FC Pride 04 Elite Red Falls 0-2 (OT) in Semis of the US Youth Soccer Region II Championships

Championship Matches Set at the 2017 US Youth Soccer Region II Championships

Semifinal Matches Completed

After four days of competition, the final teams are set to compete in the 2017 US Youth Soccer Region II (Midwest) Championships in Sioux Falls, S.D. From the 224 teams that started, 14 will be crowned. Winners in the 13U through 19/20U Boys and Girls matches will win a Regional title, and earn a berth to the 2017 US Youth Soccer National Championships held July 24-30 at the Toyota Soccer Center in Frisco, Texas.

Of the teams competing in the finals, there are six from Michigan, five from Ohio South, four from Nebraska, three each from Kentucky, Missouri and Illinois, as well as one each from Kansas, Minnesota, Ohio North and Wisconsin.

Six of the seven returning 2016 Region II champions are still in the running and will take part in the championship match once again. The list of remaining 2016 champions includes 15U Girls CUP 02 Gold (OH-S), 16U Girls Nationals Union 01 Black (MI), 17U Girls Midwest United FC 00 Royal (MI), 19/20U Girls EGA Maroon 98 (NE), 18U Boys OP Green (OH-S) and 19/20U Boys OP 97-98 Green (OH-S).

In the 13U Girls age group, CUP 04 Gold (OH-S) earned a 2-0 overtime win against FC Pride 04 Elite Red (IN) to advance to the championship match. Head coach Kurt Fischer describes CUP’s hard work that went into Tuesday’s semifinal.

“It’s always important to know that we can win in multiple ways,” Fischer said. “This game was more of a grind, and we were expecting it to be this way because it was the semifinal. It provides a different set of challenges, and our girls were up for it. We’re proud of them for it.”

Going into the final match, Fischer takes a step back to realize the progress that the team has made.

“It’s a very new team. They come together from very different groups,” Fischer said. “We always thought we were good, and to see the growth and development over the months, it’s been amazing. Credit to them, they’ve put the work in every step.”

Highlights from the semifinal matches:

13U Boys
SOFC Elite 04 (NE) will face St. Louis Scott Gallagher Pre Academy 04 (MO) in the 13U Boys final match. SOFC came back from a 1-0 deficit to defeat Nationals Union 04 Black (MI), 2-1. While Jeremy Sharp scored first for Nationals Union in the 20th minute, SOFC’s Jameson Harris earned the equalizer 14 minutes later, and Jaden Rilantono netted the game winner in the 70th minute. Meanwhile, St. Louis Scott Gallagher posted five goals against Sporting BV SKC Academy 04 (KS) to earn a spot in the finals. Four goals took place in the first half, coming from Giuseppe Gereau, Ryan Harvatin, Anis Smajlovic and Harvatin for his second. Owen Hardy added the fifth in the second half. SOFC and St. Louis Scott Gallagher will both go into Wednesday’s championship match as undefeated teams.

13U Girls
CUP 04 Gold (OH-S) moves on to the finals with a 2-0 overtime victory against FC Pride 04 Elite Red (IN). A full 70 minutes of regulation passed by without a goal, but Campbell Jewell converted one in the 78th minute and one minute later, Mackenzie Boehm added another. After a 3-0 win over Michigan Jaguars 04 Green (MI), Sporting BV (KS) will meet CUP in the championship match. Mia Yang’s goal in the second minute of the game opened up the scoring, and Hannah Glynn as well as Reiss Wood each added late first half goals to seal the victory. Both CUP and Sporting BV are undefeated, and they have each allowed only two goals in four games. CUP’s Boehm also leads the 13U Girls top scorers list with five goals.

14U Boys
FC Wisconsin WDA (WI) earned a 2-0 win against CFJ City 2003 Pre-Ac (IL). They were two first half goals from Nathan Corbett and Vincent Bennage that pushed FC Wisconsin to the championship match. Joining FC Wisconsin in the finals is CUP 03 Gold (OH-S), who posted a 3-0 victory over Canton United (OH-N). Nathan Page, William Bruce and Vince Brown each contributed goals to CUP’s win. FC Wisconsin has still yet to drop a match, as the team has posted nine goals and only allowed one. Meanwhile, CUP went 2-1-0 in group play, and the Ohio South side’s Nathan Page currently tops the 14U Boys top scorers list with six goals.

