Team Chicago Academy-Botafogo completed a three-peat as USYSA Region II Champions with a 2-0 win over OP Eclipse in the final. Zoe Swift got the eventual game-winner from Gianna Dal Pozzo’s pass, and Liz Bartels got the insurance goal from Zoe Swift and Rose Lavelle. Megan Geldernick earned her 3rd shutout of Regionals in goal.

On its way to the final, Botafogo defeated Appleton Goalgetters 7-0, Javanon 5-1, Iowa Alliance 3-1, and Carmel United 4-0 in the semi-final. Ashley Handwork won the Golden Boot at the event with 6 goals.

Botafogo will now head to Nationals in Germantown, MD July 21st-26th to defend its national title from 2013.

Team Chicago Academy-Cruzeiro finished tied for 2nd in the U14 “Group of Death” at Regionals. Campton United was able to avenge its 3-1 loss to Cruzeiro from the State Cup semi-final to win the group and advance to the semi-final. Cruzeiro finished out an amazing 2013-14 campaign with a 23-2-5 record in competitive matches, an MRL Premier I Division Championship after going 7-0-0, a IYSA State Cup title, and qualification for the 2014-15 USYSA National League.

Congrats to both teams!

Team Chicago Lightning put the finishing touches on an unblemished record Saturday with a convincing 6-0 victory over the Chicago Dolphins. Behind a brace apiece from Ian Laird and Ryan Mauder, Lightning completed their perfect spring season in NISL, capturing the U9 Platinum South title with an 8-0 record.

It was a truly dominating season for Lightning who outscored their opponents 29-6 during the spring session. It also serves as the highwater mark for a team that has improved steadily each season. Most of the boys have risen through the ranks of Team Chicago’s Pro Academy and have played together the last three years.

The offensive surge this season was led by forwards Ryan Mauder, Logan Houck, and Sam Nichols. Driving the engine of the team through midfield play were Nik Juarez, Alex Stadnyk, Luke Macaluso, Ian Laird and Alex Das. Defense has been the hallmark of the team over recent seasons and anchoring that defense was the duo of Derek Sisbarro and Will Bakosh. Congratulations to the boys and to coach Andrew For a remarkable year.

Team Chicago Academy-Cruzeiro and Team Chicago Academy-Botafogo are headed to the USYSA Region II Championships in Beavercreek, OH this weekend. The runs Saturday 6/20 through Wednesday 6/25 with round-robin play the first three days and semi-finals on 6/24 and finals on 6/25.

Cruzeiro is competing in the U14 Girls age group and will face Ohio South State Cup Champion Kings Hammer on Saturday, Campton United Sunday, and Wisconsin State Cup Champion Waukesha SC on Monday.

Botafogo is competing in the U19 Girls age group, and will face Appleton Goal-Getters from Wisconsin on Saturday, Javanon from Kentucky on Sunday, and Sporting Alliance from Iowa on Monday.

We wish both teams the best of luck!