Two Eastern New York teams -- the Syosset Sting 92 Elite and the Hicksville Strikers -- are returning to the U.S. Youth Soccer nationals. Both teams won their respective titles at the Region I championships that were held over the holiday weekend in Huntington, W. Va. The Sting Elite captured the Girls Under-17 crown with a 1-0 win over the Penn Fusion 92. The Strikers won the Boys U-17 championship behind a 2-1 victory over the FC Stars (Mass.). Hicksville reached the U-16 Boys national finals last year.

Both teams will participate at the U.S. Youth nationals in Overland Park, Kansas from July 20-25.

Five other ENY teams reached the regional semifinals:

Boys

* The HBC Titans lost to LVU (PA-East) in Boys U-12, 3-0.

* The Middle Country Rough Riders dropped a 2-0 decision to YMS Xplosion (PA-East).

Girls

* The Alleycats Blackcats were edged by United FC Elite (Va.) in extratime in the U-12 small-sided final, 2-1.

* The Patriots FC 95 fell to Beadling 94/95 (PA-West), 2-1.

* Quickstrike FC was beaten by the Buffalo Soccer Academy Invaders, 4-0.

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