Waseca girls 12U team claims MYSA State Championship as youth programs celebrate impressive summer

With the continued growth and development of the Waseca Soccer Club, success at every level has followed with three of the teams representing Waseca qualifying to compete in the MYSA State Championship Tournaments, the 12U girls, 11U boys and 16U boys teams. While all three teams had their fair share of moments, it was the 12U girls team that put together a monstrous run, claiming the MYSA State Title.

The team, led by head coach Neil Johannsen with assistant coach Anne Johannsen and team manager Zach Jasper, entered the tournament with a record of 9-0-1 and went undefeated in group play, outscoring their opponents 10-1 to punch their ticket to the championship game. In the title match, the girls managed to hold off the East Select team from Duluth, securing the title with a 3-2 victory.

“Winning like this helps motivate more people to get involved and participate in the fun,” said Dan Groh of the Waseca Soccer Club. “Numbers continue to improve and allows us to form more teams which gives more kids opportunities to play.”

Groh, who also coached the 11U boys team to an undefeated 10-0 regular season along with assistant Mike Corchran. Facing some incredibly talented squads from a class above their normal competition, the boys didn’t advance out of pool play.

The 16U boys meanwhile, coached by Mike McQuery and Eli Nelson, ultimately claimed third place after falling to eventual champions Kimble 1-0 in the semifinals. A few weeks prior, the team participated in the North United Summer Invitational tournament, finishing first place.

The Waseca Soccer Club is now accepting applicants to the Fall Soccer program with the continued goal to grow and develop the soccer community in Waseca. Additional information can be discovered at Wasecasoccer.org.