The U11 Team Chicago-Cyclones had a fantastic weekend in the NSR Gold Cup this past weekend finishing as runners-up.

The girls started off slowly with a disappointing loss to CSA 3-1 in their opening match. However, the Cyclones turned it around for their next 2 matches ripping thru Jogo Bonito 3-0, then destroying NSA 7-0. Both Lauren Sweda and Rachel Parrish were outstanding in goal for both matches along with an unbelievable defensive effort by Ryann Parrish, Brooke Miller, and Brooke “Cookie” Nelson.

Offensively, the Cyclones were unstoppable with combinations and 1v1’s followed by some great finishing. Sarah Epstein, Nikki Handwork, Emma Webb, Lily Espinoza, Emi Magno, and Krystal Diaz were sensational in the attacking 3rd. Megan McCarthy, Brenna Young, and Mikayla Lambert controlled the midfield and slotted some beautiful passes through the opponents’ back line.

On Championship day, Team Chicago and CSA would meet again in the final. It was a hard fought game by both teams. The Cyclones were able to hold CSA to one shot on goal during regulation time while the Cyclones created several opportunities, but no one could find the back of the net. Despite Team Chicago getting the better of the play the game headed into OT. The teams were exhausted mentally and physically, but the Cyclones gave up two early goals in OT resulting in a final score of CSA-TC 2-0.

Congrats on a great weekend!

Team Chicago Academy-Botafogo GK Megan Geldernick was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Megan Geldernick, a redshirt freshman goalkeeper on the Ohio State women’s soccer team, has been named Big Ten Freshman of the Week, the conference office announced Monday. The award is the first Big Ten award for a Buckeye since Nichelle Prince was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week Oct. 21 of last season.

Geldernick, from Aurora, Ill., tallied eight saves in a 1-0 shutout of No. 18 Duke Friday night before making another eight stops in a 1-0 defeat at No. 4 North Carolina Sunday. The 16 total stops were the second-most in the Big Ten through the first weekend of play and the eight saves made in each game marked the most for a Buckeye since Katie Baumgardner made eight saves in an NCAA third round match at Duke Nov. 20, 2011.

Team Chicago Academy-Cruzeiro winger Kerry Abello has been called up for the U17 Women’s National Team trip to South Korea August 25th-September 4th.

Congrats Kerry! We are so proud of you.

Below is the U.S. Soccer press release:

CHICAGO (Aug. 14, 2014) – U.S. Under-17 Women’s National Team head coach B.J. Snow has named 20 players for a trip to the Korea Republic from Aug. 25-Sept. 4 where the squad will play multiple matches against the host.

South Korea won the 2008 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup that was played in Trinidad & Tobago. Asia teams have won three of the four FIFA U-17 tournaments contested so far with Korea DPR winning the inaugural event in 2008 and Japan taking the title in 2014.

This will be the first international trip for this group of players at the U-17 level. The U-17s last gathered for a domestic training camp from June 15-22 in Chula Vista, California.

The U.S. roster represents 10 different states. There are six players from California, the most of any state. Colorado has three and no other state has more than two.

The age cut-off for the next U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2016, which is currently scheduled to be played in Jordan, is Jan. 1, 1999. Seventeen players on the roster are 1999s, with three born in 2000.

U.S. U-17 WNT Roster by Position:

GOALKEEPERS (2): Hilary Beall (West Coast FC; Laguna Beach, Calif.), Brooke Bollinger (Space Coast United Storm; Indialantic, Fla.)
DEFENDERS (5): Kerry Abello (Team Chicago; Aurora, Ill.), Joanna Harber (Eastside FC; Bellevue, Wash.), Brooke Redington (South Bay Force; Manhattan Beach, Calif.), Karina Rodriguez (So Cal Blues; Torrance, Calif.), Sydney Zandi (Penn Fusion; West Chester, Pa.)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Jaelin Howell (Real Colorado; Windsor, Colo.), Rachel Jones (Tophat SC; Lawrenceville, Ga.), Kiara Pickett (Eagles; Santa Barbara, Calif.), Izzy Rodriguez (Michigan Hawks; Canton, Mich.), Ashley Sanchez (So Cal Blues; Monrovia, Calif.), Taryn Torres (Solar Chelsea SC; Frisco, Texas), Kali Trevithick (Crossfire; Redmond, Wash.)
FORWARDS (6):Tess Boade (Colorado Rush; Castle Rock, Colo.), Rachel Dorwart (Penn Fusion; Mechanicsburg, Pa.), Civana Kuhlman (Colorado Rush; Littleton, Colo.), Tara McKeown (Eagles; Newbury, Calif.), Alexa Spaanstra (Michigan Hawks; Brighton, Mich.), Frankie Tagliaferri (PDA; Colt Neck, N.J.)

Team Chicago Academy-Internacional forward Sarah Laws has accepted a scholarship offer from Belmont University to continue her soccer career as part of Head Coach Heather Henson’s 2015 recruiting class. Sarah plays her prep soccer for Julie Bergstrom at Waubonsie Valley H.S.

The Belmont Bruins are part of the NCAA Division I Ohio Valley Conference. In conference play Sarah will battle against three former Team Chicago Academy players at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Jorie Clawson, Rachael Brots, and Kelsey Pruett.

The Sixth Installment of Internacional’s Danish experience:

Monday, August 4th:

Our day started out with, once again, the same breakfast we have had for the past 6 days. We had a slightly earlier start to the day because of a planned practice at 8:30 that morning. However, it was pouring down and to our relief, Phil announced cancellation of practice because he didn’t want us all to have to bring home wet clothes (which would have made the smell even more unbearable).

Soo… instead we all got ready for the day of shopping, walking around, and sightseeing in Sweden. Unfortunately, the weather was still not cooperating as it continued to rain all morning. So instead of heading straight to Sweden, we took a detour in Fields mall. After the train ride across the water, we all went shopping in Malmo, Sweden. There were a lot of stores that we recognized from the US and not as many souvenir shops as we thought there would be. The weather thankfully cleared up in the afternoon and after the shopping and walking around was done, we began our trek back to Denmark. Everyone was quiet and some were falling asleep on the train ride.

Once back at the hotel, we went to the Klubhus (Club House). Quincy and Keely found themselves playing multiple games of air hockey with three little Danish girls to pass the time while we were waiting for our dinners. After a long day of walking and traveling to another country, we all headed back to our rooms to pack up all our belongings for the next days travels back home.

Tuesday, August 5th:

For the final time, we had the same breakfast at the hotel. We piled all of our suitcases into Phil’s room before walking to his favorite bakery. Once we reached the bakery, we all tried some different Danish pastries and they were all incredibly scrumptious. Phil gave us his final speech of the trip to all of us as we ate our treats. The Brøndby team bus came to pick us up from the hotel and take us to the airport. We grabbed all our baggage and our trophy and said our goodbyes to Anna and Phil. Unfortunately,our flight was delayed due to mechanical issues for almost 2 hours. But going on great trips always includes some delays and problems and we were lucky enough to not encounter many. None the less, we all made it back safe and sound with exhausted bodies and memories that we know we won’t forget.

Overall, the last week or so has amounted to an incredible trip that we were all so lucky to experience. Although we were missing a few teammates back home (Emily, Sarah, Grace, Erin), the week was filled with team bonding and learning opportunities. A special thanks goes to everyone who helped make this happen, including our parents, Team Chicago as a whole, and the wonderful Phil Nielsen who survived a week living with 17 teenage girls… Or make that 17 wonderful women:)

By: Nikki and Shelby