APPLETON, Wis. (June 27, 2011) – Preliminary games complete at the 2011 US Youth Soccer Region II (Midwest Regional) Championships at USA Youth Sports Complex in Appleton and Southwest Park in De Pere. The field of 214 teams, from thirteen states, completed three days of preliminary play to narrow the field to 28 teams for tomorrow's semifinals.
 
All semifinals are scheduled to be played at the USA Youth Sports Complex. Regional champions will be crowned following final games on Wednesday, June 29 to see who will represent the Midwest at the 2011 US Youth Soccer National Championships this July in Phoenix, Ariz.
 
Seeking out future roster spots, over 140 college coaches have registered for the Region II Championships including members of U.S. Soccer. Year after year the coaches enjoy the level of play and the fact that the teams are playing for advancement in the National Championship Series.
 
The region is comprised of 14 US Youth Soccer State Associations, including host Wisconsin State Soccer Association. The other state associations represented are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio North, Ohio South and South Dakota.
 
Six defending regional champions have advanced to the semifinals after going 6-0 today, 14-2-2 on the week. A quick look at how the defending champs, listed first, faired today…
 
Girls
Under-14 – Michigan Hawks 97 (MI) v Red River Premier (ND), 4-0
Under-16 – JB Marine Wipke (MO) v Internationals (OH-N), 7-2
Under-17 – NSA Premier Fury (IL) v Mockingbird (KY), 3-0
Under-19 – Eclipse Select 91/92 (IL) v Dynamo 92 (IN), 3-1
 
Boys
Under-14 Sockers FC (IL) v Lexington FC (KY), 6-0
Under-17 Grand Rapids Crew Juniors (MI) v Team Ohio (OH-S), 4-2
 
Notes from a few of the Under-15 Girls games…
 
Sockers FC Chicago's Erin Bailey scored in the 66th minute against Toro Nuevo (NE) and the goal would hold for the 1-0. The Sockers were the only team in their age group to not allow a goal lead by keeper Madeline Boutros.
 
FC Milwaukee Nationals were down one early after Briana Steward scored in the 8th minute for Cleveland United Under-15 Girls. Steward's goal held until the 70th minute equalizer from Arke Ogunbowale for Milwaukee who leaves Appleton with four points in the standings.
 
Looking to take another step towards defending their regional title, Under-15 Girls, Michigan Hawks scored two in the second half to defeat Ohio Elite, 2-0. Leading the Hawks were goal scorers Megan Buckingham in the 44th minute and Alexis Warner in the 53rd minute.           
 
Carmel United Elite 96 (IN) picked up their first win of the tournament in the 4-0 defeat of Iowa City Alliance. Kendaie Carlson scored two in the win with goals in the 18th minute and 80th minute.    
 
Notes from a few of the Under-17 Boys games…
 
The Under-17 Boys semifinals are familiar opponents with three of the four to advance, Grand Rapids Crew, Lou Fusz and Javanon 94, also qualified for play in this season's US Youth Soccer National League.          
 
At the half, defending champs, Grand Rapids Crew Jrs (MI) were up 2-1 on Team Ohio (OH-S). The final whistle sounded and the match ended in favor Crew 4-2. Crew added two more in the second half from Jason Stacy (71' 88'). Trevin Pitroff cut the lead in half with a second Ohio goal in the 89th minute.
 
Lou Fusz Gold Popovic (MO) won today in the 3-1 decision against Fort Wayne Fever (IN). Tied at 1-1, Patrick Conroy gave Lou Fusz the lead in the 60th minute and teammate Drew Dempsey, scoring his second of the match, doubled the advantage in the 80th minute.
 
East Iowa United and Javanon 94 (KY) clashed in a 4-4 tie. For every Javanon goal, East Iowa had answered so it was no surprise when Danny Belza's goal in the 85th minute for Javanon was countered by Konnor Tranoris' two minutes later for the 4-4 tie.

Monday's Scores

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