Finalists - Warrior Classic

The boys started off with a dominant 4-0 victory over Warren County United. The next game featured a rematch of the state cup championship game as we faced Sycamore Arsenal Premier in the cross-over game. The game went to half 1-0 on a nice goal from Naoto. Sycamore was able to tie the game at 1-1. The boys bounced right back on a great goal from Lucky off a sweet pass from Ben. Naoto finished off the scoring with a nice volley to end the game 3-1. The 3rd game found us against WASA Eagles Wings. We switched things up and struggled to score. The game ended 2-1. The semis found us matched up with Metro FC. The boys put on another great performance and won 3-0 to advance to the finals. The finals found us matched up with Sycamore Arsenal Premier again. There was not much flow to the game as it was played on a small and narrow field. Both teams played very direct and Sycamore was able to capitalize on a loose ball in the box by scoring a very nice volley to go up 1-0 with 15 minutes remaining in the 2nd half. Sycamore almost went up 2-0, but Justin somehow made up ground to make a great tackle to keep the game 1-0. Sycamore weathered the storm the final 10 minutes including a break-away in the final seconds and came away with a 1-0 victory. 

Champions - OSYSA State Cup

The boys started off with a tough 1st round draw by playing the big and physical NCSL Eagles. The boys were a little sluggish coming off only a couple of days rest from OFC Nike Cup, but did well in dominating for a 5-0 win. The 2nd round brought a match-up against another big and physical team in Sycamore Arsenal – Hauter. The boys knocked the ball around well and held Sycamore to zero shots. We scored 2 late goals in the first half and that was how the game ended. Compliments to the Sycamore goalkeeper who made some very nice saves. The semis had us matched up with Olentangy Classics FC for a rematch of last years State Cup Championship. The first half ended 0-0 after we missed a number of quality scoring chances. The 2nd half opened with a nice goal from Andrew after Naoto penetrated deep into the attacking 3rd. The game looked to be in hand until a foul was committed from 35 yards just as we passed the 60 minute mark. The referee correctly let the game play out and an Olentangy defender hit an absolute rocket off the free kick that dipped just below the crossbar to send the game into overtime. We put a lot of pressure on Olentangy in the first 10 minutes of OT and were rewarded with a nice goal by Logan to go up 2-1. Again, as the seconds ticked off the clock in the 2nd overtime, the game looked to be in hand. Not so fast….Olentagy took advantage of a turnover deep in their end and countered quickly as we were unorganized. After 2 beautiful one-touch passes and a great left footed finish the game was tied with 20 seconds left in double overtime. The 2 goals came off the only 2 quality shots on goal the entire game as the defense played very well. Off to PK’s. Olentangy made their first 2 PK’s along with Bryan and Andrew as we were 2-2 after 2 kicks. Trent decided to take over the game and made 2 great saves in a row. Sandwiched in there was another PK made by Logan. We missed our 4th kick and it went to the 5th kicker where Ryan calmly placed the ball in the left corner to secure the win. The final had us matched up with the big and talented Sycamore Arsenal Premier. Sycamore was coming off a convincing 2-0 victory over Worthington United in the other semi. The first half was mainly controlled by Sycamore who was winning most of the midfield battles. The half ended 0-0 and we were able to have a quick “chat” before the 2nd half. The 2nd half represented some of best effort we have seen from the boys. The boys were relentless in their work rate the entire 30 minutes of the 2nd half and were rewarded with 3 goals. Andrew was able to get a head on a lose ball in the box to make the game 1-0 just ten minutes into the 2nd half. A short time later, John was able to score off a corner kick when the ball was fumbled into the goal. The game was put away when a bouncing ball in behind the defense was won by Logan as the goalkeeper met him in the air. Logan was able to get there first and flicked the ball into space where the ball awaited for an easy goal. The game finished 3-0. One thing to mention….after 8 tough tournament games in 3 weeks, the boys at the back have only allowed 2 goals. Congrats boys on your 2nd State Cup Championship!

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Champions - Ohio FC Nike Cup

This was a weekend we were really looking forward to as the U-12 Division of the Nike Cup was absolutely loaded with great teams. We started out with the always challenging Javanon. The boys dominated play in the first half, but had nothing to show for it as we went to half 0-0. We continued to press forward in the 2nd half and eventually ended the game with a 2-0 victory. The 2nd game was against Vardar and this was to win the division and advance. This was our first meeting with Vardar and we came away very impressed with their ability to knock the ball around. The first 15 minutes found Vardar controlling possession. The boys adjusted and we finally went up 1-0 on a PK after Ben was pulled down from behind on a breakaway. The game remained 1-0 at half. In the 2nd half, Trent made an amazing save to keep the game 1-0. After hitting the cross-bar, the post, and several close range looks, we finally put the game away with the 2nd PK of the game as Ben was once again taken down in the box. The game ended 2-0 for a much deserved victory. Sunday found us in the much anticipated semifinal game against Hoosier FC. The game showcased an extremely high standard of play. Again, we controlled much of the action, however, the game went to half 0-0. The 2nd half found Hoosier a little more dangerous with their athletic forwards on the counter attacks, but the defense did well to contain. With 15 minutes left, we finally got the goal we needed on a follow-up shot by Ryan after the Hoosier GK made a good save off one of Logan’s many runs down the left flank. That turned out to be enough as the game ended 1-0. The final found us playing a very tired Olentangy Classics FC. Olentangy was just coming off a shoot-out victory over Sycamore Arsenal Premier. We dominated possession in the first half and finally broke through with a goal from Naoto to go up 1-0 at the half. The 2nd half was much of the same, but we struggled to get the ball in the back of the net. Olentangy began to press the last 10 minutes and Trent was called on once again to make a great save to keep the game 1-0. Bryan finally put the game away with a late goal to end the game 2-0. It was a great weekend with the boys at the back; Justin, Andrew, John, Drew, Daniel, and Trent doing an amazing job to not allow a single goal all weekend against great competition.