Preliminary Games, Day 2 of 3
Schedule, Standings and Scores
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WESTFIELD, Ind. (June 23, 2018) – The 2018 US Youth Soccer Midwest Regional Championships continued Saturday at the Grand Park Sports Complex in Westfield, Ind. as teams get one step closer to the National Championships.
Teams comprised of state champions as well as US Youth Soccer Midwest Regional League wildcards, commenced day two with hopes of advancing to knockout rounds, and ultimately earning a berth to the 2018 US Youth Soccer National Championships in Frisco, Texas.
FC United 1999 Select 1 (IL) secured its position in the semifinals with its second win today as they are now just two wins away from reaching the National Championships.
“The guys have been working really hard all year to get to the next level and it’s a good group that has come together,” said head coach Pat Flinn. “They’ve been at this level before, so hopefully they can take care of business and get to the next step.”
The 224 participating US Youth Soccer Boys and Girls teams in the 13U through 19U age groups represent 14 State Associations- host Indiana Soccer, and Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio North, Ohio South, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
Some highlights from Friday’s games:
13U Boys
Soccer Nation Academy 05 (KS) was led by Anthony Castor in its 13U Boys division win against Classics Eagles Red 05 (OH-S). The teams went scoreless early on, but in the 21stminute Castor scored to give Soccer Nation the 1-0 lead. Soccer Nation took the narrow lead to halftime. Just six minutes into the second half Castor netted his second goal of the game and fourth of the tournament to increase the lead for Soccer Nation. They held on to the 2-0 lead to earn its second win of the tournament.
14U Girls
In a tightly contested 14U Girls matchup, Libertyville FC 1974 (IL) pulled out a win against Eclipse Select MN 04 (MN). In the 19th minute Meghan Mrowicki found the back of the net for her third goal of the tournament to give Libertyville the lead. Libertyville was able to hold on to the 1-0 lead for its second win of the tournament.
15U Boys
The 15U Boys division saw a quick start from MUS15BPR (MN) against Indiana Elite FC 2003 Premier (IN). Franklin Paul found the net just seven minutes into the game off of a corner kick to give MUS15BPR the early 1-0 lead. Just nine minutes later, Dane Richardson found the back of the net from a cross to tie the game at one. The teams took the 1-1 lead to halftime. In the 59th minute Paul scored his second goal of the game to give MUS15BPR the lead. Aidan McGoogan scored in the 77th minute to give MUS15BPR the two-goal lead late in the game. MUS15BPR held on to the two-goal lead to earn its first win of the tournament.
16U Girls
Lou Fusz United Blue 02 (MO) earned its second win in the 16U Girls division after winning against CSA Impact United 02 Nike Black (OH-N). CSA struck quick with a goal from Brianna Thompson in just the fourth minute of the game. In the final minute of the first half Anna Stiffler headed the ball in for the equalizer for Lou Fusz. The teams were tied at one at halftime. In the second half the team each got shots but could not capitalize. In the 69th minute Riley Merrifield scored her second goal of the tournament to give Lou Fusz the late lead. Lou Fusz held on to earn its second win and will battle two-win KS Rush Academy 2002 (KS) tomorrow to decide the winner of group B.
17U Boys
In the 17U Boys age division Minneapolis United Premier (MN) and Michigan Wolves 01 (MI) finished the game with a draw. Michigan took the early lead off of a goal from Charles Sharp in just the ninth minute. They held the lead for most of the first half until the 45th minute when Jared Hecht scored the equalizer for Minneapolis. Neither team was able to pull ahead, ending the game in a 1-1 draw.
18U Girls
In a tough 18U Girls battle, Pacesetter Soccer Club Villa Red (OH-N) earned its first win of the tournament against Iowa Rush (IA). Pacesetter got out in front early with a goal from Hailey Clere in just the 10th minute. The early part of the game went back and forth with play in the midfield. In the 32nd minute Lucy Weninger netted the equalizer for Iowa. At halftime the game was tied 1-1. Both teams continued to battle hard in the second half with each applying pressure on the offensive end of the field. Clere netted her second goal of the game in the 68th minute after a free kick to give Pacesetter the 2-1 lead. Pacesetter held on to the narrow lead on its way to earning its first win of the tournament.
19U Boys
FC United 1999 Select 1 (IL) secured its position in the 19U Boys division with a win against Sporting Omaha FC Elite 99 (NE). FC United came out with pressure to start the game, earning a penalty kick in the 13th minute that Ryan Kreuger converted to give FC United the early 1-0 lead. Sporting Omaha got a shot late in the first half, the shot sailed high. Late in the first half FC United got two chances to extend the lead but the first attempt went off the post and the second shot was saved by the keeper. In the 45th minute FC United got a corner kick that they scored off to extend its lead to two heading into halftime. Just seven minutes into the second half FC United got a free kick that hit off the post but Sahil Modi was there to put the rebound in the back of the net to extend FC United’s lead to three. Joshua Schmiesing netted a goal to bring Sporting Omaha within two. FC United was able to hold on to the lead and earn a berth in the semifinals.
Regional winners of the 13U through 19U age groups earn a berth to the 2018 US Youth Soccer National Championships, held July 23-29 at the Toyota Soccer Center in Frisco, Texas.
The US Youth Soccer National Championships will consist of US Youth Soccer Regional Champions in the 13U through 19U Boys and Girls age groups, as well as the US Youth Soccer National League qualifiers in the 14U through 18U Boys and Girls age groups to complete the field of 96 teams.
Daily reports and complete results from the Midwest Regional Championships are available on https://www.usyouthsoccer.org/tournaments/2018-midwest-regional-championships/#about.
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