FPYC Wildcats to Compete in National Championship

The Fairfax Police Youth Club Wildcats soccer team will enter the Presidents Cup National Championship in Sacramento this week with a level of intense focus and sense of competition Coach Bob Waizenegger has never seen from his team.

Waizenegger saw the Wildcats' intensity increase ahead of their appearance in the Region 1 Presidents Cup Championship in New Hampshire last month, where the 15-U girls dominated competition as they scored 23 goals and conceded just one to win the title.

"These girls have always been pretty intense, from an athletic standpoint. I think just about everybody on the team is a multi-sport athlete. I think when they got to high school, they really got a taste of a bigger stage, so to speak," he said. "I think they enjoy getting on that bigger stage, and the camaraderie associated with it. I think the combination of a little bit of success with their club and the high school environment added together to help push them into this new realm of competitiveness."

The team comprises players from Oakton, Fairfax, West Springfield, and Woodson high schools, as well as Flint Hill School.

Claire Weisskopf, a rising junior at Oakton High, said she also noticed her team upped its game when the girls simply decided they wanted to make it to the National Championship.

"In our last season we weren't as intense during our games but we all realized that we wanted to make it to the national level, so everyone picked it up," Weisskopf said. "We all just worked hard as a team, and in the region tournament we connected a lot better than we had in past games."

The team held tryouts to beef up its team ahead of the trip to Sacramento, adding four new players to its roster. They also increased practices from two days to four days per week.

With most team members competing as multisport athletes, the girls have built on their strength of natural athleticism, Waizenegger said.

"We might not always be the best soccer team on the field technically speaking, but nobody ever outclasses us athletically," he said.

The Wildcats have been raising money to help offset the costs for players, which amounts to about $1,500 per player. Donations are being accepted at the FPYC Wildcats website.

The Wildcats will play their first game 8 a.m. Thursday against Dallas Texans 97 Girls Red North. Click here to see the complete schedule.

"They're coming out of their skin. For a lot of them, this is a once in a lifetime thing. This opportunity doesn't present itself to a lot of kids and they want to make the most of it," Waizenegger said. "... They're all pushing themselves and it's good for them. They are getting better as players, athletes and team members because nobody wants to let anyone else down. It's an exciting time. I'm looking forward to seeing how we do."

Wildcats Roster:

• Jillian Barnard, Woodson (2015)
• Cori Black, Fairfax (2015)
• Mackenzie Burnett, Fairfax (2015)
• Allison Davis, West Springfield (2015)
• Gillian Elliott, Fairfax (2015)
• Olivia Fanet, Woodson (2015)
• Brianna Frontuto, Fairfax (2015)
• Sarah Hanson, Oakton (2015)
• Christina Kim, Woodson (2015)
• Kaitlyn Kim, Flint Hill (2015)
• Shanquelle Marshall, Fairfax (2015)
• Kaitlyn McCurdy, Woodson (2015)
• Lauren Rader, West Springfield (2014)
• Jessica Simmons, West Springfield (2014)
• Natalie Sorto, West Springfield (2015)
• Devon Thomas, Oakton (2015)
• Madeline Waizenegger, Woodson (2015)
• Claire Weisskopf, Oakton (2014)