DES MOINES, Iowa (June 27, 2007) – Today the Midwest’s best were crowned US Youth Soccer Region II Champions and for the more than 212 teams from the region’s 14 US Youth Soccer Associations, the environment couldn’t have been better for soccer.  Clear skies and a cool breeze kicked of a day that would see four overtime games and the allocation of of twelve tickets to the nation’s championship for youth soccer, the US Youth Soccer National Championships to be played July 24-29 in Frisco, Texas.

Winners in the Under-14 through Under-19 age groups will take one of four places in the national championships.

2007 US Youth Soccer Region II (Midwest) Champions
Girls   
Under-13         Bangu TSU Academy (MN)
Under-14*       Carmel United SC Academy (IN)
Under-15*       ELA Elite (IL)
Under-16*       Michigan Hawks (MI)
Under-17*       Michigan Hawks (MI)
Under-18*       Bloomfield Force (MI)
Under-19*       Carmel United SC Cyclones (IN)

Boys   
Under-13         CASA Black (OH-N)
Under-14*       Sockers SC (IL)
Under-15*       Michigan Wolves Black (MI)
Under-16*       Michigan Wolves (MI)
Under-17*       FC Milwaukee (WI)
Under-18*       NFC Bluejays (NE)
Under-19*       Chicago Magic (IL)
*Advance to US Youth Soccer National Championships

Teams from the Michigan Hawks-Wolves soccer club would lead the charge to Frisco, as two boys (Wolves) and two girls (Hawks) teams would win their championship matches and advance to represent the region in the final four formats of the national championships.  Another team from Michigan, Bloomfield Force, will send its Under-18 Girls team to total five teams from Michigan claiming championships.   

Last year’s regional champion, FC Milwaukee, would play a team that appeared destined to knock them off of their perch in the Rockford Raptors (IL), a two-time regional champion, national qualifier.  Not allowing the Raptors to get anything started, Milwaukee’s Ethan Finlay scored two minutes into the game.  The goal would stand as a possession battle turned into a stalemate as neither side offered any definitive scoring chances. 

The Under-14 Girls final featured Lexington FC Premier, who was seeking to be the only girls’ team from Kentucky to ever advance to the national championships.  Lexington scored early in the first and the goal held the lead until late in the second when Carmel United (IN) tied the game in the 63^rd.  After the double-overtime period the game remained at 1-1.  It came down to penalty kicks to determine who would represent the region and Carmel came out on top, 5:4.    

Today, the NFC Bluejays defeated Internationals (OH-N), 3-0, in the Under-18 Boys final to become only the second team from Nebraska to advance to the national championships.  The Bluejays were led by Joshua Moran who scored in the 6^th and 30^th.

“We are proud to represent Nebraska and look forward to going to the national championships,” said Mike Moran, head coach for NFC Bluejays.  “This is something we’ve been working for, for a very long time and to advance feels incredible.”

The Under-19 Girls final featured Carmel United (IN) against FC Milwaukee (WI).  Carmel has won eight Indiana US Youth Soccer State Championships since the team formed and coach Gene Lindley believes that to be a record of some sort, “This group of girls has advanced to five straight regional semifinals and over the last couple of years it has come down to us or Eclipse Select.  This year we were more focused and mature in our preparation and the commitment these girls have shown says it all.”  Carmel’s roster is comprised of NCAA Division I scholarship athletes from top to bottom. 

The storied Chicago Magic team, now Under-19 Boys continue their rich tradition as they defeated MYSC Blue (WI), 2-0 to advance.  A five-time regional champion, the team has been together since they were Under-13s and coach John Hannan thought this year’s championship final highlighted great soccer on both sides, “It was a clean, fun game and it was all about playing soccer.  It was a great championship environment for both teams.”

Scores for today, Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Under-13 Girls
(OH-N) Internationals vs. (MN) Bangu TSU Academy, 2:3 (OT)
28 (29:00), 24 (47:00)
25 (64:00), 16 (67:00)

Under-13 Boys
(OH-N) CASA Black vs. (IL) Chicago Wind, 3-1
40 (9:00) (28:00), 6 (63:00)
3 (13:00)

Under-14 Girls
(KY) LFC Premier vs. (IN) Carmel United Academy, 1-1 (4:5PKs)
12 (8:00)
27 (63:00)

Under-14 Boys
(IL) Sockers FC vs. (IL) Naperville Lighting, 2-2 (5:4PKs)
35 (55:00), 3 (62:00)
12 (27:00), 5 (70:00)

Under-15 Girls
(IL) ELA Elite vs. (KS) BV Stars Mallorca, 2-1
Jannelle Flaws (40:00) (53:00)
Amanda Laddish (31:00)

Under-15 Boys
(MI) Michigan Wolves Black vs. (MI) Vardar Stars, 7-0
Joshua Gatt (11:00), Hassan “Soony” Saad (18:00) (27:00) (72:00) (79:00), Jordan Tyler (27:00), Cody Henderson (30:00)

Under-16 Girls
(WI) FC Milwaukee vs. (MI) Michigan Hawks, 1-4
Laurie Nosbusch (62:00)
Chelsea Hunter (15:00), Emily Jaffe (88:00) (94:00), Samantha Echols (91:00)

Under-16 Boys
(MI) Michigan Wolves vs. (IL) Chicago Magic, 2-0
Tommy Catalano (5:00), Corey Majkowski (67:00)

Under-17 Girls
(MO) St. Louis SC vs. (MI) Michigan Hawks, 0-1
Jenna Carosio (34:00)

Under-17 Boys
(WI) FC Milwaukee vs. (IL) Rockford Raptors, 1-0
Ethan Finlay (2:00)

Under-18 Girls
(MO) St. Louis SC vs. (MI) Bloomfield Force, 2-6
Lindsay Brisko (22:00), Lindsey Owens (40:00)
Amanda Bowery (11:00) (54:00), Laura Heyboer (19:00) (64:00), Lindsey Haroutunian (49:00), Dani Haelewyn (72:00)

Under-18 Boys
(OH-N) Internationals vs. (NE) NFC Bluejays, 0-3
Joshua Moran (6:00) (30:00), Tim Krueger (24:00)

Under-19 Girls
(WI) FC Milwaukee vs. (IN) Carmel United SC Cyclones, 0-2
Rachel Vandergenugten (5:00), Unknown (7:00) 

Under-19 Boys
(IL) Chicago Magic vs. (WI) MYSC, 2-0
Taylor Waspi (70:00), Steve Kolzow (80:00)

Regional winners of the Under-14 through Under-19 brackets earn a berth to the 2007 US Youth Soccer National Championships to be played July 24-29, in Frisco, Texas, at Pizza Hut Park.

The following teams have been acknowledged for their fair play during the US Youth Soccer Region II Championships.  Congratulations to these model teams on their quality of play and excellent sportsmanship:

US Youth Soccer Region II Championships | Fair Play Award Winners
Girls   
Under-13       Lincoln United Fusion (NE)
Under-14       Red River Rebels (ND)
Under-15       Gladiator Rio (NE)
Under-16       Internationals (OH-N)
Under-17       Red River Hammers (ND)
Under-18       St. Croix Eclectic (MN)
Under-19       Louisville Soccer Alliance (KY)

Boys   
Under-13       Red River Reds (NE)
Under-14       Great Plains Quest (SD)
Under-15       Red River United (NE)
Under-16       West Des Moines Ultimate (IA)
Under-17       Dakota Gold Phantom (SD)
Under-18       Spearfish Knights (SD)
Under-19       Prairie Soccer Club (IA)