Anchorage, Alaska — July 20, 2026 — Cook Inlet Soccer Club is proud to announce that its 2009 Girls Elite team has won the 2026 U17 Girls US Youth Soccer National Championship in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, bringing a national championship title home to Alaska for the first time ever.
The achievement marks an extraordinary accomplishment for the players, coaches, families, and supporters who have dedicated years to developing one of Alaska’s most successful youth soccer teams. Competing against the top teams from across the country, Cook Inlet SC 2009 Girls Elite represented Anchorage and Alaska with determination, discipline, and pride on the national stage.
“This championship is an incredible accomplishment for these players and for everyone who has supported them along the way,” said Richard Bailey, Head Coach of Cook Inlet SC 2009 Girls Elite. “They have put in countless hours of work, faced challenges together, and continued to believe in one another. To see them achieve this on the national stage is something our entire club and our entire state can be proud of.”
The team’s success highlights the strength and continued growth of youth soccer in Alaska. Traveling thousands of miles from Anchorage to compete nationally, the players demonstrated that Alaska teams can compete—and win—at the highest levels of youth soccer in the United States.
“This is a championship for the entire Cook Inlet SC community,” said Laef Eggan, Director of Coaching. “Our players have shown what is possible when talent, commitment, teamwork, and a strong support system come together. We are incredibly proud of this group and thrilled to celebrate this historic achievement with the Anchorage and Alaska soccer communities.”
The 2009 Girls Elite team’s national championship is the culmination of years of training and competition, supported by dedicated coaches, families, teammates, and the broader Alaska soccer community. The players’ accomplishment provides inspiration for the next generation of young athletes across the state who aspire to compete at the highest levels of the sport.
Cook Inlet SC invites the Anchorage community to join the club in celebrating the team’s national championship, a first for any team from Alaska, and recognizing the players for their remarkable achievement.
About Cook Inlet Soccer Club
Cook Inlet Soccer Club (CISC) is an Anchorage-based youth soccer organization dedicated to providing players with opportunities to develop their skills, compete at a high level, and grow through the game of soccer. The club serves youth athletes throughout the Anchorage area and works to foster a positive environment centered on player development, teamwork, character, and a lifelong love of the sport.