Team Elmhurst U12 Girls Team Shines at Tourney

Tenacious was the word for the weekend as the U12 Girls Select team took on the competition in the Great Lakes Soccer Challenge in Plainfield, IL.  The girls started strong with a 5-0 win over Moline United only to go on to a 3-1 victory over Galaxy Blue.  In their third bracket match vs. Panthers Orange, the team rallied from a two point deficit at half-time to a 4-2 by the end of the second half.   Their strongest competition came from north of the state border when they again battled back from a two point deficit to tie the game in the second half.  It was only in the shootout round that the team fell to the Appleton Soccer Club in a final score of 3-2.

It’s was definitely a building weekend as this young team found its way following the addition of two new athletes and the loss of another to injury.  Throughout the entire weekend, players tried new positions as forwards played defense, midfielders played offense, and defenders moved up field.  Returnees to the team were Olivia Hurt, Mary Katherine Kapsch, Kathleen Levins, Sarah May, Allison Milkowski, Anissa Nourse, Lindsey Schiller, Madison Stark, Michaela Ward. Welcome additions Madeline Welz and Samantha Molis rounded out the tourney roster with Isabella Cook providing moral support for the weekend.

Coach Karsten Roy summed it up best following the final match:  "It was a great weekend to get some more games in for the players early in the season.  In two of our games the girls came back from 2-0 deficits in the tournament which really shows the competitiveness and drive from the team.  In the finals vs. Appleton Soccer Club (Wisconsin) we definitely created some chances to win in regulation but ended in a 2-2 tie to go into a penalty kick tie breaker.  It is always tough to lose in penalty kicks in the championship game.  I'm proud of the girls with the composure, passing and effort they had throughout the entire weekend."     

The U12G Select play in the Illinois Women’s Soccer League A division.  For more information on Team Elmhurst, visit their Web site at www.elmhurstsoccer.com

Picture Caption:U12G Select Tournament Finalists:Back Row (L-R):  Samantha Molis, Isabella Cook, Michaela Ward, Kathleen Levins, Mary Katherine Kapsch, Coach Karsten Roy, Lindsey Schiller, Madeline WelzFront Row (L-R):  Madison Stark, Allison Milkowski, Olivia Hurt, Anissa Nourse, Sarah May