls Division.