Jesse Salazar’s Team Chicago Academy-Tigers moved into second place in the IWSL U16 AB South Division after two very good performances this past weekend.

One week after beating Plainfield Legends on their home field, the Tigers confirmed their previous victory by putting on a passing show in the first half leading to two goals. The first of which was by Rachel Schneider, her first of her season, and the second by Tracey McCoy from a very difficult angle. The second half was more tense, but the shutout, started by Chauntelle Johnson, was completed by Jillian Garbars in goal.

Sunday’s game was against Eclipse, who beat the Tigers twice at the beginning of the season during the NSR Gold Cup, once in group play and the other was for the championship. The game got off on the wrong foot when Eclipse scored a wide open header on a corner kick to go ahead 1-0 less than 15 minutes into the game. Despite the rough start, the Tiges kept their composure as they quickly showed how much they have improved during the season by continuing to pass and create chances from all levels of the pitch.

The score was leveled by Nicole Gapen (the second first time scorer of the weekend) off a corner. Before the end of the half the score was 3-1 with goals from Sabrina Georgeff, assisted by Marin McElroy, and Tracey McCoy, unassisted. With Eclipse pushing up to get back into the game, the Tigers’ last goal was a team effort. It started by Stepahnie Kulczycki’s well-timed tackle and outlet pass to Sabrina Georgeff. She quickly drew two defenders and beat them both with a through-ball giving Tracey McCoy a breakaway, who calmly beat an on-rushing goalie to put the game out of reach.

In goal, Chauntelle Johnson finished the the second half of an overall solid defensive performance that Jillian Garbars started. Their job was made easier all weekend by help from a versatile group of 7 defenders: Kristen Schneider, Kelly Shugh, Lindsay Van Blaricom, Rachel Pavlinec, Mady Aubuchon, Stephanie Kulczycki, and Rachel Schneider.

The weekend’s wins move the Tigers into 2nd place in their division, 6-4-2 on the season and 4-0-1 in their last 5 games.

It was another victorious day for Team Chicago Academy teams as Team Chicago Academy-Internacional beat WI Rush 5-2 to solidify its first place position in the U15 First Division, followed by Team Chicago Academy-Santos defeating LCU 4-1 in the U16 First Division to maintain its perfect record and move into first place, and finally Team Chicago Academy-Brasília defeated SLSG Metro 1-0 in U13 MRL qualification.

Internacional got a hat-trick from Kiley Czerwinski and goals by Abby Flynn and a stunning goal by Tati Espinosa to secure the win. Santos got a brace from Kaela Leskovar in the first half followed by a Kelsey Pruett goal and an AJ Jakuszewski PK in the second half. Assists by Olivia Schmitt 2, Katie Ciesiulka, Talise Romain, Heather Handwork, and Rachael Brots. Brasília got its goal from Lupe Anguiano from a Rachel Erdman cross. Megan Keefer earned the shutout in goal.

Team Chicago Academy-Internacional defeated KM United Blue 2-1 in U15 MRL First Division play extending its win-streak to three games and moving into first place. Sam O’Brien bagged the brace to secure the win.

Internacional faces WI Rush Blue in the final MRL game of the season tomorrow at 10am at Sportscore II.

Team Chicago Academy-Santos followed up with a convincing 4-0 win against WI Rush to maintain its perfect record in U16 MRL First Division play.

Kristen Brots and Heather Handwork each bagged a brace to secure the win. Kaela Leskovar provided a couple of assists, and Abbey Mazur pitched in with another assist. Courtney Keefer earned the shutout in goal with stellar defensive support from AJ Jakuszewski, Rachael Brots, Abbey Mazur, Talise Romain, Kelsey Pruett, and Madi Harris.

Santos faces LCU tomorrow at Noon at Sportscore II in Rockford.

Fall 2011 Team Picture

Team Chicago Academy-Vasco played a great game yesterday from start to finish to beat Campton United 2-0. The win moved them into first place in the IWSL AB-W Division with two league games left to play.

Jasmine Ruiz scored a great goal from 20 yards out in the first half to give Vasco the lead. With 10 minutes left to go in the game great mid field play led to Madie Sandberg’s game-winner.

The defense, lead by Molly Ohse, Caroline Cordes, Anna Sheen, and Shelby Adamchik shut down any chances that Campton had, and Jocelyn Lent earned the shutout in goal. It was a great overall team effort that led to the win.