14U Girls
Nationals Union 03 Black (MI) took a 3-0 win against Cleveland United (OH-N). With all three goals taking place in the first half, Madeline Kohler, Natalie Kocsis and Brooklyn Steere each added a goal to the scoreboard. Nationals Union will face KHA Red (KY), who advances after a 2-0 victory against Chicago Fire Juniors South Premier (IL). In the seventh minute, Summer Denigan put the ball in the net for KHA, and just before the half, Denigan scored again, completing the two-goal win. Both Nationals Union and KHA accumulated 2-0-1 records in group play, and the teams each have allowed only two goals. Sierra Curtis and Steere top the 14U Girls leading scorers list with four goals each.

15U Boys
The two teams playing for the 15U Boys title both advance after a 1-0 victory in Tuesday’s semifinal match. NFC 02 Blue (NE) earned its win against Club Ohio Green 1 (OH-S) in the second minute of the game with the goal credit going to Abdillahi Adan. Midwest United FC 02 Royal (MI) defeated Ohio Premier Green (OH-S) after an eighth-minute goal from Noah Brumels. Midwest United goes into the final with an undefeated record, while NFC went 2-1-0 in the preliminary round.

15U Girls
Nationals Union 02 Black (MI) claimed a 3-1 victory in overtime against Sporting OFC 2002 Elite (NE) to earn a spot in the 15U Girls championship match. Zoe Bessert put Nationals Union Black ahead in the 67th minute, but Sporting OFC’s Megan Streiff equalized the game four minutes later. As the game headed into overtime, Nationals Union Black’s Emily Mathews and Bessert each netted a goal to take the win. Nationals Union Black will face CUP 02 Gold (OH-S), who defeated Nationals Union 02 Red (MI), 2-1. After Nationals Union Red got on the board first with a goal from Mary Paulon, CUP’s Sydney Jones and Kailyn Dudukovich each scored goals to earn the comeback victory. While Nationals Union Black and CUP both went undefeated through the preliminary games, CUP also totaled 22 goals and allowed only two.

Because the final two teams, Nationals Union Black and CUP, previously qualified for the National Championships through the US Youth Soccer National League, semifinalists Sporting OFC and Nationals Union Red will compete in a play-in game on Wednesday to determine the 15U Girls Region II Representative at Nationals.

16U Boys
After a 3-2 win over Galaxy 2001 Blue (IL), Javanon 2001 Black (KY) moves on to the championship match. Javanon went up 3-0 in the first 15 minutes of the game as the goals came from Case Cox, Brandon McManus and Jansen Wilson. Galaxy attempted to catch up as Patrick Koenig scored two goals, but Javanon claimed the win. Javanon will face SLSG Elite (MO), who took a 1-0 victory against Michigan Wolves 01 (MI). The only game of the match came from Samuel Benoist in the 27th minute. Javanon went 3-0-0 in group play, and McManus leads the age group’s top scorers with six goals.

16U Girls
Both teams in the 16U Girls final match went on scoring sprees to advance from the semifinals. Nationals Union 01 Black (MI) picked up a 4-2 win against TFA Elite 01 (OH-S). As Allison Leonard opened up the scoring with a penalty kick in the 37th minute, Leonard scored again in the second half, and Arianna Jalics and Gaynor each added one goal to complete the score. TFA’s Elizabeth Flower and Alyssa Suder each contributed goals in an attempt to get back into the game, but Nationals Union claimed the win. In the final match, Nationals Union will face Kings Hammer Academy Red (KY), who comes off of a 5-1 win over Sporting Iowa Academy 1 (IA). Kings Hammer’s Brooke Harden posted a hat trick for the day, while Elizabeth Lovdal and Alison Gessner each added a goal to the score. Meanwhile, Sporting Iowa’s lone goal came from Abbey Van Wyngarden. While Nationals Union attained a 2-0-1 record in the group stage, Kings Hammer went undefeated, and Harden from Kings Hammer tops the 16U Girls leading scorers list with six goals. Nationals Union’s Leonard stands in second behind Harden with four goals.

