We had another triple-header in week two of MNUFC Academy action, as all three squads took on our Minnesota neighbors, Shattuck St. Mary’s, down in Faribault. The rivalry made for three exciting games, with both sides landing at least a punch or two before the final final whistle.
U18
0-2 Loss
The U18s dropped their first points of the season in a hard-fought 0-2 loss, made tougher by rainy conditions. Despite controlling possession for large portions of the first half, the Loons failed to cash in on any of the chances they created while on the front foot. Two misses from close range, followed by a shot clanging off the crossbar, kept the visiting MNUFC U18s off the scoresheet, while the hosts were content to sit back and absorb pressure.
The second half saw Shattuck St. Mary’s establish themselves in the match as the game opened up and allowed the home side to step forward and get on the ball. An early set piece at the top of the Loons’ box saw the Black and Blue go behind 1-0, before a red card in the back line put Head Coach Alex Morawiecki’s side down to 10 men. Another long-range set piece was misjudged by the Loons backline before the match concluded, giving St. Mary’s the two-goal cushion they were looking for and putting the game to bed.
Though it’s cliche, this was truly a tale of two halves. A dominant first half performance lacked the finishing touch the Loons needed, while a disappointing second half in a rivalry environment gave the home team a chance to rally and take all three points.
Despite the loss, several performances stood out to Coach Morawiecki. Ty Perkins broke up counterattacks in the middle of the park while connecting his team in possession. Issa Saidi didn’t find the back of the net but provided a constant threat in the box. In the back, Ramon Lujano-Salto Jr. made several big saves to keep his side in the match, adding some good distribution to get his team moving in the other direction.
U16
2-0 Win
Head Coach Jamie Carroll-Rolfe and the U16s made it two wins out of two with a 2-0 win this weekend following a week of practice that broke from the normal cadence.
“The players had a unique week leading up to the game, as they were participating in the USSF B course, aiding the candidates with their sessions,” Carroll-Rolfe said. “This could have contributed to the players not being as dominant as they were against Midwest United. However, the fact we did not play our best and still managed to push through with a win and clean sheet was very pleasing.”
A red card for Shattuck St. Mary’s gave the Loons more control in the game, giving space for them to finally score after applying pressure for large portions of the match. Much like last week, substitutes made a difference in this match, as each of the players added to the game made a positive impact of their own.
Standout performances from Sully Maynes, Tim Dennis, Keane Perkins and Lazar Angelovski powered the visitors to their victory. Maynes dominated across the back line, dealing with space behind him well and breaking up counterattacks with authority. His tempo set the tone for the rest of the team, and the defender even added a goal from a set piece. Dennis notched the other goal, and while Angelovski didn’t tally a score of his own, the midfielder was getting into the right positions to defend and add an attacking threat as needed.
U15
4-1 Win
The U15s ended the day with a bang, putting up a 4-1 scoreline to continue their winning ways in this young season. This was the first rivalry game for this group of players, and the emotion of the occasion was evident right away. Despite the heightened intensity, or perhaps because of it, the boys stepped up in a big way.
A set piece in the first half led to the Loons’ go-ahead goal, and while the hosts equalized before too long, a strike just before halftime restored the advantage. After some adjustments during the break, the Black and Blue started the second half quickly and in dominant fashion. Two more goals sealed the comfortable result, making it six points on the season for the youngest MNUFC Academy squad. Braces for both Collin Barnes and Julian Vasquez made the win even more special for the goal scorers, making it a match they won’t soon forget.
Head Coach Amin Qasim singled out the performances of Barnes, Everad Gordon, and Hector Cruz as the standouts from this match. On top of his two goals, Barnes’ decision-making and passing made the game easier for his teammates. Gordon provided a solid defensive presence in the first half, and grew into the game as a passing threat as time went on. Cruz’s ability to win the ball back helped to get the team forward in attacking moments, giving them a platform to build from.
Overall, it was another successful weekend for the academy. All three squads will be back in action this weekend as they take on the talented Chicago Fire academy at the National Sports Center on Saturday, September 21. These will be their final home matches until early November, so come on out if you want to catch the next generation of Loons in action this fall.
