US Youth Soccer Great Lakes Conference Recap: April 9-11, 2021

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Over 90 matches were played April 9-11 in the US Youth Soccer Great Lakes Conference, making it the conference’s busiest weekend thus far in the Spring 2021 season.

The Girls 14U Premier II Division held the most action, as seven games were played over the course of Saturday and Sunday. The first game finished with Columbus United 07 Lions (OH-S) defeating WCSA 2007G Elite (OH-S) 1-0.

The remaining six games were played in a club-hosted weekend, hosted by BSA Celtic (OH-S) at the Athletes in Action facility. The weekend began with Arsenal FC of Pittsburgh 2007G Premier (PA-W) clinching a 1-0 win over NWI Lions United 07G Yellow (IN), followed by BSA Celtic G07 White (OH-S) defeating LFC 07 Girls White (KY) by the same score line. Javanon 2007 Girls (KY) wrapped up the first day of action with a 9-0 win over Beadling 2007 Girls Elite South (PA-W).

The action continued Sunday morning, with NWI Lions United 07G Yellow (IN) getting a 4-0 win over Beadling 2007 Girls Elite South (PA-W). Arsenal FC of Pittsburgh 2007G Premier (PA-W) followed that with its second win of the weekend, beating LFC 07 Girls White (KY), 3-0, before the weekend wrapped up with a 1-1 draw between Javanon 2007 Girls (KY) and BSA Celtic G07 White (OH-S).

With a third of the division’s games played, WCSA 2007G Elite (OH-S) leads the way with three wins out of four, followed closely by Javanon 2007 Girls (KY) and Arsenal FC of Pittsburgh 2007G Premier (PA-W) on seven points. The remainder of the season should see some very competitive matches as teams eye promotion to the Premier I Division next season.

The Boys 16U First Division Blue also saw a busy weekend, with five games played, four of which were at Darree Fields, hosted by Club Ohio (OH-S). Columbus United 05 Lions (OH-S) kicked off the weekend with a 1-0 win over CUSA B05 Elite (OH-S). Hotspurs North 2005B Blue (PA-W) began its weekend at Darree Fields with a 4-1 win over LouCity Academy 05 Black (KY), which was followed by a 0-0 draw between Century Boys 2005 Gold (PA-W) and Club Ohio 2005B Green 1 (OH-S).

The matchups swapped on Sunday, with Hotspurs North 2005B Blue (PA-W) getting its second win, a 2-0 result over Club Ohio 2005B Green 1 (OH-S). Century Boys 2005 Gold (PA-W) earned a 3-1 win over LouCity Academy 05 Black (KY) to conclude the weekend. With the division still in the early stages, Hotspurs North 2005B Blue (PA-W) is at the top of the standings after its two wins, and Century Boys 2005 Gold (PA-W) is in second place.

Staying at Darree Fields, the 17U Boys Premier II Division had four games played over the course of the weekend. Arsenal FC of Pittsburgh 2004B Academy (PA-W) got the weekend rolling with a 3-1 win over DCFC Youth West 04 Maroon (MI), which was followed by a 1-1 draw between Club Ohio 2004B Green 1 (OH-S) and Nationals Union 04 Boys Red (MI). Sunday saw Arsenal FC of Pittsburgh 2004B Academy (PA-W) make it two wins out of two, defeating Nationals Union 04 Boys Red (MI), 2-0. The weekend concluded with Club Ohio 2004B Green 1 (OH-S) getting a 5-0 victory over DCFC Youth West 04 Maroon (MI).

The Boys Club vs. Club Division saw plenty of action, as well, with four matchups taking place over the weekend, all along the Ohio-Kentucky border.

Kings Hammer Academy (KY) won the series against Lexington FC (KY), taking four of the five games played between the two clubs, with Lexington FC getting the win in the 16U matchup.

• KHA B06 Red (OH-S) won, 2-0
• Lexington FC 05 Boys White (KY) won, 1-0
• KHA B04 Red (KY) won, 5-0
• KHA B03 Premier (KY) won, 3-1
• KHA B02 Red (KY) won, 2-0

Across the border in Cincinnati, Javanon FC (KY) traveled to play Cincinnati United (OH-S), with the hosts winning all four games, while conceding just one goal.

• CUP 06 Gold (OH-S) won, 2-0
• CUP 05 Gold (OH-S) won, 1-0
• CUP 04 Gold (OH-S) won, 5-1
• CUP 03 Gold (OH-S) won, 1-0

The clubs swapped matchups, with Cincinnati United (OH-S) hosting Lexington FC (KY) on Sunday. Following two draws in the 15U and 16U matchup, Cincinnati United (OH-S) won the last two games to take the series.

• CUP 06 Gold (OH-S) tie LFC 06 Boys White (KY), 1-1
• CUP 05 Gold (OH-S) tie Lexington FC 05 Boys White (KY), 2-2
• CUP 04 Gold (OH-S) won, 4-0
• CUP 03 Gold (OH-S) won, 6-0

Meanwhile, Kings Hammer Academy (KY) played Javanon FC (KY), with Kings Hammer Academy (KY) winning all but the 18U Boys matchup.

• KHA B06 Red (OH-S) won, 1-0
• KHA B05 Red (KY) won, 2-0
• KHA B04 Red (KY) won, 2-0
• Javanon 2003 Boys Black (KY) won, 2-1

James Thomas, Academy Boys Director at Kings Hammers Academy, was very happy to see his club play its first full Club vs. Club weekend of the season.

“Our groups were able to put together some positive performances throughout the weekend, which fortunately also coincided with many good results,” Thomas said. “The Club vs. Club structure allows our teams and staff the opportunity to be in one location and support each other across a full day of matches. It also benefits us as a staff, as it allows us the opportunity to readily evaluate our style of play and principles across all our high school age groups.”

The Girls Club vs. Club Division saw one matchup played over the weekend, with Total Futbol Academy (OH-S) winning all four games its teams played against Lexington FC (KY).

• TFA G06 Elite (OH-S) won, 6-1
• TFA G05 Elite (OH-S) won, 7-0
• TFA G04 Elite (OH-S) won, 3-1
• TFA G03 Elite (OH-S) won, 4-2

“As we get into the bulk of our schedule, it’s important that we start to peak. Our coaching staff does a great job of ensuring that our players are ready,” said Erik Schoening, Executive Director of Coaching at Total Futbol Academy. “The TFA coaching staff is working diligently to prepare for our Club vs. Club schedule. With National League positions up for grabs we understand the importance of every match.”

To follow the Great Lakes Conference results and standings, click here.

Click here for more information on the Great Lakes Conference. For more information on all of the National League Conferences, the National League Showcase Series, and the National League Playoffs, click here.