U12 Boys - Semi-Final vs. Lemont Raiders
The boys played a great match earning a 2-1 win to advance to the finals with goals in the 23rd and 47th minute. Logan Holevas, playing left wing, checked to the middle and placed a perfectly paced through ball to right wing Cam Kowalski as he on broke through the back line to put the boys up 1-0. Later Zack Dydo received a ball on the left, beat two defenders and calmly placed the ball in the lower ninety to put the boy up 2-0. The boys stayed organized defensively, conceding a goal late to a pressing Raiders team; however they kept their composure, winning 2-1 to advance to the finals.
U12 Boys - Final vs Fire Academy
The final proved to be a challenging physical match with two teams determined to take home the Cup. The Fire scored first on a beautiful goal on a through ball with a clinical finish. The boys responded with high pressure all over the pitch, making the game predictable, pushing the Fire into pockets and winning the ball back to regain possession. The boys equalized in the 24th minute with a goal from a dead ball restart rom 30 yards out on the left side of the pitch. Zach Dydo got inside of his defender near the 6 yard box and finished upper ninety with a full volley. The second half was back and forth with two very organized teams limiting quality scoring opportunities. In the 30th minute a deliberate hand ball earned the boys a penalty kick. Nolan Ehlers buried the ball in the back of the left side of the net with precision and power to put the boys up 2-1. The boys then held the Fire for three minutes of stoppage time to win their first State Cup Championship.