Two of the Montclair United Soccer Clubs’ (MUSC) premier teams – the Montclair Aristocats & Thunderbolts – won New Jersey State Cup soccer championships on May 17 at The College of New Jersey.  The Aristocats and the Thunderbolts will join the Montclair United Colchesters, who captured the girls’ Under 12 State Cup in the Fall of 2008, giving MUSC an unprecedented three teams competing at the USA Youth Soccer Region 1 National Championships July 2-7 in West Virginia.

 The national powerhouse Aristocats won their fourth state championship with a convincing 3-0 victory over the Mount Laurel Fire in the Girls Under-18 class State Cup final.  Coached by Ashley Hammond and Jorden Scott, the ‘cats began their soccer careers as seven-year olds in Brookdale Park and are now competing in their 12^th season together.

 “The ‘cats have set the bar for girls’ soccer in Montclair,” said Hammond who created and runs Soccer Domain Academy.  “These girls have been great representatives and role models for Montclair and we should all be proud of the fact that every single player will play soccer at a Division 1 college soccer program where combined they will receive almost $3 million in scholarships and financial aid.”