17U Boys
Raiders FC (IL) and Michigan Jaguars 00 Green (MI) will battle in the 17U Boys championship match. With an 80th-minute goal from Fernando Barragan, Raiders took a 1-0 win over Ohio Premier Green (OH-S). Michigan Jaguars sneak into the finals after a late 2-1 comeback win over Nationals Union 00 Black (MI). While Jack Barnett put Nationals Union ahead in the 71st minute, Michigan Jaguars retaliated one minute later with a goal from Jeremy Coen. Alexander Dalou then put away the game winner in the 90th minute. Dalou is currently tied for first on the 17U Boys top scorers list with four goals. Both of the teams in the final match earned 2-0-1 records during the group stage, and Michigan Jaguars did not allow a goal until Tuesday’s game.

17U Girls
Sporting Omaha FC Elite 2000 (NE) defeated Nationals Union Black (MI), 3-1, in Tuesday’s semifinal match. Delaney Gunn opened up the scoring for Sporting Omaha in the 33rd minute, while Aleyse Evers scored two second half goals for the Nebraska side. Despite a goal from Nationals Union’s Emma Collins, Sporting Omaha advances to the championship game. Meeting Sporting Omaha in the final is Midwest United FC 00 Royal (MI), who defeated CUP 00 Gold (OH-S), 2-1. As a familiar matchup, Midwest United and CUP faced each other in the 2016 Region II Championship semifinals as well as in the 2016 National Championship game. In both 2016 matches, Midwest United came out on top and did the same on Tuesday as Avery Lockwood and Jennifer Blitchok netted the two goals. CUP’s Kate Larbes earned a second half goal, but Midwest United held onto the win. While Sporting Omaha has yet to lose a game, Midwest United recorded a 2-0-1 record and did not allow any goals in group play.

18U Boys
LTSC Union Showcase 99/00 (IL) will take on OP Green (OH-S) for the 18U Boys final match. LTSC advances after defeating Nationals Union 99 Black (MI) in kicks from the mark. In regulation, Antonino Evola scored first for Nationals Union, but LTSC came back with goals from Jack Richards and Nathan Rusk. Nationals Union’s Brock Schultz then tied up the match for a 2-2 game right after Rusk’s go-ahead goal. After two overtime periods, LTSC won the shootout, 4-2, for an overall 3-2 victory. On the other side of the 18U Boys age group, OP moves on with a 1-0 win over FC United Select (IL). All it took was a 50th minute goal from Chris Dowling for OP to claim the win. Both LTSC and FC United are undefeated going into Wednesday’s championship game.

18U Girls
Cleveland FC (OH-N) took a 2-1 victory over Nationals Union 99 Black (MI) in Tuesday’s semifinal match. Cleveland FC got on the board first with a goal from Vanessa DiNardo, and even though Nationals Union’s Ashleigh Garcia equalized the game, Kayla Fischer put Cleveland FC ahead for the win. Joining Cleveland FC in the championship game is Minneapolis United Inferno (MN), who battled Kings Hammer Academy Red (OH-S) in kicks from the mark for an overall 3-2 win. Kings Hammer’s Mary Tierney netted a goal in the third minute, but Ansley Atkinson tied up the match for Minneapolis United, and although Marissa Kalkar took the lead for Minneapolis United in the 43rd minute, Ellie Mink kept Kings Hammer in the game with her second half goal. In kicks from the mark, Minneapolis United defeated Kings Hammer, 4-3. Cleveland FC is undefeated as DiNardo leads the 18U Girls top scorers with four goals. Minneapolis United went 2-0-1 in group play without allowing any goals.

19/20U Boys
FC United (IL) posted a 3-0 win over Sporting OFC 98 Elite (NE) with goals coming from Julian Hilpuesch, Noah Melick and Jaylen Anderson. Meeting FC United in the championship match is OP 97-98 Green (OH-S), who took a 6-1 victory against Milwaukee Bavarians (WI). Despite the fact that Milwaukee Bavarians’ John Bradford scored first, OP’s Brady Whittekind and Jarrod Ferstl each contributed two goals, and Jack Holland as well as Brian Woo also added one each. Both FC United and OP went 2-0-1 in the preliminary games. Through four games, FC United posted 10 goals and allowed one, while OP totaled 18 goals and allowed three.

