Preliminary Games, Day 1 of 3
Schedule, Standings and Scores
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WESTFIELD, Ind. (June 22, 2018) – The 2018 US Youth Soccer Midwest Regional Championships kicked off Friday at Grand Park Sports Complex in Westfield, Ind.
Teams comprised of state champions as well as US Youth Soccer Midwest Regional League wildcards, commenced day one with hopes of advancing to knockout rounds, and ultimately earning a berth to the 2018 US Youth Soccer National Championships in Frisco, Texas.
Madison 56ers Soccer Club (WI) earned its first win of the tournament in the 16U Boys group as they got one step closer to the National Championship.
“Being here was a goal we set at the beginning of the season and we are just happy to put another check in the box,” head coach Tim Bruner said. “We rose to the occasion and settled in to play the way we have all year; the results took care of itself.”
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 Girls
Tudela FC 05 Elite Showcase (IN) and CSA Impact United 05 Nike Black (OH-N) opened group play in the 13U Girls bracket with a tightly contested game. Play began back and forth early in the midfield with neither team gaining control. In the middle of the first half, CSA applied pressure in the box after a cross, but were unable to capitalize. Tudela got a shot off late in the first half but missed the net leaving the game knotted at zero. CSA closed out the first half on a corner kick, the game went to halftime tied at zero. Both teams opened up the second half with more back and forth play which continued for much of the half. In the 60th minute, Lydia Bordfeld was able to find the back of the net to give Tudela the 1-0 lead with 10-minute remaining. CSA kept fighting till the end, earning a corner kick as regulation expired, but the header missed right of the net. Tudela held on to earn its first win of the tournament.
14U Boys
Nationals Union 04 Black (MI) began play quick in the 14U Boys group against Raiders FC (IL). Just six minutes into the game National’s Jeremy Sharp scored to give them the early lead. After the quick goal, both teams fought hard up and down the field throughout the first half. In the middle of the first half Nationals earned a corner kick but could not capitalize to extend its lead, taking the 1-0 lead to halftime. The teams continued the back and forth play in the second half with Raiders keeping Nationals on their heels. Jake Ursitti found the back of the net in the 62nd minute to extend the lead to two for Nationals.
15U Girls
Evolution 03 Red (IL) earned its first win in the 15U Girls group against CDA Premier 03 (OH-S). It was a low scoring affair that went scoreless through the first half. The first goal came just 11 minutes into the second half from Taylor Korosec to give Evolution the 1-0 lead. Evolution held on to the narrow lead to earn the win.
16U Boys
In the 16U Boys group, Madison 56ers Soccer Club (WI) and VSA 02 Premier (IA) opened play with a tense battle to the final whistle. Madison pushed the tempo early getting into its offensive part of the field. They continued to control the game throughout much of the first half as they got multiple looks on goal. Neither team was able to find the back of the net in the first half, leaving the game knotted at zero after 40 minutes of play. Both teams came out ready continue to compete in the second half, but it was Madison that found the back of the net first in the 59th minute on a goal from Angel Quechol Tecuatl. VSA was awarded a free kick late in the second half that they put on goal but got saved. Madison earned its first win after holding on to the 1-0 lead.
17U Girls
The 17U Girls group opened up with TFA Elite 01 (OH-S) against FC Pride 01 Red (IN). TFA opened play fast, scoring just six minutes in off a goal from Peyton Miller. Just three minutes later, Madelyn Pittman netted her first goal of the tournament to extend the lead for TFA. The first half of play was controlled by TFA, who took a 2-0 lead to halftime. FC Pride came out strong in the second half, immediately applying pressure on the defense of TFA by getting multiple opportunities on goal. TFA was able to extend its lead to three when Julia Hoffmann scored her first goal of the tournament. The defense of TFA held strong to preserve the 3-0 lead and earn the team its first win of the tournament.
18U Boys
Sporting BV Pre Academy 00 (KS) got the scoring started early in the 18U Boys division against Prior Lake Predators (MN). Just one minute into the opening game Luke Sutter found the back of the net to give Sporing BV the quick lead. In the 27th minute, Kevin Andrews netted the equalizer for Prior Lake. Noah Mabry found the back of the net just eight minutes later to give the lead back to Sporting BV who held on to win the game 3-2.
19U Girls
Faith Branson helped lead KC Blaze Blue Angels Academy (KS) to its first win in the 19U Girls division against Kentucky Fire Juniors 99 Red (KY). Branson gave KC Blaze the 1-0 lead just seven minutes into the game. KC Blaze took that lead into halftime. The game went scoreless until the 90th minute when Branson found the back of the net for her second goal of the game to secure the win for KC Blaze.
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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