The Crew Soccer Academy made the 16-hour trek to Minnesota over the weekend to face the Minnesota Thunder and Shattuck St. Mary's. Both the U-16 and U-18 squads prevailed over the Thunder. The U-18s set the tone on Saturday with a 3-1 win following goals from Nicolas Russo, Daniel Allen and Andrew McKelvey. The U-16 side followed suit, beating the Thunder 3-2 behind goals from Silankonet Bayo, George Braima and William Bayemi.
On Sunday, the Academy wasn't as fortunate as both teams fell to Shattuck St. Mary's. A brace from Noah Hutchins and another goal from Georges Daoud weren't enough as the U-16 squad lost a 4-3 heartbreaker. The 18s were shutout in a 3-0 defeat.
U.S. Soccer announced its plans for the 10th anniversary of the Nike International Friendlies last week. Ben Swanson, Carter Richardson and the U.S. U-17 Men's National Team will host Brazil, Turkey, and Portugal November 28 - December 4 in Florida. The friendlies take place during U.S. Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase, which CSA will be attending.
The regular season in college soccer wrapped-up last week, followed by Monday's NCAA Tournament selection. Here is how a few Crew Youth alumni fared in their conference championships and where they will be playing in the tournament:
Akron Zips (17-1-2)This Week: 2-0 W vs. Bowling Green, 2-0 W vs. Northern Illinois -- WON MAC CHAMPIONSHIP
The top-ranked Zips set a new NCAA record by extending their conference unbeaten run to 47 matches while also securing Akron's ninth MAC Championship over the weekend. On Friday, CSA product Wil Trapp opened the scoring against in-state rival Bowling Green with a strike from distance. Less than two minutes later, fellow Crew Youth alum Thomas Schmitt tallied to put the Zips up 2-0 over the Falcons. In the MAC Championship game against Northern Illinois on Sunday, Eric Stevenson helped set-up Saad Abdul-Salaam's opening goal while Chad Barson and Andrew Souders anchored the back line to its 16th shutout of the season. The Zips recieved the fifth overall seed in Monday's NCAA tournament drawing and will face the winner of Niagara and Michigan on Sunday at 4:30 p.m.
Xavier Musketeers (13-2-5)This Week: 1-1 (3-2 PK) W vs. Dayton, 1-0 L vs. Saint Louis
Matt Walker supplied the lone goal in the Musketeers' 1-1 penalty shootout win against Dayton in their first match of the Atlantic-10 Tournament before Xavier was knocked out of the tourney by Saint Louis on Friday. Additionally, CSA product Nick Hagglund was named A-10 Defensive Player of the Year. Xavier kicks off NCAA Tournament play against Kentucky on Thursday and will play Indiana on Sunday if they advance.
Boston College Golden Eagles (8-5-5)This Week: 0-0 (3-1) L at Clemson
Holding Clemson scoreless for 120 minutes on Tuesday wasn't enough for senior goalkeeper Justin Luthy and the 24th-ranked Golden Eagles as Boston College was ousted from the ACC Tournament. Luthy and the Golden Eagles face crosstown rival Northeastern on Thursday and will play UConn if they win.
UCLA Bruins (13-2-3)This Week: 2-1 W vs. San Diego StateWON PAC-12 CHAMPIONSHIP
Matt Wiet helped the Bruins claim their fourth PAC-12 title in five years with Friday's 2-1 victory against San Diego State. The PAC-12 Champions received the sixth-overall seed and will play the winner of San Diego vs. Cal State Northridge on Sunday.
Other Crew Youth alumni playing in the tournament include:
Eric Osswald -- South Florida (vs. Florida Gulf Coast - Thursday, 7:00 p.m.)
Alex Obbey -- Louisville (vs. SMU/Winthrop - Sunday, 7:00 p.m.)
Andy Lubahn -- Wake Forest (vs. Elon/Coastal Carolina - Sunday, 5:00 p.m.)
Connor Klekota -- Notre Dame (vs. Cleveland St./Michigan St. - Sunday, 7:00 p.m.)
David Witkoff -- Georgetown (vs. UAB/Charlotte - Sunday 1:00 p.m.)
Luke Helmuth, Jack Thompson and Logan Thompson -- Messiah (DIII) – Sweet 16
Ryan Sabol and Austin Windsor -- Ohio Northern (DIII) – Sweet 16
Mackenzie Clapper -- Messiah (DIII Women)
