SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (June 21, 2009) – Temperatures rose as the best of the Midwest took the fields in the final day of preliminary play at the 2009 US Youth Soccer Region II (Midwest) Championships at Yankton Trails Park in Sioux falls, South Dakota.  Teams from thirteen states learned who would advance to tomorrow's semifinals and have a chance to represent the Midwest at the 2009 US Youth Soccer National Championships this July, 21-26, in Massachusetts.

A look at how the defending 2008 US Youth Soccer Region II Champions, listed first, faired on day two of preliminary play…

Girls
U-14G (IN) Carmel United Academy v (WI) FC Milwaukee Blue, 1-2
U-16G (KS) *KCFC Intensity v (IN) FC Pride Elite, 4-0
U-17G (IL) *Eclipse Select 91-92 v (OH-S) CUP Crew Jrs, 3-0
U-18G (IL) *Eclipse Select 90-91 v (MO) St. Louis Scott Gallagher, 3-1
U-19G (IL) *Eclipse Select 89-90 v (KY) Javanon 90,

Boys
U-15B (MI) *Grand Rapids Crew Jrs v Chicago Fire Jrs, 1-1
U-16B (IL) Chicago Fire Jrs. Red v (KS) Kansas City Wizards Jrs, 0-1
U-17B (KY) *Javanon SC 92 v (OH-S) Eagles Blue, 1-0
U-18B (OH-N) *Everest SC v (IN) Fort Wayne Fever, 1-1
*Advance to semifinals

Notes from a few of today's games…

Under-15 Boys Grand Rapids Crew Juniors from Michigan have already punched their ticket to the 2009 National Championships via the US Youth Soccer national league, but today the team showed its want for more.  Jason Stacey centered a streaking Trevor Osburn who touched the ball in to give the Crew a 1-0 advantage in the 19^th minute against Chicago Fire Jrs.  As time neared expiration, Chicago's Greg Healy hit the equalizer in the 75^th minute and the score would end in a 1-1 draw. 

Dakota United faced Minnesota Thunder today in Under-15 Boys play. Klenton Stockman-Willis of Minnesota Thunder scored two goals in the first half putting Dakota United on their heels. The Thunder rolled in the second half adding two more for the 4-0 win.

Wisconsin's Elm Grove Premier challenged St. Louis Scott Gallagher Under-15 Boys, which added to the slew of games caught in tight competition today. The scoreboard remained empty until Aris Nukic of Scott Gallagher tallied in the 63^rd minute, which handed his Gallagher side the 1-0 win.

Once again, a pro-Sioux Falls contingency came out to the Under-15 Boys Dakota Gold En Fuego contest with Blast FC of Ohio South. Despite the supportive sideline, En Fuego's defense wasn't able hold back the Blast who netted five goals early and took the 5-0 win. 

Wisconsin's MYSC Blue played their Great Lake neighbors the Michigan Hawks in the Under-16 Girls.  The Hawks' Alexandra Heffron struck first in the 30^th minute and teammate Kirsten Evans added another in the 60^th minute for the 2-0 win. 

St. Louis Scott Gallagher entered today's Under-16 Girls match in a coveted position, as Gallagher controlled their own destiny against Rushmore Gold of South Dakota.  Both teams would look for scoring chances but little was found in the scoreless tie. 

KCFC Intensity's Under-16 Girls looked to maintain their current path in defense of the regional title against Indiana's FC Pride Elite.  KCFC pressured early and the tactic paid off with three goals in three minutes, two from Molly Rappold in the 6^th and 7^th minutes.  Kaitlyn Davis added another in the 49^th for the 4-0 win.

In other Under-16 Girls play, Michigan's Gators looked to continue their winning ways today against Iowa's Ankeny. After two goals in the first half, Angela Vultaggio doubled the Gator advantage in the 45^th and 60^th minutes.  This win knotted the Gators and KCFC Intensity and kicks from the mark would determine who advanced. 

In the shootout, tied at two goals each, Caroline Stanley saved the Gators third kick and carried KCFC on to the semis after the 5-4 PK result.

Today' scores…

Regional winners of the Under-14 through Under-19 age groups earn a berth to the 2009 US Youth Soccer National Championships to be played July 21-26, at Citizens Bank Fields at Progin Park in Lancaster, Mass.

The James P. McGuire Cup is the oldest trophy in youth sport dating back to 1935 with the inaugural youth championships. The Under-19 Boys age group as the National Champion will hoist the McGuire Cup. This is the 74th anniversary of the storied cup.

Daily reports and complete results from the tournament will be available on http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org. Keep up to the minute with US Youth Soccer National Championship Series on Twitter.

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About the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series – The US Youth Soccer National Championship Series provides more than 10,000 teams from US Youth Soccer's 55 State Associations the opportunity to showcase their abilities against the best in the nation while emphasizing teamwork, discipline and fair play. The yearlong competition begins with over 185,000 players in the US Youth Soccer State Championships.  These champions and selected wildcard teams, through US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues, advance to compete in one of four the US Youth Soccer Regional Championships. Champions (U-14 through U-19) from each regional event advance to the US Youth Soccer National Championships.  The Under-15 through 17 Boys and Girls age groups have two teams representative of the US Youth Soccer National League, in which the top two teams in each gender age group earn a direct path to the national championships. Overall the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series provides the nation's top collegiate coaches with the premier stage to identify and scout the most coveted players in the country.

Media Request: When referring to the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, the most prestigious event in youth sports, please refer to the event as US Youth Soccer National Championship Series on first reference and National Championship Series on anything thereafter. Never refer to as NCS or USYS NCS. We appreciate your cooperation.

About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer) – US Youth Soccer - "The Game for ALL Kids!^®" is the largest youth sports organization in the country and largest member of the United States Soccer Federation, the governing body of soccer in the United States. US Youth Soccer registers more than 3 million players annually, ages 5 to 19, and over 900,000 administrators, coaches and volunteers in 55 member State Associations. US Youth Soccer programs provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game. For more information, visit www.USYouthSoccer.org.

Media Request: When referring to the United States Youth Soccer Association, the largest youth sports organization in the United States, please refer to the association only as US Youth Soccer, and never as USYS or USYSA. We appreciate your cooperation.