News

FC Milwaukee U16/17 Girls Win Disney Showcase; U15 Girls Finish 1-1-1
 Jan 05 2010 - CL

A mixed age-group FC Milwaukee team consisting of eight Under-16 players and seven Under-17 players won a championship title at the Disney Showcase in Orlando, FL on January 3 in the Copa flight, with a 3-0-1 record. The team, co-coached by Christian Lavers and Rob Lestina, outscored its opponents 12-3 over its four games, with wins against Gulf Coast United (MS), Sonesoccer Training Academy (NJ), Eden Prairie SC (MN), and a tie against Norcross 93 (GA) in the opening game.

"This year we offered the opportunity to the older girls players to participate in the Disney Showcase if they maintained a regular training program through the month of December" said Christian Lavers. "Because of the level of the tournament, we felt that it was important to bring only players that were consistently training -- even if they were from different teams. This group of players showed that this philosophy was right -- as the players quickly jelled with each other and played very well over the course of the event. The consistent training in December helped these players to showcase their abilities and play with sharpness that would otherwise have been missing."

Rob Lestina was impressed with the speed at which the players from the 2 teams became comfortable with each other. "The first game was awkward at times, as the girls adjusted to each other and felt the excitement of playing at the event. After the first game, however, the players very quickly became a "team" and showed that they could compete very well. It is always a great experience for players from different teams to get to know each other, and these types of events help bring the club's older girls teams closer. It was a great trip in all aspects -- the results, the recruiting exposure for the girls, and the friendships that were built."

"Winning a tournament championship is never easy, and it is a credit to these players that they were able to do so while never having played together before, and with more than half the team 'playing up,'" said Lavers. "The success of these players at Disney this year, combined with their success this year in the Elite Clubs National League and in WYSA State Cup, will help to insure that these players and others have the opportunity to play the best clubs and players in the country in the future at Disney and at other similar events. The individual development of the players at this event as they were forced out of their comfort zones, and the momentum generated by this success, should help these players and teams in their next ECNL event in Las Vegas in March."

The U15 Girls played 3 difficult games in the Predator Division going 1-1-1 on the weekend. In a difficult first game to Hershey (PA) the 15’s went down 1-0 on a set play. With 10 minutes remaining the 15’s received their life line in the form of a penalty kick. Unfortunately it was no converted. The team went on to lose 2-0. Coach Tony Wright felt a draw would have been the fair result. "That was the turning point, we were attacking and creating chance after chance. I felt, had we scored, we were in the drivers seat as we were looking the stronger of the two teams. We gave up a late goal while pushing forward at the end. The game was very even and we made a mistake on a defensive set play, I thought a draw would have been a fair result.”

In Game 2 the team played Brentwood (TN) and responded well after the game 1 loss. FCMN went up 1-0 when Lauren Knudsen tapped in a Sara Waters corner kick. Brentwood knotted the score only to be done in by a Holly Heckendorf volley. The game closed out 2-1 but could have been more. Both Ingrid Mortonson and Kate Brandser were snubbed by excellent saves from the Tennessee goalie.  "We finished our chances in this game,” said Coach Tony Wright. “We had missed several chances in game one that I felt we could have done better with - we talked about challenging the keeper on all shots and crosses- that is how we scored the first. The second was a great finish - Holly has the ability to hit the ball and in this case she let it fly.”

Game 3 would be a Midwest match-up as the team played the Michigan Rush. Under pressure for much of the first half the backline of Maddie Sweeney, Claire Tighe, Brenna Koeneke and Jackie Wandt played solid while the goalkeeping tandem of Michela Ongaro and Ginny Werba tended the goal with panache. Jen Eberhardy, Hannah Roth and Maddie Perlewitz competed for every ball in the midfield and then early in the 2nd half Gabby Perlewitz stole a ball from a Michigan defender at midfield and took several touches before chipping the ball over the retreating GK into the back of the net! The score nearly held up but with 2 minutes remaining Michigan added one of their own. The game ended 1-1. Coach Tony Wright was pleased with the weekend. "We competed in all three games and hopefully took some great learning moments from each game, at this time of the year it's great to be able to get outside and play quality games."