US Youth Soccer Great Lakes Conference Weekend Recap: March 26-28, 2021

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The US Youth Soccer Great Lakes Conference saw over 40 games play this past weekend, with 23 divisions represented.

The 15U Boys Premier II Division had three teams play three games in a round-robin at Groveport Madison High School in Ohio. On Saturday, Ft Wayne United 06 Academy (IN) defeated Barcelona United Academy 06B (OH-S), 2-1, in the opening game, before SCS United 2006 Boys Black (PA-W) saw off Barcelona United Academy 06B (OH-S), 3-1, in the night game. SCS United 2006 Boys Black (PA-W) finished the weekend with another win, beating Ft Wayne United 06 Academy (IN), 3-1.

Max Shinsky has seen plenty of progress early on coaching the SCS United team.

“We have really focused in on our principles and style of play and the team has really bought in and the work they put in for each other in games and training is starting to pay off,” Shinsky said. “I would attribute the success of the team to their resilient defending and ability to score goals from all areas.”

On the girls’ side, the 14U Girls First Division Blue standings continued to take shape with four games being played over the weekend to add to the four played earlier in the month. Friday night saw FOSC G07 Elite (OH-S) kick off the weekend with a 4-1 win over Indiana Fire Jrs South 07 Red (IN).

The following morning saw Century 2007 RAGE (PA-W) get a narrow 2-1 win over Indiana Fire Jrs South 07 Red (IN), before FOSC 07 Elite (OH-S) got its second win on the weekend, defeating Century 2007 RAGE (PA-W), 2-1, in the afternoon game. Sunday saw WVFC 2007 Girls Black (WV) get a 1-0 win over Team Challenger FC South 07 Gold (OH-N) to get its first win of the season.

After eight games played, Empire United Rochester 2007 Girls (NY-W) lead the pack in the 14U Girls First Division Blue standings, winning two and drawing one of their three games, all of which were played prior to this weekend. FOSC G07 Elite (OH-S) is right at their heels after their two wins this past weekend, which coach Brandon Robson is excited about.

“Our wins over the weekend can be attributed to our club’s quality training over the winter and our teams focus leading into the Spring season,” Robson said. “The girls are grateful for the quality of competition within the Great Lakes Conference and are taking each of these matches as an opportunity to prepare for the Ohio South State Cup.”

Club vs. Club Divisions

Sixteen games were played over the weekend across the Club vs. Club Divisions, with both genders getting games in. Team Challenger FC (OH-N) was the busiest of the clubs, as its boys teams played two rounds of games against two clubs from Kentucky — Javanon FC and Lexington FC — on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Team Challenger FC won each of the 15U-17U games played against Javanon FC at Elizabethtown Sports Park.

• Team Challenger FC B06 Gold (OH-N) won, 1-0
• Team Challenger FC B05 Black (OH-N) won, 1-0
• Team Challenger FC B04 Black (OH-N) won, 3-1

On Sunday, Team Challenger FC traveled further north to Lexington to take on Lexington FC in the same age groups. Team Challenger FC won the series again, winning two and drawing one of their three games against Lexington FC.

• LFC 06 Boys White (KY) tied Team Challenger FC B06 Gold (OH-N), 1-1
• Team Challenger FC B05 Black (OH-N) won, 3-0
• Team Challenger FC B04 Black (OH-N) won, 4-0

“Travel is a tough aspect in any high-level sporting competition, so it is a real testament as to how dedicated our players are in order to make a same-day drive and still be able to compete at the level which they did,” said Jacob Lagania, coach of Team Challenger FC. “We are very proud of the team’s growth and improvement as a coaching staff and look forward to working twice as hard to prepare for the next round of matches.”

It was even busier for the Girls Club vs. Club, with three matchups taking place over the weekend. FC Evolution (OH-N) was the busiest club, playing against Kings Hammer Academy (KY) on Saturday and Total Futbol Academy (OH-S) on Sunday. Against Kings Hammer Academy, FC Evolution earned a win in the 16U age group, sandwiched with two losses in the 15U and 17U age groups.

• KHA G06 Red (KY) won, 4-0
• FC Evolution 05GC GLC (OH-N) won, 1-0
• KHA G04 Red (KY) won, 5-2

FC Evolution went on to split the series with Total Futbol Academy on Sunday, as the clubs each won a game and drew the other two games in a very competitive event weekend.

• TFA G05 Elite (OH-S) tied FC Evolution 05GC GLC (OH-N), 1-1
• TFA G06 Elite (OH-S) won, 4-0
• FC Evolution 04GW GLC (OH-N) won, 1-0
• TFA G03 Elite (OH-S) tied FC Evolution 03GW NL (OH-N), 1-1

Century United (PA-W) traveled to Empire United (NY-W) to play out the last of the weekend’s Girls Club vs. Club action. A couple of large victories were exchanged in the first two games, which was followed by a closely contested matchup in the third and final game between the two clubs I the 17U age group.

• Century V – Steel G2006 Blue (PA-W) won, 5-0
• Empire United Girls Elite 2005 (NY-W) won, 3-0
• Century V – Steel G2004 Fire (PA-W) won, 1-0

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.