Girls DA: NEFC, Oakwood learn playoff paths out in California

Oakwood SC U-17 midfielder Natalie Tavana celebrates a goal vs. NEFC. (Alex Dolan/New England Soccer Journal)

All season long, girls Development Academy teams have dreamt of strong performances at the playoffs June 20-29 in Oceanside, Calif. On Thursday, the path toward accomplishing exactly that was set in stone when U.S. Soccer conducted a draw for the year-end event.

In all, 32 teams split into eight groups of four were determined at the U-15 and U-17 age groups. From 16 teams across four groups of four, the U-19 age group also learned its next steps. After playoffs, semifinalists will advance to championship weekend July 9-11 in Irvine, Calif.

As that unfolds, three NEFC teams and two from Oakwood learned what their group-stage challenges look like. They'll face opponents from all over the country, branching beyond the tests they typically encounter in the Northeast Division.

Let's take a deeper look at what players from New England can expect over these next few weeks.