The United Soccer Academy is excited to announce the formation of an Elite Academy designed for the serious high school player. It will be held July 20 through the 24 at the LAYSA Field in Auburn. The program is designed to help a player be better prepared for tryouts this coming fall and to have the basic practices he or she can work on throughout the year.

The Elite session runs from 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. each day, excluding Friday, July 24 when the academy ends at 2 p.m.. The Elite session will be administered by coach Eric Wagner of Swarthmore. He has a passion for the game and a way of inspiring players to be better.

According to Swarthmore’s Director of Sports Information:

“Eric Wagner took over the Garnet soccer program in 2002, transforming the team in short order. In 13 seasons, Wagner’s teams have posted a 159-73-32 record, and have had 16 postseason tournament appearances. In 2013, Swarthmore captured its third ECAC championship and posted an undefeated home ledger of 9-0-3 at Clothier Field.

Named Centennial Conference Coach of the Year in 2012, Wagner led the Garnet to a 16-3-2 record to steer the squad to the third round of the NCAA Tournament for the third time in five years. In 2011, the Garnet won their second ECAC championship, defeating the top two seeds en route to the title.”

Players who need a brochure may contact Lewiston High School coach Mike McGraw at mmcgraw@lewistonpublicschools.org or call 782-4339. There will also be brochures at Lewiston High’s main entrance. The brochure offers discounts for those who register before July 1 and team discounts for 5 or more players from the same school. It is open to both boys and girls.

The United Soccer Academy will run on the same dates as the Elite Academy (July 20 to July 24) also on the LAYSA Field located behind the Auburn Middle School on Falcon Drive in Auburn. This is a day academy that begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. each day Monday through Friday. Players ages 5 to 7 will compete in the morning session, which runs from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. each day. Players from ages 8 to 13 are full day players. Any player who needs a brochure can contact McGraw or pick up a brochure at Lewiston High School. Players can also register through Lewiston-Auburn Youth Soccer Associations website.