There is one local youth soccer team that does not let the frigid winter slow it down.

The Plymouth Soccer Association's (PSA) U15 boys Super Eagles won the championship at the Cocoa Expo Soccer Tournament Dec. 26-30 in Cocoa, Florida.

The team plays in the Minnesota Premiere League and is coached by Jerry Yonga, assisted by Kufre Akpa.

The program draws players from the metro area. Local players are Paul Yonga and Johari Hughes from Brooklyn Park, Patrick Donyen from New Hope, Artem Malkhasyan from Plymouth and Aniekan Akpan from Maple Grove.

The roster also has Ayub Baker, Hamza Bayer, Tomas Chavez, Jeff Davies, William Dennehy, Victor Enrique, Kyle Erickson, Michael Foerster, Hamad Jaman, Bryan Nyberg, Peter Osborne, Brandon Street and Ataklia Tadese.

Victories in Florida were against Kentucky 5-2, Michigan 3-1, Canada 5-0 and Atlanta 4-0 in the title game. There also was a 2-2 tie against Kentucky in the first game.

The next big event is in Kentucky in March for the Javanon Cup.

In 2006, the U15 premier squad won the Minnesota State Cup and the Best of the Midwest tournament in Chicago. Plus, the team was a Region 2 semifinalist in a field of 14 teams.

The Eagles became the Minnesota Premier League Champion and was a USA CUP semifinalist.

Because of the team's accomplishments, the PSA Super Eagles has been invited to play at the Midwest league premier bracket, featuring top teams from Illinois, Michigan and Indiana.

The premier bracket of the Midwest League is the highest bracket for youth soccer in the US.

PSA was invited to the Cocoa Expo Cup tournament due to its previous achievements at state cup and regional competition. As a team, the Super Eagles got goals from eight different players.

Since the end of the high school season, the team practiced at various locations in the area three times per week to prepare for the Florida tournament.

"Though we practiced these many times, it did not help the team as much to get ready for the tournament, especially dealing with outdoor soccer and the Florida heat," Akpa said. "The tie in our first game proved that it is tough to make the transition from indoor to outdoor soccer. Once we got used to the weather and the fields, the team played superb."

For a Minnesota team to play in Florida during the off-season and win the tournament is very rare.

"What contributed to our success are the team camaraderie and our team play," Akpa said. "It is hard to point out any particular player who stood out. The boys played as a team and were congratulated for the style of play by coaches from the other teams."

The Super Eagles is comprised boys ages 14 to 15 from the Twin Cities metro area. In the winter, players practice at indoor facilities in the Plymouth Creek dome and at Central Middle School in Wayzata.

This season's schedule will include tournaments in Florida, Texas, Arizona, California, Illinois and Iowa.

"We believe that competing at this elite level sets high standards and expectations for our team that in the end helps each player to develop a high self esteem and great work ethic," Apka said.

Since the end of the high school season, the team practiced at various locations in the area three times per week to prepare for the Florida tournament.

"Though we practiced these many times, it did not help the team as much to get ready for the tournament, especially dealing with outdoor soccer and the Florida heat," Akpa said. "The tie in our first game proved that it is tough to make the transition from indoor to outdoor soccer. Once we got used to the weather and the fields, the team played superb."

For a Minnesota team to play in Florida during the off-season and win the tournament is very rare.

"What contributed to our success are the team camaraderie and our team play," Akpa said. "It is hard to point out any particular player who stood out. The boys played as a team and were congratulated for the style of play by coaches from the other teams."

The Super Eagles is comprised boys ages 14 to 15 from the Twin Cities metro area. In the winter, players practice at indoor facilities in the Plymouth Creek dome and at Central Middle School in Wayzata.

This season's schedule will include tournaments in Florida, Texas, Arizona, California, Illinois and Iowa.

"We believe that competing at this elite level sets high standards and expectations for our team that in the end helps each player to develop a high self esteem and great work ethic," Apka said.