ELITE PATHWAY EXPANSION: Three Powerhouse Clubs Earn Promotion to ECNL Girls National Ranks
- James Schofield
- 19 minutes ago
- 3 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
RICHMOND, VA (March 9, 2026) — The Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) Girls has announced the first wave of membership promotions for the 2026-27 season, elevating three standout organizations from the ECNL Regional League (ECNL RL) to the top-tier ECNL Girls national platform.
Team Boca, Lonestar SC, and South Carolina Surf have each earned their place in the national league following a rigorous evaluation of on-field success and club standards. Team Boca will join the Florida Conference, Lonestar SC will enter the Texas Conference, and South Carolina Surf will compete in the Mid-Atlantic Conference starting this fall.
“We are extremely proud to welcome these clubs to the league for the 2026-27 season, and to reward their hard work and demonstrated success in the ECNL Regional Leagues,” said ECNL Girls Commissioner Chris Leahey. “Providing clear pathways to reward performance is one of the core values of the ECNL. These decisions further reinforce this value and highlight the opportunities within the US Club Soccer pyramid.”
FLORIDA EXCELLENCE: TEAM BOCA ASCENDS
Team Boca enters the ECNL Girls platform on the heels of a dominant run that included the U17 ECNL Regional League Girls National Championship in 2025. The Florida-based club has maintained that momentum through the current campaign, posting a combined record of 51-4-6 across all age groups in the ECNL RL Florida.
The club, founded in 1977, has long been a staple of the Florida soccer landscape, claiming over 30 state championships and 10 regional titles. Currently, five of the club’s six teams are in playoff contention, with the U13, U14, and U18/19 squads leading their respective divisions.
“Team Boca is extremely proud and excited to be promoted,” said Mario Rincon, Team Boca Girls Director of Coaching. “The ECNL will add incredible value to our program’s competitive platform and help showcase our players in a league that prides itself on providing the best standards of competition in the country.”
TEXAS AND MID-ATLANTIC POWERHOUSES JOIN THE RANKS
In Texas, Lonestar SC returns to the ECNL Girls stage after a successful stint in the Regional League that saw their U13 and U15 teams reach the National Finals in 2025. The Austin-based club recently secured the inaugural ECNL RL Girls Leaders Cup title at ECNL RL Florida and continues to hold multiple first-place positions in the Texas Conference.
Meanwhile, South Carolina Surf has made an immediate impact since joining the ECNL RL from the Girls Academy. The Charleston-based organization has dominated the Southeast Conference this season, with all six age groups in qualification positions for the postseason. Their U15 through U18/19 teams currently sit in first place, having suffered only four total losses across the entire girls’ program this year.
The promotion aligns the Surf’s girls’ program with its boys’ side, which already competes at the ECNL level, creating a unified elite pathway for the club’s athletes.
STRENGTHENING THE US CLUB SOCCER PYRAMID
The inclusion of these three clubs underscores the ECNL’s commitment to a "merit-based" promotion structure. By rewarding clubs that have consistently performed at the Regional League level, the ECNL continues to solidify its position as the premier developmental circuit for female athletes in the United States.
For Lonestar SC, the move represents a homecoming to the nation's top competitive tier. “This milestone reflects our long-standing commitment to excellence,” said Lonestar SC General Manager Don Cameron. “Our return to the ECNL underscores the strength and importance of the ECNL and ECNL RL pathway, which provides a comprehensive developmental structure supporting players at every stage of their journey.”
As the 2026-27 season approaches, these three clubs will begin the transition to a national schedule, bringing new rivalries and increased collegiate scouting opportunities to their respective regions.
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