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There is good news in the way of much needed field availability to accommodate the growing number of youth soccer players in the area.
The soccer field project at Strawberry Hills in Juniata received an $850,775 grant through the Local Shared Accounts funds from the state. They received $150,000 from the Department of Community and Economic Development, and Logan Township matched $27,000.
The township is applying to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for a $655,888 grant, according to Logan Township Planning Director Cassandra Schmick. The township will match $300,000 of that. Schmick says the total cost of the soccer fields project at Strawberry Hills is now $1,988,663.
The site work for development includes: soccer fields, parking areas, pathways to the soccer fields, pavillions, a playground and installation of utilities. This soccer field development could go a long way in solving field issues the local club has battled with for years.
Elsewhere …
n With the spring soccer season just kicking off, Tim Dieter, president of the area soccer club FC814, stated the club had a total of 616 players in all travel soccer teams, including: one team playing in a national league, the girls u-15 Energy squad, 15 teams playing at Classic level with 271 players, and 26 teams playing Travel Soccer in PAWest taking in 345 players.
The FC 814 In-House program has grown to just over 300 players in u-6 to u-14 age groups. They will be utilizing the Urban Air Soccer Complex, Greenwood and Leopold fields, Mansion Park, Tiger Stadium, the IM field of the Altoona Area School District, Spring Run Stadium at Penn State Altoona and Fairbrook Park.
Travel teams will run from u-10 to u-19 for spring in both boys and girls. The spring season will kick off play on April 15. The local FC814 club has grown to be one of the largest clubs in the Mountain District.
n The FC 814's Team Energy u-15 girls continue to rise in their status and level of competition.
They went undefeated in the WAGS Rael Vodicka Tournament in the A Flight. The WAGS Tournament is one of the top all-girls events in the nation. Since 1975, this tourney has brought teams from all over the USA and Canada to play in u-9 to u-19 brackets. There are national, regional and state champs in attendance.
The Energy had been to the finals of the National Presidents Cup, went 2-1 in the Bethesda Premiere Cup Showcase Chesapeake Flight, playing in the Jefferson Cup Showcase Platinum Flight, playing in the United States Youth Soccer Championship Series State Cup Round, which will begin May 20.
The Energy play in the USYS National League in the Great Lakes Conference. They have been promoted to Premier 1 level for spring play. Their first league game was April 1 and are led by coach Marc Frye.
n Indoor league play at the Summit Tennis and Athletic Club just concluded with an incredible battle for the 2023 Men's Open title. Dino's went three overtime periods with the Juniata College team.
Age got the best of youth as Dino's Vito Recchia, playing in leagues here for 30 years, nailed the game-winning goal in the third overtime to lift Dino's to an 11-10 championship win.
n Three former area high school standouts -- Brady Freiwald, Austin Kravetz and Davis Dull -- will be on the field for Lock Haven University as they take on Frostburg State at 2 p.m. on April 15 at Hollidaysburg's Tiger Stadium.
n Altoona Area High School has chosen a new high school girls head coach, while Hollidaysburg Area School District has chosen a new boys head coach. Ratification by the school boards of directors is required at the April meetings before the hirings can be official.