Lou Fusz (2011) and City SC (2010) Crowned GA Champions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Girls Academy Champions Cup wrapped up on Tuesday from Florida. The 2010 and 2011 championship games were the highlight of the day. The defending champions were in action in the 2011 age group while it was a Coast-to-Coast battle in the 2010 game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Girls Academy 2011 Championship </strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lou Fusz pulled off the back-to-back in the 2011 age group. [player_tooltip player_id='343770' first='Ava' last='Carter'] led the way with both goals in the 2-1 win over Indy Premier on Tuesday.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Indy Premier had the better chances in the scoreless first half. Zoey Montgomery hit crossbar on shot from distance. Isabel Moreno seemed to be the catalyst for the Indy Premier side, which looked dangerous through her passing, Olivia Jones' threatening skill at the No. 9, and Montgomery's activity on the wing.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, the Lou Fusz defense limited the chances to long range efforts. Lou Fusz's attack came alive in the second half with the wind at their back.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Charli Bartley used her pace to get onto the ball near the corner flag. She spun away from a defender and then played in a cross around the 12-yard-line. [player_tooltip player_id='343770' first='Ava' last='Carter'] took a controlled touch in the box and then finished the chance for the first goal.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Emerson Broshears equalized for Indy Premier on a header off a corner kick. The initial call on the field appeared to be that the ball did not cross the line, but the assistant referee ruled that it did cross and gave Indy Premier the goal after a slight delay.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lou Fusz would not be deterred in the quest for back-to-back titles. [player_tooltip player_id='343770' first='Ava' last='Carter'] scored the game-winner on a free kick from well outside of the box. The center midfielder's second goal of the day was easily her best. She hit a rocket that nearly ripped the net off the goal. It was a perfect strike from the dead ball situation.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lou Fusz shut down the Indy Premier attack for the rest of the game and secured the victory and the championship for the second year in a row. The collective defense of the squad was impressive against a talented dynamic attack. Most of Indy Premier's chances were from distance and comfortably handled by the Lou Fusz goalkeepers, [player_tooltip player_id='320263' first='Rosie' last='Kiely'] and Elena Helmsing.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='320254' first='Elin' last='Austin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='317679' first='Bailey' last='Warren'] were outstanding at center back on the day for Lou Fusz. [player_tooltip player_id='320262' first='Ava' last='Blatnik'] and Annabel Pezzani had game-changing moments at outside back. [player_tooltip player_id='342335' first='Kenzie' last='Nordike']'s name might not show up on the scoresheet for this one, but the long throw-in, all-heart talent was a decisive player for Lou Fusz. And star striker [player_tooltip player_id='320261' first='Kyann' last='Craig'] created a number of chances for her side with her superb play against a plethora of defenders.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Girls Academy 2010 Championship </strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='283295' first='City' last='SC'] GA White claimed the title in the 2010 age group with a 2-1 win over SJEB on Tuesday. The Southern California squad's free-flowing attack was on full display in Florida. They managed to score multiple goals in every game during the knock-out event.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='266740' first='Gracie' last='Lisak'] was the threat early on to grab the opener. The [program_tooltip program_id='283295' first='City' last='SC'] forward looked dangerous every time she was on the ball. She nearly sprang two goal-scoring chances in the opening stages of the game with her skill and speed.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was Giuliana Phung who scored the opening goal for [program_tooltip program_id='283295' first='City' last='SC'] in the first half. McKay Greek's service to the far post fell into Phung's path and she put home the change to give the California side the early advantage.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gresik was the launching point for the second goal as well, which came later in the first half. The midfielder quickly took a free kick that sent allowed [player_tooltip player_id='333488' first='Makenna' last='Mitchell'] to get past the SJEB defender and create a numbers advantage in the attack. Mitchell was taken down in the box to earn a penalty kick for her side.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lisak convented from the spot for two-goal advantage for [program_tooltip program_id='283295' first='City' last='SC'] heading into the half time break.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Herculean effort from the [program_tooltip program_id='283295' first='City' last='SC'] defense to maintain a shutout was ended late with a spectacular left-foot strike from Jackie Brownlee. The late tally was not enough for SJEB, as [program_tooltip program_id='283295' first='City' last='SC'] held on for the 2-1 victory in the championship game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->