U16 Girls soccer team - State Champions

The River Falls Wildcat U16 girls' traveling soccer team became 2009 State Champions at the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association (MYSA) Tournament.

Pictured:
Front row: Alix Ambur, Brenna Swanson, Maddy Durhman, Haley Hetchler, Alice Cranston
Middle Row: Roxie Fusilier, Mariah Kaiser, Sandra Meyer, Paige Meyer, Alison Conley, Hannah Tepp, Katie Berndt
Back Row: Asst. Coach Jack Hajewski, Coach Mark Osberghaus, Andrea Osberghaus, Chloe Hansen, Emma Huset, Coach Joe Fusilier

Back in early June, the Cats season had an uninspired start with a loss to Rochester. The team made progress during the season to finish in the middle of the East District pack with a 4-2-2 record.

River Falls' post season odyssey started on a muggy afternoon June 19th with the East District playoff game against New Richmond. The teams battled to a scoreless tie after 80 minutes of regulation play. 7 minutes into overtime midfielder Katie Berndt made an intelligent square pass in the box to forward Mariah Kaiser who sent a smashing strike into the back of the net. The team erupted and the magic carpet ride began.

Next up was the Regional Championship game against the Richfield Roadrunners in Shakopee. Kaiser scored the first goal in the 14th minute on a low strike to the corner. In the 32nd minute Alison Conley made a deep cross that striker Brenna Swanson 1 timed into the net. The final score was 2-0 and the girls punched their ticket to the big show at the Coon Rapids Soccer Complex.

First up in the State Tournament was the North District #1 team, North Metro Lightening (7-1-0). River Falls struck early in the 2nd minute when midfielder Roxie Fusilier tapped in a left footer off a soaring corner kick by Swanson. The Wildcat offense exploded in the second half when Conley and Kaiser each scored with energetic goal crashing following teammate's shots. Conley scored a second goal with a beautiful far post deflection.

Eden Prairie, West #1 (10-2-1) was up next. Eden Prairie is a scoring team, averaging over 3 goals per game. The Wildcat defense, with mid fielders Alice Cranston and Emma Huset, fullbacks Sandra Meyer, Chloe Hansen & Haley Hetchler and anchored by goal keeper Paige Meyer, was smothering. The match was scoreless until the 69th minute when Huset launched a bold shot from near the penalty arc that found the upper corner of the goal, earning the Cats a spot in the Championship match.

River Falls faced East District powerhouse Hastings, undefeated in league and post season play (8-0-2) in the championship. The game was scoreless until the 30th minute, when Swanson and Kaiser combined for a quick overlap and back pass to create space. Swanson then made a magnificent shot from outside the corner of the box that arched between the crossbar and the out stretched fingertips of the leaping goal keeper.

During the 2nd half the shadows grew long and lights came on as the sun dipped low. The game clock ticked off its measured pace, while on the field Hastings launched a series of furious and increasingly desperate attacks against the Cats goal. By the 75th minute play reached a frantic pace. With legs and lungs burning with fatigue and minds frazzled by stress, River Falls struggled for control. The large contingent of fans from both cities screamed encouragement. The Cats pulled their striker and packed the center with a 6th midfielder. After what seemed like an eternity the referee blew the whistle, the game ended, and the celebrations started.

The Cats were underdogs throughout the tournament and faced all first place teams with direct byes to state. Defense was a big factor in the team's success; not 1 goal was allowed in all 5 games of post season play.

"Each and every one of the girls contributed to our team's success." said Coach Joe Fusilier. "The magic of a team is achieving things none of us could do individually, and having fun doing it. This is a nice group of young ladies that have come together over the years and support each other in the good times and bad. They played their hearts out this summer and we're all very proud of them."

Group hug after the Cats victory against Eden Prairie (regulation plus 3 minutes stoppage time) catapulting them into the State Championship.