The Merrick Force was a Premier girls soccer team. The girls loved to play together, and were fine examples of what good sportsmanship is all about.

            

Youth soccer lasts only as long as the players are youths.  But soccer lasts forever.  The core of the Merrick Force began at the pre-travel level in 2007 when the girls were only  8 years old.  On Saturday, June 17, 2017, eleven women walked off the field for the final time, concluding what must be the most successful PAL female soccer team that has ever existed.

                Many players had come and gone during the ten years of the Force's existences.  But Lauren Marinello was the team's captain for the entirety if the team's existence.  David  Levine was the team's head coach, followed by Donald Birkenhead who guided the team through its final two years. James Marenillo was the assistant coach for all ten years.

                Training was the key to the success of the Merrick Force.  Merrick's top trainer Manfred Kapper trained the team for the final six years.The girls were trained by Luis, Minna, Billy Gatti, and Pablo in the early years.  

                Bill Parcells had once said, "You are what your record says you are."  Rather than bloviate on why this team was so special, let's let their record speak for itself.   

2016 NYCSL Premier League Champions

2015 NYCSL Premier League Champions

2014 Disney Soccer Showcase Champions

2014 CASL Premier Flight Tournament Champions 

2014 East Meadow Tournament Champions

2014 Region 1 Northeast Premier League Champions

2014 North Carolina Triangle FC Frendlies Champions

2013 National Elite Womens Soccer Showcase Semi Finalists

2013 East Meadow Cup Champions (U16 Flight)

2013 Beach Bash Sand Soccer Tournament Champions (U16 Flight)

2013 USCS Mid-Atlantic Regional Finalist

2013 FC Delco Players Cup Semi Finalists

2013 New York Cup Champions

2013 Europa Turf Cup Champions

2013 Manhattan Soccer Kickoff Classic Champions

2013 Gotham Girls Winter Indoor Extended Tournament Champions

2012 National Women's Elite Soccer Showcase Semi Finalists

2012 SAC United Premier Columbus Day Tournament Semi Finalists

2012 Rough Riders Kickoff Classic Champions

2012 New York Cup Quarter Finalist

2012 Manhattan Soccer Kickoff Classic Semi Finalist

2011 Dix Hills Thanksgiving Cup Classic Finalist

2011 Fairfield FAST Tournament Champions

2011 Long Island Cup Major Division Finalists

LIJSL Spring 2011 Division One Champions

2011 State Cup Semi Finalists

2010 Covanta Premier Flight Semi Finalists

2010 FC Delco Players Cup Semi Finalists

2009 Discovery Cup Semi Finalists

2009 F.C. New York United Labor Day Tournament Champions

2009 Waldbaum's Cup Major Division Finalists

2009 FC Delco Players Cup Premier Division Champions

2009 Dix Hills Spring Kick-Off Cup - Premier Elite Division - Finalists

2008/09 Rough Riders Winter League Champions

LIJSL Fall 2008 NW Division Champions

2008 Covanta Tournament Champions

2008 Northport Cow Harbor Tournament Champions

2008 Massapequa Memorial Day Tournament Champions

2007 Rough Riders Holiday Tournament Champions

2007 Rough Riders Thanksgiving Tournament Champions

 

 

The Merrick Force traveled to sunny Florida to compete in the 2014 Disney Soccer Showcase.  Hundreds of college coaches flock to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex to scout the top teams in the country to recruit athletes.  The girls of the Merrick Force performed well competing against excellent teams.  On New Years Eve, the Force defeated the Toledo Courage 2-1 in a very physical game. The Force gave up the first goal of the game, but it would be the only goal they gave up for the entire tournament.  On New Years Day, the Force defeated the reigning Indiana state champions 2-0.  On the following morning, Merrick easily defeated a Florida NPL team 3-0 and earned a place in the finals.  The Merrick Force was matched up against West Pines United, another team from Florida.  After taking an early 1-0 lead on a goal scored by team captain, Lauren Marinello, the Force held West Pines scoreless to finish the tournament as champions.

Merrick Force girls were represented well at the Nassau County Girls Soccer Coaches Association Awards Dinner.  Force girls earned All Conference, All Classification, and All County honors from their accomplishments on their high school teams. 

The Merrick Force are Premier Flight champions at the 2014 CASL tournament. The Force traveled to North Carolina to play in the showcase tournament where many college coaches were in attendance.  The Force played teams from the areas of Cleveland, Richmond, and Raleigh.  The girls were undefeated during the tournament.  

 

 

The Merrick Force are champions at the 2014 East Meadow tournament. It is their second consecutive championship at the East Meadow tournament, and third overall.

 

The Merrick Force won the Red division in the NERP league by beating the South Central Blue Dragons 1-0 in the final game.  The victory sent the Force to the championship game in Rhode Island to play the Blue division champs.  The Merrick Force defeated the Bayside Bolts (from Rhode Island) by a score of 1-0.  The NERP championship automatically qualifies the Force to compete in the Region 1 Premier League in the Spring of 2015.

The Merrick Force escaped the snow and ice to play in sunny North Carolina, which turned out to be just as cold as New York.  The girls went on tours of the University of North Carolina and Duke.  The Force got back onto the field the next day for the first time since November.  The Force played three matches recording two wins and one tie.  They advanced to the finals against the North Carolina State Semi-finalists, Lake Norman SC Eclipse.  The Force won 1-0 on an overtime golden goal.

 

On July 2^nd, the Merrick Force ended their incredible run at the 2013 USCS Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship game as finalists. Representing New York State, the Merrick Force had a good showing at the regional games.  The girls won their three scheduled games, not giving up a single goal.  They earned a spot in the championship game against the Linden Diamonds with the winner advancing to the Nationals in Colorado.  The girls fought hard, but it was not meant to be.

The Merrick Force attended the U.S. Women's soccer game against Korea at the Red Bull's Stadium in New Jersey on June 20th.  The girls had the privilege of watching Abby Wambach score four goals, surpassing Mia Hamm as the #1 international goal scorer with 160.

The Merrick Force are the 2013 New York Cup Champions.  The team traveled to LaGrange, New York, to compete in the New York Cup Finals against the Brentwood Rush.  The scoreless game was hard fought to the end of overtime.  The game came down to penalty kicks, where the Merrick Force prevailed.  Congratulations to the Brentwood Rush on an outstanding game.

 

 

 

 

 

The Merrick Force won the Silver flight of the 2013 Manhattan Kick-Off Classic.  The girls were eager to finally get outside and play in some real games.  The Force are now ready to compete in the FC Europa Turf Cup this up coming weekend in Pennsylvania.

 

After finishing their State Cup run as Semi-Finalists, the Merrick Force finished the spring 2011 season in first place in division one. Also, the Merrick Force made it to the LI Cup Finals (formerly the Waldbaum's Cup) for the second time in the three years the tournament has been held for the age group. The Merrick Force faced the Bayport Blaze in the championship game. The game ended in a scoreless tie after a ten minute overtime period. The match was decided on PKs. Congratulations to the Bayport Blaze on their win. Both teams are shown above.

On Memorial Day weekend the Merrick Force won the 2009 FC Delco Player's Cup Premier flight. Above is a combined team photo of the Merrick Force and the Parkland Area SC Pride, who the Force beat 3 to 2 in a hard fought championship game.