From September 14-16, the FC Wisconsin – Madison U11, U12, and U15 teams competed in the Oregon Fall Fury Soccer tournament.  In a dominating weekend, each team took first place winning a total of 12 games with some great soccer and a lot of fun!

The U12’s kicked off their winning streak with a Friday Night game against Waunakee where they took an early lead with goals from Molly Armstrong, Lauren Witiinan, Eily Duffy, and two set piece goals by Payton Haugen.  The quality of play and passing that led to each of the goals in the run of play was great, as the players showed their continued improvement in understanding of time and space.  The momentum continued Sunday as the U12’s came out strong against the home team Oregon with goals from Cat Arnold and Ellie Staviski, again with a display of building from the back and patience in possession.  The final game started out very physical, but the girl’s competed hard to come out ahead 5-2 against Winona Euro FC.  Congratulations to the team on their second consecutive championship in the Oregon Fall Fury, but more importantly in their determination to think, problem-solve with the ball, and compete!  “I was really proud of how competitive the girls were on the field in this competition,” said FC Wisconsin – Madison Director Jacie Lyon.  “Each game they matched the physical battle of the opponent, setting a tone for how we wanted to compete in this tournament.  Once this was done, they could show the ideas and concepts we have been training in possession and understanding.  It was great to see.”

The U11’s started the tournament Saturday with a 5-0 win against Monona Grove Soccer Club with goals from Nora Balz, Addie Thomas, Tessa Bryan and Izzy Franz. The energy continued in the second game, despite a sweltering September heat, with a great win and a shut out against Verona Soccer Club thanks to goal keepers Ana Banner and Kylie Lundgren.  Sunday was yet another great day for this group with a 2-0 win against Waunakee with goals from Connie Watson and Addie Thomas.  The final game was against the home team Oregon who came out tough, earning a a penalty kick midway through first half that was denied by FC Wisconsin goal keeper Kylie Lundgren.  Kendall Scadden, Emersyn Simon, and Alayna Gleeson all battled hard in the back line to keep the score tied 0-0 at half.  Eager to take home first place, the U11’s came out with lots of intensity to start the second half where Kylie Lundgren came out of goal and helped the 11’s take the lead with the first goal of the game! Nora Balz added another goal to make it a 2-0 win against Oregon.

“Obviously the results were great, but I thought the best thing about the weekend was the competitiveness the team showed,” said coach Drew Watson.  “In possession they really worked to move the ball and attack quickly, with Addie Thomas, Addie Koehler, and Tessa Bryan up front and Lexi Hanzel, Kylie Lundgren, Brylee Bordwell, Riley Holbrook, and Madelyn Girga working hard out wide.  Izzy Frantz, Nora Balz, Ella Molnar, and Connie Watson were terrific in the middle of midfield, winning the ball and spreading it around the field.  Emersyn Simon, Kendall Scadden, Alayna Gleeson and Ana Ballen anchored a stingy defense in front of Riley Holbrook, Kylie Lundgren, Ana Ballen and Madely Girga sharing the responsibility in goal.”

“Despite often being matched up with bigger, stronger, very physical opponents, the girls showed tremendous commitment to defend as a group and fight to win the ball back,” said coach Chrissy Watson.  “This ultimately resulted in lots of goals from several players and no goals against on the weekend. It was really enjoyable to see how eager this group is to learn and adopt our club playing style, and to demonstrate this growth after only a month of the season.”

In their second tournament of the year, the U15’s came out with a tenacious mentality ready to show their presence in Madison.  Early Saturday morning against home team Oregon, Tiana Johnson came out strong scoring 3 goals in the first half.  Courtney Schmidt, Taylor Swalve, and Kate Aman-Lavicky each added another goal to make it a comfortable 6-0 win.  The goals kept coming in the second game against Sauk Prairie, as center backs Sarah Bekx and Emily Wallace were able to read the high line they faced, with each getting assists by playing a ball over the top to forwards Tiana Johnson and Courtney Schmidt.

On Sunday the U15’s faced Waunakee and found themselves in a 1-0 deficit halfway through the first half. Tiana Johnson came up big again with a courageous headed goal to tie the game 1-1. In the second half, the U15’s found the winner after a quick combination play between Taylor Swalve and Lauren Delaney to finish the game 2-1.  The final game proved to be a tough game to find the back of the net, with multiple shots from Abby Meyers, Taylor Swalve, Shannon Watson, Jasmine Luck, Allison Prough, and Megan Merlet all denied by the Regents Soccer Club goal keeper. Late in the second half the 15’s were finally able to find the back of the net and were rewarded for their dominating possession.

In the final, the backline of Sarah Bekx, Emily Wallace, Sotera Boado, and Megan Merlet all played the full 70 minutes to help give goalkeeper Ellie Merrigiolli her third shutout of the weekend.

“The girls played some teams with very different styles this tournament and adjusted each game,” said Jacie Lyon.  “It was really encouraging to see the girls take accountability for solving tactical problems on the field as they went into each game. Not only were they problem solving, but they also dominated with a physical presence on every field they stepped out on to.”

Congratulations to all the FC Wisconsin – Madison teams on a great weekend!