Team Chicago Academy-Cruzeiro clinched the U14 MRL Premier I Division title and a berth into the 2014 USYSA Region II Championships in Dayton, OH, June 20-25th, and a berth into the 2014-15 USYSA National League with two games to spare.

Cruzeiro battled very adverse conditions in Rockford, IL with both strong winds and extremely poor field conditions, as they moved to a perfect 5-0-0 with a 2-1 defeat of Futura FC Pink Panthers (MO) on Saturday and a 2-0 defeat of Hoosiers FC (IN) Sunday morning.

On Saturday, Cruzeiro trailed 1-0 at the half after completely dominating play in the first half. However, the deficit was quickly wiped out early in the 2nd half by a wonderful strike by Jamie Goralski assisted by Kerry Abello and Jordan King. And a few minutes later Jamie Goralski got the game-winner assisted by Alyssa Bombacino and Kerry Abello.

In Sunday’s game, Madison Zaleski got the eventual game-winner 12 minutes into the first half assisted by Jamie Goralski and Emma Rydholm. And with 10 minutes to go Alyssa Bombacino sealed the win with a fantastic solo-run beating 3 defenders and calmly walking around the GK before tucking the ball into an empty net.

GK Bailee Witt recorded her 3rd shutout in MRL Premier I Division play and has only conceded 2 goals in 5 MRL games this Spring. And even more impressively, Bailee and her defense have only conceded 6 goals in the last 21 competitive games.

Team Chicago Academy-Internacional defender Sophia Moreau has accepted a great scholarship offer to continue her soccer career at Bowling Green State University. Sophia, who plays her prep soccer for coaching legend Joe Moreau at Neuqua Valley H.S., will be part of Bowling Green Head Coach Lindsay Basalyga’s 2015 recruiting class.

BGSU Falcons play in the NCAA Division I Mid-American Conference (MAC), and Sophia is now the 6th player from Internacional to commit to a MAC school.

Team Chicago U15, U16, U17, U18 Girls Tryouts This Weekend!

Team Chicago Academy-Internacional & America U18 Sunday 5-6:30pm

Team Chicago Academy-Vasco U17 Saturday 6-7:30pm

Team Chicago Academy-Brasilia U16 Saturday 6-7:30pm

Team Chicago Academy-Cruzeiro U15 Sunday 6:30-8pm

Please, pre-register at

http://www.teamchicagosoccer.org/tc_tryouts.htm

Team Chicago Academy-Ponte Preta showed off how much it has improved over the past 6 months this past weekend at a windy Olympic Park in Schaumburg. Back in October, Ponte Preta competed in the same tournament struggling to score any goals in three games. This past weekend, in more difficult conditions, Ponte Preta scored 7 goals while only giving up 3, and the girls displayed great team skill scoring every goal against the fierce wind.

On Saturday, the first game against Grand Rapids Crew Jrs was won 3-1 with goals from Emily Alt and Abby Kay (2). The second game was against Force FC, where the 3-0 scoreline did not accurately depict the sway of the game. Goals were scored by Sarah Phillips (2) and Delaney Putnam. The last group game on Sunday morning was great preparation for the final as the girls fell 1-2 to Sockers FC with the lone goal scored by Lexi Juarez.

The final, played against Ela Elite, with less than an hour of rest, was a tale of two halves dictated primarily by the wind. Both teams had the majority of their chances with the wind at their back, but the goalies prevailed leaving regulation with a 0-0 tie. Ultimately the title had to be decided by penalty kicks. With opening PKs missed by each team, Ponte Preta needed only one save from Reagan Sanders as they finished their remaining chances winning the shootout 4-2.

The stingy defense was headed up by Reagan Sanders in goal who had help from Alexandra Weibel, Yari Aguado, Katrin Gatz, Maddie Kastel (who also helped briefly in goal), Delaney Putnam, and Morgan Miller. The midfield work was done by Emily Alt, Katie Olivas, Lexi Juarez, Yuvia Ontiveros, and Jennifer Garcia. The attack was lead by Abby Kay, Julia Pachapa, Terri Scarlett, and Sarah Phillips.

Congratulations, and good luck this weekend as the girls travel to Fort Wayne, IN for the Shoot for the Cure tournament!

On Sunday, the Daily Herald will welcome many of the most excellent prep athletes of this school year to the second edition of Prep Sports Excellence. Two of these honorees are Team Chicago Academy-Santos teammates Rachel Brots (Waubonsie Valley) and Olivia Schmitt (Neuqua Valley).

We’ve again reached out to the schools we cover and have asked them to nominate their top five male and female competitors for inclusion in the event, to be held at the Sears Centre.
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In a change from last year’s format, we’ll be presenting awards to the best of the bunch in four categories:

• Dazzling moments: An award devoted to the top individual moment of the school year for each gender (presented by Woodfield Mall).

• Heart and Soul: For a male and female athlete who have inspired through their actions (presented by Marquardt Buick of Barrington, GMC).

• Spirit of sportsmanship: Recognizing a team or individual from each gender which demonstrated exemplary conduct (presented by Aquafina Flavorsplash).

• Overcoming obstacles: An honor reserved for an athlete of each gender who overcame an unusual challenge to succeed (presented by Alexian Brothers Health Network).

With the Daily Herald’s Joe Aguilar as master of ceremonies and an inspirational speaking appearance by Matt Mayberry, it promises to be a fulfilling afternoon for all who attend.