IFC teams medal in Birmingham

For Starkville Daily News

Two Impact Football Club teams attended the prestigious Birmingham Bash and brought home hardware recently.

IFC is a division of Starkville Soccer Association that boasts a number of travel soccer teams that participate in select tournaments throughout Mississippi and surrounding states.

IFC 00 girls, playing in the U19 bronze division were finalists bringing home silver medals, while the IFC 06 returned as champions of the 06 bronze division and brought home gold medals for their efforts.

IFC 00 girls, coached by William Wells and Christine Exeter, edged BUSA 01 Select 2-1 in a nail biter, but had to settle for a 3-3 tie with Attack 01 White in their second select team match. In a semi-final, IFC 00 handed BUSA 01 Select a 2-0 setback before falling to Auburn Thunder 99G in the championship in a heartbreaking 2-1 loss.

IFC 06 boys, coached by J.T. Coward, opened with a 4-1 victory over BSC Ambassadors 06B Blue, before outlasting 06 Select in the evening game 5-4. IFC 06 beat the Homewood 06 Eagles 3-1, and in a championship matchup IFC 06 had no difficulty with 06 Blue, winning 5-2.

SSA Director of Coaching Phil Rose was pleased with the efforts, pointing out that Wells holds a U.S. Youth Soccer D License, and that Coward recently completed coursework leading to the license in classes not previously held in Starkville. He acknowledged the vision of Starkville Soccer Executive Council and the parents who encourage higher levels of training for the youth here.

SSA President Chris Driskill thanked the many sponsors of youth soccer that make possible the higher levels of play, and lower player fees, including Platinum sponsors Starkville Radiology and Callaway Orthodontics.