:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53553329/C6LYTgAUYAALZgs.0.jpg)
For the first time since 2005, a boys team from Eastern Pennsylvania has captured an Olympic Development Program national championship.
The Eastern Pennsylvania U17 Boys ODP team cruised past Oregon 7-0 on Sunday to win the US Youth Soccer ODP Championship in Phoenix, Arizona.
Four first half goals put the game out of reach before the break and Eastern Pennsylvania tacked on three more in the second half to complete the rout. Nick Brison, of Kennett Square and Southern Chester County SC scored a hat trick while Darryl Longdon, Aaron Tylicki and Matt Pron each added goals. An Oregon own goal rounded out the scoring.
"The development and growth of this team has been remarkable," Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Technical Director Mike Barr said in a news release. "They've continued to represent us well and play at a high level. Much credit should go to their club and high school coaches, too. They should share in the boys' success.”
Eastern Pennsylvania defeated Georgia 2-1 on Friday to reach the final in a competition last won by a girls team from the region in 2007 and a boys team in 2005. The title is the fourth for a boys team from the area and the seventh overall. US Youth Soccer crowned its first ODP champions in 2000.
Three other champions were crowned on Sunday in Phoenix. California South won the girls 2000 and boys 2001 championships while Florida won the girls 2001 title.