PONTIAC, Mich. – Standings are slowly being solidified for the US Youth Soccer National League Under-15 Boys as League play nears the end.

In their second day of play at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, Mich., a suburb of Detroit, the Grand Rapids Crew Juniors (MI) secured no less than second place in Under-15 Boys age group, guaranteeing them a trip the 2009 US Youth Soccer National Championships and the right to retain their slot in the League for the 2009-2010 season. With a win in their final National League game on Sunday, Crew could move into a first place and tie with the Baltimore Casa Mia Bays (MD).

Since the teams tied 1:1 in their early December National League match-up in Dallas, the tiebreaker for the Under-15 Boys National League crown will be decided on goal difference. The Bays are currently +13, while Crew is +7. Thus Crew will need to win by seven or more goals in Sunday’s finale against fourth place Waza FC 94 Black (MI).

Crew topped Sockers FC Chicago (IL) 3:0 in Saturday’s game, which earned Chas Rau the shutout in goal. Jason Stacy notched two first half Crew goals including a 25-yard left-footed free kick in the 35th minute and a 20-yard right-footed blast just before the first half whistle. Taylor Mazurek added a second half tally as the Crew won their fourth game of the season. Stacy is the second leading goal scorer in the Under-15 Boys age group.
 
In a battle between two Detroit, Mich., teams, the Michigan Jaguars held on for a 4:3 victory over Waza. The Jaguars jumped out to an early 2:0 lead with goals by John DeLeon and Paul Tinnion. Waza’s Nick Sobczynski pulled a goal back with a 26th minute before Chase Jabbori gave the Jaguars a 3:1 halftime lead. Adriel Neely’s goal in the 68th minute put the Jaguars up 4:1, followed by Jacob Sims and Justin Kane’s goals for Waza in the final six minutes of the match to close out the scoring.

National League Boys Under-15 action continues Sunday, March 22, at Ultimate Sports Arenas with games at 10:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. ET. For a complete schedule of games, visit the US Youth Soccer National League Center to get up-to-date standings and scores.

Friday Matches

In the opening game of Friday’s doubleheader, the Grand Rapids Crew Juniors (MI) moved into third place with a 3:1 win over the Michigan Jaguars (MI).
 
Jason Stacy tallied twice to lead the Crew to their third win of the campaign. Stacy scored in the 10th minute on solo effort, beating three defenders down the left side and slotting a shot on the near post. Alex Kozlowski evened the score with a Jaguars' goal in the last minute of the first half.
 
Stacy then scored the eventual game winner when he drilled a 20-yard free kick past the Jaguars’ keeper early in the second half. Caleb Postlewait added a penalty kick goal in the 65th minute to close out the scoring.
 
In the night cap, Waza FC 94 Black (MI) earned a hard-fought 3:2 win over Sockers FC Chicago (IL). Waza’s second win of the season moved the Michigan-based team into fourth place and kept alive their chances for a ticket to the 2009 US Youth Soccer National Championships.
 
Waza’s Jacob Flanigan opened the scoring with a goal in the 14th minute followed by a goal from teammate Cameron Roberts in the 52nd minute. Sockers FC’s Arman Arami cut the lead in half with a 59th minute score. Waza’s Ashwin Vaishnav tallied to extend the lead back to two before Sockers’ Damien Sampson’s 76th minute goal that finished the scoring.
 
The US Youth Soccer National League competition is for the nation's top teams in the Under-15, Under-16 and Under-17 Boys and Girls age groups, consisting of a total of eight teams per gender age group. The National League offers additional exposure to collegiate, professional and U.S. National Team coaches and offers top-notch competition. The top two teams in each age group earn a direct path to the US Youth Soccer National Championships, played this July 21-26 in Lancaster, Mass., and the top four teams retain their spots in the National League for the following season.

Saturday Results
US Youth Soccer National League Under-15 Boys Results
Waza FC 94 Black (MI) 3, Michigan Jaguars (MI)  4
Goal Scorers:Waza: Nick Sobczynski (26:00), Jacob Sims (75:00), Justin Kane (78:00)
Jaguars: John DeLeon (19:00), Paul Tinnion (24:00), Chase Jabbori (33:00), Ariel Neely (68:00)

Grand Rapids Crew Juniors-Bergsma (MI) 3, Sockers FC Chicago (IL) 0
Goal Scorers: Grand Rapids: Jason Stacy (35:00 and 40:00), Taylor Mazurek (52:00)

Friday Results
US Youth Soccer National League Under-15 Boys Results
Michigan Jaguars (MI) 1, Grand Rapids Crew Juniors-Bergsma (MI) 3
Goal Scorers: Michigan Jaguars: Alex Kozlowski (40:00)
Grand Rapids Crew: Jason Stacy (10:00) (54:00), Caleb Postelwait (65:00)

Sockers FC Chicago (IL) 2, Waza FC 94 Black (MI) 3
Goal Scorers: Sockers: Arman Armani (59:00), Damien Sampson (76:00)
Waza: Jacob Flanigan (14:00), Cameron Roberts (52:00), Ashwin Vaishnav (72:00)