Super Y-League Feature
Thursday, June 20, 2013
TAMPA, Fla. – The Junior Lone Star FC Super-20s remained unbeaten this season after a 5-2 victory against Triangle FC of North Carolina this past Saturday. A first-half hat trick from Siafa Dempster and goals from Preston Dennis and Steven McGee propelled Junior Lone Star FC to the win.
Junior Lone Star FC was founded in 2001 by West African refugees from Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and the Ivory Coast who fled their countries due to separate series’ of brutal civil wars. Based in urban Southwest Philadelphia, and with no sponsors, JLSFC is an all-volunteer, self-supported soccer organization that provides free soccer programs to the disadvantaged children and young adults in the community. The club believes that the pursuit of excellence in the areas of academics and soccer helps develop maturity and self confidence. Therefore, the club provides soccer to the youth of Philadelphia with the aim of preparing players for collegiate and professional soccer. JLSFC fields competitive sides in various age groups, including one that participates in the USL Super-20 League. Ten different nations are represented on the Junior Lone Star FC Super-20 roster: Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Trinidad, and the U.S.
In conjunction with their admirable club philosophy, Junior Lone Star FC puts a quality product on the field. It currently leads Super-20 Group A.
Junior Lone Star FC has posted a 3-0-1 record so far this season, and has only dropped two available points. The team is the only unbeaten team in Super-20 Group A, and the only team in the group with a double-digit point total. It also holds a game-in-hand advantage against the second-place team.
Lone Star’s victories have come against Potomac SC (1-0), the Harrisburg City Islanders (2-1), and most recently, Triangle FC (5-2). The team drew an away game at Real Maryland FC (2-2) in its first fixture in June. JLSFC will spend an important weekend away in Virginia to play against the Northern Virginia Royals on Friday, Virginia Alliance on Saturday, and FASA Sunday to finish the regular season.
Top players from Junior Lone Star FC include Preston Dennis, Vlendy Eric Slueue, and Siafa Dempster.
Preston Dennis
Dennis, a defender, leads the team with four goals this season. Naturally a winger, Dennis plays at the left back position for the Junior Lone Stars, a testament to his versatility.
Dennis, a defender, leads the team with four goals this season. Naturally a winger, Dennis plays at the left back position for the Junior Lone Stars, a testament to his versatility.
In the match against Triangle FC his goal, assisted by Mohamed Kamara, meant that he has scored in three successive league matches. The goal against Triangle FC was Dennis’ first goal in open play. The designated penalty taker, Dennis scored from the spot twice in the 2-2 draw at Real Maryland FC and he also converted a penalty in the young Stars’ 2-1 win against Harrisburg City.
“Preston’s technical and tactical abilities have shown steady improvement,” JLFC Head Coach Thomas George said.
“He’s a winger, but I converted him to a left back and he has performed well this season. He knows when to push up in attack and when to stay back. Plus he’s got pace, which helps his game.”
Dennis has committed to play college soccer at Neumann University.
Dennis has committed to play college soccer at Neumann University.
Vlendy Eric Slueue
Slueue, the Junior Lone Stars midfield maestro, happens to be one of the youngest players on the team at just 17 years old. Despite his age, he has earned the respect of his teammates and opponents alike by making things happen in the middle of the field. He leads him team with four assists in four games, including three helpers in the 5-2 win against Triangle FC.
“His vision is impeccable and his work rate at the center of the field is second to none. He was simply unstoppable in our last game [against Triangle FC],” George said about his #10.
“At the age of 17, he plays like he is 23!”
Still attending Batram High School in Philadelphia (former high school of legendary basketball player Earl “The Pearl” Monroe and musician DJ Jazzy Jeff), Slueue has already received calls from college recruiters.
Siafa Dempster
Siafa Dempster - fast, strong, and full of skill - heads the Lone Star attack. Dempster’s hat trick won the game Saturday and effectively blasted Junior Lone Star FC into first place in Group A.
His first goal came in the 10th minute as he unleashed an unstoppable volley from a difficult angle. Darren John assisted his second in the 25th minute, and his first-half treble was capped off in the 35th. Dempster latched onto Slueue’s through ball and proceeded to shed the keeper one on one and deposit the ball into the back of the net.
“Siafa was clinical in front of goal, and that’s what we have come to expect from him,” George said.
“He had been struggling a little this season so I am happy his confidence is now back. We are looking forward to our trip to Virginia.”
Dempster currently plays at Holy Family University.