WICHITA, Kan. — The Thorns North FC 07 Girls Academy soccer team won the U.S. Youth Soccer National President's Cup in the under-17 division on Tuesday, defeating Chicagoland United Premier, 2-1, in the final.
In the final, the Thorns scored in the first half on a long pass from Marisol Stosic (Boise High School) to Avery Leisen (Lewiston), and in the second half, Stosic scored on a penalty kick to extend the Thorns' lead to 2-0.
Chicagoland scored late in the second half.
In group play, the Thorns lost 2–1 to Chicagoland United Premier, with the only goal for the Thorns coming from Rasen.
On the second day, the Thorns drew with WL United of Pennsylvania, with Lasen scoring the Thorns' only goal.
In their final group game, the Thorns shut out Calcasieu Soccer Club of Louisiana, 2-0. Kennedy Hartzell (Lake City) and Rasen scored for the Thorns, while Liliana Brinkmeyer (Sandpoint) also had a goal to secure the shutout victory.
In the semifinals, the Thorns defeated Missouri's SLSG Elite Green in a shootout. A goal from Stosic gave the Thorns the lead, but the Missouri team scored a tying goal with 45 seconds left in the game.
In the shootout, Grace Hatch (Boise High School), Ava Grae (Sandpoint High School) and Lily Ball (Post Falls High School) each scored a goal, and the Thorns won 3-2 in the shootout to advance to the finals.
The Thorns won the U.S. Youth Soccer Far West Presidents Cup in Salt Lake City in June, earning a spot in the National Presidents Cup.
PHOTO BY PAM GROTHE The Thorns North FC 07 Girls Academy Soccer Team celebrates receiving the trophy after winning the girls' under-17 division at the US Youth Soccer National President's Cup in Wichita, Kansas.
Photo courtesy of Thorns North FC 07 Girls Academy Soccer Team celebrates after winning the Girls Under 17 Division at the US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup in Wichita, Kansas.