Southern Indiana United's U-16 boys had a thrilling start to the season when coming out victorious in the Jackson Purchase Invitational in Mayfield, Kentucky last week.
Drew Starck's team got off to a flyer, winning 2-0 against Blue Fire (Mayfield, KY) with goals from Tyler Butler and Francisco Bravo. It then doubled its win count for the day with a 2-1 victory over Croatian Eagles Blue (Milwaukee, WI), courtesy of goals from Bravo and Brandon McLaughlin.
When SIU suffered a 5-0 defeat to a bigger and stronger Owensboro United outfit in its third game, it seemed like they were going to have to settle for second best in the tournament.
However, when the sides met in the championship decider, SIU put up a much improved performance, running out 4-2 winners.
In the first game against Owensboro, SIU found itself 2-0 down after five minutes and 4-0 down by the end of the half. In the championship decider, it got off to a much better start, taking an early lead with a Bravo goal, his third of the tournament.
Weston Schrank then extended SIU's lead with hard work and determination when he followed up a ball played through the middle.
Owensboro pulled one back with just 20 seconds of the first half remaining but Mitch Brinkworth helped SIU regain a two goal lead halfway through the second half when capitalizing on a ball played down the wing. He cut into the middle before firing one past a helpless Owensboro defense.
Owensboro pressed hard in an attempt to get back into the game but SIU kept its composure and stayed strong on the ball, while keeper Adam McDermont made a couple of fine saves.
Then, in the 62nd minute, Mitch Brinkworth found the back of the net again to seal the deal. Owensboro pulled one back with just two minutes left on the clock, but it was scant consolation.
"I was so proud of these guys all weekend," said coach Drew Starck. "Especially when our opponent (Owensboro) thought they were just going to roll over us on Sunday afternoon. We came out with an amazing amount of energy and heart. Any team that can lose 5-0 in the morning and come back to win that same day is a very determined team. These guys earned it."
SIU will now look forward to its spring campaign in Division 2 of the Kentucky Select Soccer League, where it will face opponents such as Lexington, Thoroughbreds, Southern Kentucy (SKY) and Madison United Flyers.
Above: Southern Indiana United U16s, who won the Jackson Purchase Invitational at Mayfield, Kentucky. Front row (from left): Francisco Bravo, Christian Grindrod, Anthony Scifres, Jon Rogers, Tyler Butler, Nathan Greenwood, Weston Schrank, Mitch Brinkworth. Back row: Matthew Steggeman, Denton White, Austin Grover, Danny Hartman, Adam McDermont, Matt Duncan, Sean Simpson, Brandon McLaughlin, Sean O'Connor, coach Drew Starck.
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