LAKE NONA, FL — DME Academy opened the 2026–27 season in style this weekend, delivering an impressive showing across the girls’ side at the Lake Nona Season Opener. Battling intense Florida heat, thunderstorms, rain delays, and strong competition from programs competing across multiple league platforms including ECNL RL & GA Aspire, DME teams consistently found themselves playing deep into the weekend.

The result: DME finished first or second in every girls age group represented.

Across eight DME Academy, Sarasota and DME – Tiki Taka teams, the programs combined for an 18-7-3 overall record, winning 64.3% of all matches played and earning a result in 75% of their games.

Championships and Finalists Across the Board

The weekend showcased the depth of the DME girls pathway from U12 through U19.

• U19 DME Tiki Taka Girls — Finalists | 2-1
• U16 DME Tiki Taka Girls — Champions | 2-0-1
• U16 DME Sarasota Girls — Finalists | 1-1-1
• U15 DME Sarasota Girls — Champions | 2-0-1
• U14 DME Sarasota Girls — Finalists | 2-2
• U13 DME Sarasota Girls — Champions | 3-1
• U12 DME Tiki Taka Girls |— Champions | 4-0
• U12 DME Sarasota Girls — Finalists | 2-2

A Statement Across the Girls Program

The success wasn’t limited to one team or one age group.

From the youngest teams competing at U12 through the oldest girls at U19, DME demonstrated consistency across the entire pathway. Different coaches, different rosters, and different stages of player development produced the same theme: DME girls teams compete and WINS.

The U15 DME Sarasota girls captured their forth consecutive championship at the Lake Nona Season Opener with an unbeaten 2-0-1 record, and not conceding a single shot all weekend long, while the U13 Sarasota girls went 3-1 on their way to the title in PK’s. DME Tiki Taka’s U16 group also finished unbeaten at 2-0-1 to claim its championship as did their U12 girls.

Perhaps most impressive was the overall depth. Every girls age group featuring DME had a team finish among the top two.

28 Games. 18 Wins. One Strong Opening Weekend.

Across the eight teams:

28 Total Matches
18 Wins
3 Draws
7 Losses
64.3% Win Percentage
75% Result Percentage — win or draw

Building One of Florida’s Strongest Girls Pathways

The Lake Nona Season Opener provided an early look at the growing strength and depth of the DME girls program.

With teams competing across different levels and league environments, the objective remains the same: provide ambitious players with a pathway that challenges them technically, tactically, physically, and mentally.

Championships are important. Results matter. But the bigger picture is creating an environment where players learn how to compete when conditions aren’t perfect — against quality opponents, in difficult weather, and under pressure.

Lake Nona provided all of that.

And DME responded.

That’s one way to kick off a season.