The New Hampshire Stars U13 girls soccer team, the premier girls side of FC United, celebrates its emotional championship game win over Toms River Soccer Club Hurricane of New Jersey at the recent FC Delco Player's Cup. The Stars defeated Toms River a penalty kick shootout, 4-2, after regulation play and two sudden death overtimes. (Courtesy Photo)

DOWNINGTOWN, Pa. - The New Hampshire Stars U13 girls soccer team of FC United won the sixth annual FC Delco Player 's Cup Memorial Day Tournament in Downingtown with dramatic finishes in both the semifinal and final matches.

The Stars earned a trip to the semifinals with wins over PASCO Thunder, N.J., 2-0, and South Central Premier, N.J., 1-0, and a tie versus the New Jersey Rangers Freedom, 0-0.

That set the stage for a semifinal match against Wall Soccer Club Crush of New Jersey. In end-to-end action, the two teams battled to a scoreless tie at the end of regulation play.

With just under 20 seconds remaining in the second sudden death five-minute overtime, Callie Quinn slipped a ball through the Crush defense to attacking forward Kelly Griffin. Griffin, despite being hounded by defenders, chipped a ball over the goalkeeper and just under the crossbar, sending the Stars to the finals.

In the final game at the United Sports Training Center on a turf field, the Stars played Toms River Hurricane of New Jersey . the largest soccer club in the state - to a 0-0 tie at the end of regulation.

The teams exchanged several scoring opportunities in a chess match-style game. Following two sudden death scoreless overtimes, New Hampshire won a penalty kick shootout, 4-2. Stars netminder Jessie Leberman of Concord, N.H., made two PK saves and teammates Gabrielle Ransom of Concord, Griffin, Colleen Murray of Bedford, N.H., and Lauren Bernard banged home four straight kicks to win.

Griffin led her team with three tournament goals. Leberman was stellar in net not allowing a single goal in five matches.

Other members of the championship team include Andrea Foley of Goffstown, N.H.; Brittany Gates of Bedford; Caitlin Peters of Salem, N.H.; Camille Zielinski of Allenstown, N.H.; Dana Boyle, Elise Luers of Concord; Emma Furlone, Haleigh Smith, Margaret McSpiritt, Taylor Smith of Concord; and Tori McCombs. The coaches are Dave Elliot and Megan Tuttle.

With the championship, the Stars moved up six places in the Region One rankings from 31st to 25th.