SAGINAW, Mich. (June 24, 2012) – Another day of preliminary games are complete at the 2012 US Youth Soccer Region II (Midwest) Championships presented by National Guard in Saginaw Township, Mich. This year’s tournament features three returning national champions and six defending regional champions. Additionally, four teams in the field have already qualified for the 2012 National Championships via the US Youth Soccer National League.

One defending regional champion, Under-14 Boys Chicago Magic (IL), notched an important win today as they beat OP Eagles Dublin (OH-S) 1-0. Fredi Ortega scored the lone goal on the day with a strike in the 55^th minute. After a draw on day one, Sunday’s win puts Magic atop Pool A with one day to go.

Also in Pool A, Carmel United 98 Elite (IN) matched Magic’s point total with a win of its own Sunday, 2-1 over Javanon 98 Black (KY). Andrew Kaskie started the scoring with a goal in the 15^th minute. Javanon’s Jonathan Huerta would level 10 minutes into the second half. Spencer Glass would reclaim the lead for Carmel United with less than two minutes to play in the game, with what proved to be the game winner.

North Shore United (WI) scored an early goal Sunday against Thunder Academy (MN). Andrew Edwards scored in just the third minute for North Shore. That lead would hold until Thunder Academy equalized in dramatic fashion just two minutes before the final whistle. Christian’s Deaconson goal in the 68^th minute ensured a point for each team in a 1-1 draw.

Sporting Kansas City Juniors (MO) earned its second win in as many days as they beat Millennium Heat (IN) 4-1. All four Sporting Kansas City goals came in the first 15 minutes of the second half, with Cole McLagan, Jacob Weaver, Dakota Karns and Trevor Cissell all finding the net. Clay Arnold scored for Millennium Heat.

In the U-17 Girls’ group, Michigan Hawks (MI) set itself up well for a semifinal berth with a win over ZYSA 95 (IN) by the score of 1-0. Samantha Thornton netted the decisive goal in the 70^th minute.

Javanon 95 Black (KY) claimed a 3-1 victory over CRSA Black (IA), led by a Mary Beth Gorham double. Taylor Borman also found the net for Javanon before Kayla Armstrong pulled one back for CRSA to finish the scoring.

Harambe Viati (MO) won its first game of the tournament with a convincing 4-0 win over Eden Prairie Showcase (MN). Kristen Clemens led the charge with two second half goals, with Kaitlyn Clark and Emmy Hanlon also joining the scoresheet.

Their day three opponent will be undefeated North Shore United (WI), who beat Internationals SC 94 (OH-N) 3-0 on Sunday. Angela Mann found the net in the 39^th and 61^st minutes, before Josee Stiever added a third on a strike from the top of the 18 in the 80^th. 

US Youth Soccer State Champions and select wildcards in the U-13 through U-19 Boys and Girls age groups from 14 state associations, including host Michigan State Youth Soccer Association, are participating in the event. The other state associations represented are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio North, Ohio South, South Dakota and Wisconsin

Sunday 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.

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