After multiple seasons of falling just short, Lou Fusz is the U16 Girls Academy national champion. The final came down to a last-minute goal, but Fusz’s explosive frontline came clutch one final time in a 2-1 defeat of STA.

The game began with several interesting battles across the field. On the wing, Lou Fusz star right back Ana Ramirez matched up with STA Captain and left back Catalina Mangone. In the attack, nationally ranked STA forward Olivia Robinson went toe-to-toe with No. 63 ranked Gracelynn Milam and her formidable center-back partner, Parker Dieck. And for the Lou Fusz front line, the speed of Gabrielle Thompson, Lauren Van Rhein, and Sofia Scego offered a dilemma no team could stop.

That St. Louis attack almost produced the game’s opening goal, but Van Rhein was just offside as she converted a cross from Scego. Besides that moment, neither team created much as Lou Fusz captain Olivia Kaiser repeatedly broke up play in the midfield.  For STA, it was Robinson standing tall as a one-woman attack with her ability to beat defenders and earn fouls.

The second half was a different story from the get-go as 90 seconds in, Lou Fusz midfielder Brenna West smashed home a rebounded clearance from just outside the eighteen. It was a vital goal in a game with few opportunities to score.

And that would have been the only goal if not for a late equalizer from Winslow Rowley, who latched onto a lofted through ball from Ella Dicostanzo and then struck a looping shot over the goalkeeper from the right wing. The game looked destined for extra time with just a few minutes left in regulation.

But Lou Fusz had other plans, particularly Van Rhein, as she blazed past the defense to latch on to a through ball, then squared across goal for Ariya Barton to slot past the keeper. It was heartbreak for STA and the moment of a lifetime for a team that worked diligently to return to the national stage time and time again.

Player of the Match: Lauren Van Rhein, Lou Fusz

Tournament MVP: Lauren Van Rhein, Lou Fusz

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