SAGINAW, Mich. (June 26, 2012) –And then there were 28. More than 200 teams started the quest for a championship and Tuesday 28 teams played their way into the final matches at the US Youth Soccer Region II (Midwest) Championships in Saginaw, Mich. presented by National Guard. The winners of tomorrow’s games will qualify for the US Youth Soccer National Championships in Rock Hill, S.C., July 25-29, at Manchester Meadows. Teams displayed heart, effort and determination to earn a chance to lift the regional trophy.

Two defending US Youth Soccer Region II Champions, Under-15 Boys Chicago Magic and U-18 Boys Grand Rapids Crew Jrs, have the opportunity to win back-to-back titles tomorrow. A regional title will also propel Grand Rapids Crew Jrs to repeat as national championships.

It was a battle of crew affiliates in the first U-15 Boys semi, with Challengers Crew Jrs. Black (OH-N) taking on National League champ CUP Crew Jrs Gold 96/97 (OH-S). Lead by standout Luke Treadway, CUP Crew continued to win seemingly every game it plays and took a 2-0 lead into halftime. That lead would hold through the next 40 and CUP advanced to the regional title game.

Fellow National League champion Chicago Magic (IL) was victorious on semifinals day, as they outlasted Grand Rapids Crew Jrs. (MI) in a penalty shootout to advance to the championship match. Grand Rapids continued to play motivated by the no. 21 patch on its sleeve in honor of fallen teammate Christian Ouding, but weren’t able to convert scoring chances Tuesday against a solid Chicago Magic side. Chicago Magic and CUP Crew will meet in the final to decide a regional champion; however, since both teams have already qualified for the national championships in Rock Hill, S.C. via the National League, Grand Rapids and Challenge Crew Jrs. will also play Wednesday morning to determine the Region II representative at nationals.

In U-18 Girls action, Kolping Kicks SC Schmitt (MO) took early command in its semifinal match against SWISA Rush (IN). Jade Shinn put Kolping on top in just the 5^th minute. Emily Bollinger doubled the lead in the 18^th in what proved to be an insurance goal for Kolping. Many of the girls on this Kolping roster competed in the national championship final game in 2011 with St. Louis Scott Gallagher and are looking to improve on that performance this year.

Their opponent on finals day will be Cincinnati Soccer Alliance Elite (OH-S) who won its semifinal game over Internationals (OH-N) in convincing fashion. Led by a Sydney Lovelace double, her third and fourth goals of the week, Cincinnati moved on to the title game with a 5-1 victory.

2011 regional finalist Lou Fusz SC Gold (MO) scored an early goal as Robbie Adams netted an indirect free kick in the 18 in the 10^th minute. Galaxy 93/94 Blue (IL) would battle back and Josh Rosenbaum leveled the score ten minutes into half time, his first goal in the tournament. Rosenbaum wasn’t done scoring on the day, and he played the hero with a goal in the 88^th minute to send his team to the regional final.

Defending national champions Grand Rapids Crew Jrs (MI) faced a familiar foe as they met up with Waza FC 94 Black (MI) in the regional semifinal. Grand Rapids took the lead in the 31^st minute as Caleb Postlewait buried a PK. Adriel Neely would answer for Waza in the 69^th before Joe Sweet calmly slotted a through ball home to put Grand Rapids back on top in the 67^th. With less than 10 minutes to play, Alex Serwatka found the back of the net to once again pull Waza level and force overtime. With mere moments to play in the final overtime period, Luke Bestrom entered the game and made his presence felt, deflecting a clearance, running onto the loose ball and chipping the keeper to send Grand Rapids back to the regional title game.

Tuesday Scores:

Regional winners of the Under-14 through Under-19 age groups earn a berth to the 2012 US Youth Soccer National Championships July 25-29, at Manchester Meadows in Rock Hill, S.C.

The US Youth Soccer National Championships will consist of US Youth Soccer Regional Champions in the Under-14 through Under-19 Boys and Girls age groups as well as the US Youth Soccer National League qualifiers in the Under-15 through Under-17 Boys and Girls age groups to complete the field of 60 teams. 

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