Team Chicago Academy-Botafogo got off to a flying start at the USYSA Regionals in Saginaw, MI with an emphatic 8-1 win over Kings Soccer Academy (KSA) from Kentucky.

KSA were just crowned Spring Season MRL Premier Division Champions, so it was a battle between the two MRL Premier Division Champions, but for most of the game there was only one team on the field. Ashley Handwork opened the scoring 13 minutes in when she took a pass from Zoey Goralski and beat 3 defenders from the halfway line before she calmly tucked the ball away. Meegan Johnston then made it 2-0 from Zoey Goralski and Ashley Handwork’s assists before Gianna Dal Pozzo beat 2 players and slammed the ball into the back of the net.

Up 3-0 just before halftime it was time for the Zoe Swift show to begin. Zoe got 4 of the final 5 Botafogo goals, and her first one came from a great throw by GK Megan Geldernick to Ashley Handwork who then found Swift. She got her second from a Hope D’Addario corner 15 minutes into the second half to make it 5-1, and then she made it 6-1 from a great toe-poke through-ball from Gianna Dal Pozzo. Molly Piech scored from a perfect Bryce Banuelos trough-ball before Swift finished the scoring from Jorie Clawson’s assist.

With the win Botafogo is in first place in the group as Omaha FC and Blast tied 0-0 in the other game. Botafogo will face Blast at Noon tomorrow.

Team Chicago Academy-Botafogo beat FC United 4-3 to claim the IYSA U17 State Cup championship. Bryce Banuelos got the first goal inside the opening 3 minutes, and Ashley Handwork bagged a brace in 15 minutes to put Botafogo up 3-0. FC United pulled one back before Meegan Johnston hit a screamer from 30 yards out into the upper 90 for the eventual game-winner just before halftime. Zoe Swift had 2 assists and Rachele Armand and Zoey Goralski also assisted.

With the win Botafogo secured a berth in the Regional Championships for a second time as it had already secure a spot by winning the Fall MRL Premier Division. Regionals will be held in Saginaw, MI June 22nd-27th and Botafogo has been grouped with the Omaha FC (Nebraska), Blast (Ohio South), and KSA (Kentucky).

Team Chicago Academy-Botafogo defeated NSA 4-1 to advance to the IYSA U17 State Cup Final against FC United who defeated FCX North in PKs. The final is played at 10am tomorrow Sunday 6/17 at Sportscore II in Rockford, IL.

Botafogo got on the scoreboard early when Gianna Dal Pozzo played a perfect through-ball to Zoe Swift who calmly tucked it away. Meegan Johnston made it 2-0 around the 30-minute mark, and Zoe Swift made it 3-0 just before the half from Molly Piech and Jillian Van Kampen. Ashley Handwork sealed the win with her header off a Hope D’Addario corner kick to make it 4-0 early into the 2nd half. NSA managed to pull one back with two minutes to go in the game.

Team Chicago Academy-Santos unfortunately lost its semi-final 3-1 in the U16 bracket. Kristen Brots got the goal for Santos.

Team Chicago Academy-Santos advanced to the U16 IYSA State Cup semi-final with two impressive wins this weekend in Rockford. On Saturday Midwest United was defeated 6-0 on goals by Caitlin Tabilog (2), Maddie Hulsman, Olivia Schmitt (2), and Heather Handwork. Courtney Keefer earned the shutout in goal.

Today Santos came back from being 2-0 down at half to beat Windy City Pride 3-2 in overtime after an inspired performance. Katie Ciesiulka halved the Windy City lead shortly into the 2nd half and Madi Harris tied the game with 3 minutes left. Kelsey Pruett got the game-winner 13 minutes into the first overtime from Abbey Mazur’s cross.

Santos will face Academy SC in the semi-final Saturday, June 16th at Noon in Rockford.

Team Chicago Academy-Botafogo advanced to the U17 IYSA State Cup semi-final after two convincing wins this weekend. Saturday the Strikers of Fox Valley were defeated 4-1 behind goals by Zoe Swift (2), Zoey Goralski, and Brooke Ksiazek.

Today Botafogo defeated Chicago Inter Homer Glen Blue 5-0 behind goals by Gianna Dal Pozzo, Meegan Johnston, Ashley Handwork, Hope D’Addario, and Jillian Van Kampen. Megan Geldernick and Kiley Dunning shared the shutout in goal.

Botafogo will face NSA in the semi-final Saturday, June 16th at 10am in Rockford.

Team Chicago Academy-Santos Co-Captain and midfielder Kristen Brots has accepted a great scholarship to continue her soccer career at Kent State University.

Kristen, who plays her prep soccer for Coach Julie Bergstrom at Waubonsie Valley H.S., will be part of Head Coach Rob Marinaro’s 2014 recruiting class. Kent State finished with a 12-8 record in the 2011 season.

Kristen is the first 2014 graduate from Team Chicago to commit.