19/20U Girls
FC Kansas City Forte Elite 98 (MO) goes to the finals after a 4-0 victory against Shattuck-St. Mary’s Sabres (MN). Brionna Halverson posted two goals, while Kayla Deaver and Alexis Mitchell each added one for the Missouri side. FC Kansas City will take on EGA Maroon 98 (NE), who defeated Michigan Hawks 98 Black (MI), 2-0, in the semifinals. A goal from Jade King and one from Hannah Davis gave the Nebraska team the win. During the group stage, FC Kansas City went 3-0-0, totaling 19 goals. Kassandra Ginther has contributed eight goals and tops the 19/20U Girls leading scorers, and Halverson stands in second with five.

Championship Matches:

Time	Age Group	Home	State	Away	State	Field
8:00 AM	13U Girls	CUP 04 Gold	OH-S	Sporting BV	KS	Field 11
8:00 AM	14U Boys	FC Wisconsin WDA	WI	CUP 03 Gold	OH-S	Field 12
8:00 AM	15U Girls	Nationals Union 02 Black	MI	CUP 02 Gold	OH-S	Field 14
8:00 AM	16U Boys	Javanon 2001 Black	KY	SLSG Elite	MO	Field 9
8:00 AM	17U Girls	Sporting Omaha FC ELITE 2000	NE	Midwest United FC 00 Royal	MI	Field 13
8:00 AM	18U Boys	LTSC Union Showcase 99/00	IL	OP Green	OH-S	Field 10
8:00 AM	19/20U Girls	FC Kansas City Forte Elite 98	MO	EGA Maroon 98	NE	Field 15
10:00 AM	13U Boys	SOFC Elite 04	NE	St. Louis Scott Gallagher Pre Academy 04	MO	Field 10
10:00 AM	14U Girls	Nationals Union 03 Black	MI	KHA Red	KY	Field 15
10:00 AM	15U Boys	NFC 02 Blue	NE	Midwest United FC 02 Royal	MI	Field 14
10:00 AM	16U Girls	Nationals Union 01 Black	MI	Kings Hammer Academy Red	KY	Field 9
10:00 AM	17U Boys	Raiders FC	IL	Michigan Jaguars 00 Green	MI	Field 11
10:00 AM	18U Girls	Cleveland FC	OH-N	Minneapolis United Inferno	MN	Field 13
10:00 AM	19/20U Boys	FC United	IL	OP 97-98 Green	OH-S	Field 12

10:00 AM	15U Girls PLAY-IN	Sporting OFC 2002 Elite	NE	Nationals Union 02 Red	MI	Field 16

Regional winners of the 13U through 19/20U age groups earn a berth to the 2017 US Youth Soccer National Championships, held July 24-30 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 19/20U Boys and Girls age groups, as well as the US Youth Soccer National League qualifiers in the 15U through 19/20U Boys and Girls age groups to complete the field of 96 teams.

Daily reports and complete results from the Region II Championships are available on http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org/regionii. Follow the moments from the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series on Twitter and share the moments on Instagram and Facebook using #ROADtoTX.

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About the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series – The US Youth Soccer National Championship Series provides more than 10,000 teams from US Youth Soccer's 55 State Associations the opportunity to showcase their abilities against the best in the nation while emphasizing teamwork, discipline and fair play. The yearlong competition begins with over 185,000 players in the US Youth Soccer State Championships. These champions and selected wildcard teams, through US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues, advance to compete in one of four US Youth Soccer Regional Championships. Champions (13U through 19/20U) from each regional event advance to the US Youth Soccer National Championships. The 15U through 19/20U Boys and Girls age groups have four teams representing the US Youth Soccer National League. Overall, the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series provides the nation's top collegiate coaches with the premier stage to identify and scout the most coveted players in the country. For more information, visit http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org.

About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer) – US Youth Soccer - "The Game for ALL Kids!^®" is the largest youth sports organization in the country and largest member of the United States Soccer Federation, the governing body of soccer in the United States. US Youth Soccer registers more than 3 million players annually, ages 5 to 19, and over 900,000 administrators, coaches and volunteers in 55 member State Associations. US Youth Soccer programs provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game. For more information, visit www.USYouthSoccer.org.