Despite less than ideal weather and field conditions, the adidas Women’s Blue Chip Showcase Tournament kicked off Friday morning as planned. The Midwest saw a 30 degree temperature drop from the beginning of the week to Friday, but the frigid conditions did not stop the women from getting the first games of the showcase underway. The ladies also faced muddy field conditions due to an overnight rain on Thursday.

Bracket B in the U15 age group got their games rolling with a great matchup between Tennessee SC 16 Premier and Cleveland FC 97-98.

Playing into the strong wind in the first half, Tennessee SC was unable to produce many serious scoring threats against Cleveland FC’s strong back line and solid goalkeeper, Jordan Reynolds.

Reynolds was able to keep Cleveland within striking distance of Tennessee SC but went on to give up two goals in the 2-1 defeat for Cleveland FC. 

The U16 age group was packed with exciting matchups.

Bracket A saw an MRL matchup as Excalibur SC from Ohio North beat Classics Eagles FC Red by a score of 2-0.

Excalibur was lead by their quick and crafty forward Rachel Schirripa.Despite her small size, Schirripa was able to physically compete with Classics Eagle’s back line and put her team into a finishing position.

Despite sloppy field conditions, Javanon 97 and For Wayne Fever 97. were able to control the ball and displayed impressive poise going forward in their Bracket C showdown.

Javanon was able to take a 1-0 lead in the first half off of a corner kick that was finished by midfielder Allison Houk.

On the defensive end Javanon keeper Corrin Warlick was able to keep an impressive clean sheet, cleaning up multiple Fort Wayne Fever breakaways and making critical reaction saves.  Javanon went on to defeat the Fever 2-0.

One of the more entertaining games of the U17 age group saw West Virginia United Shox take on the ECNL side FC Wisconsin Eclipse.

Both sides were able to posses the ball and move forward, even into the gusting wind.

West Virigina United was able to take the lead when left side forward Amanda Saymon got onto the end of a through ball and slotted it far post past a diving FC Wisconsin Eclipse keeper.

WVU Shox keeper Erika Yohn did well against the tricky conditions and was able to quiet the skilled FC Wisconsin attack, sending her team to a 3-1 win.

Another matchup in the U17 age group saw Carmel United SC Premier take on one of the host teams, Kings Hammer Academy. 

Carmel United was able to control the pace of the game by keeping possession and playing the ball wide for a dangerous cross into the box.

Carmel United’s midfield was no match for Kings Hammer Academy as midfielder Anna Ford was able to physically dominate the middle.

A strong back line was able to keep Kings Hammer Academy out of the net and lead Carmel United to a 3-0 win.

As conditions dry up (and hopefully warm-up) play will continue at the adidas Women’s Blue Chip Showcase on Saturday.  The tournament will feature a few ECNL “showcase” games as well as many more MRL matchups.

Saturday will also feature women’s college exhibition spring games including a matchup between Ohio schools Xavier and Ohio University.