GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (May 25, 2021) — The Spring 2021 US Youth Soccer Great Lakes Conference continued to inch towards its conclusion. Despite only 13 games being played in the last window, the games had a huge bearing on determining division winners, teams getting promoted or relegated, and teams clinching automatic qualification for National League P.R.O. and the 2021 USYS Midwest Regional Championships.

Four of the remaining eight automatic qualifying slots for the 2021-22 National League P.R.O. were clinched, meaning 44 Great Lakes Conference teams can make plans to play in the inaugural season of National League P.R.O. based on their Spring 2021 performances.

Only eight divisions have yet to have first place confirmed, meaning the remaining 35 games will have a huge influence as teams eye promotion slots and possible berths in the 2021 USYS Midwest Regional Championships and 2021-22 season of National League P.R.O.

Some notes from the weekend’s Team vs. Team action:

• KHB G08 Elite (KY) missed its chance to win the 13U Girls Premier II Division, losing 3-0 to CUP 08G South I (OH-S), which means Beadling 2008 Girls East (PA-W) wins the division on the head-to-head tiebreaker over BSA Celtic G08 White (OH-S).
• GTFC Impact Girls 07 Premier (OH-N) secured first place in the 14U Girls Premier I Division with its 5-2 win over Cleveland Force 07G (OH-N), which clinches a spot at the 2021 USYS Midwest Regional Championships, in addition to the National League P.R.O. slot that was clinched earlier in the season.
• In a top-of-the-table clash in 14U Girls First Division Blue, FOSC G07 Elite (OH-S) tied Club Ohio 2007G Green 1 (OH-S), 2-2, meaning FOSC maintained its one-point lead over Club Ohio and guaranteed first place in the division.

Some notes from the weekend’s Girls Club vs. Club action:

• Empire United (NY-W) won two of its three games against FC Evolution (OH-N) on Saturday. Empire United’s win in the 17U Girls matchup temporarily lifted the team into first place in the standings before it dropped back to second place after Sunday’s action unfolded.
• Kings Hammer Academy (KY) won all three games against in-state rival Lexington FC. The club’s win in the 15U Girls match secured first place for KHA, while the 17U Girls win meant KHA leapfrogged Empire United into first place. The 15U and 17U KHA teams have now secured a spot at the 2021 USYS Midwest Regional Championships this summer.

What they’re saying:

Michael Albert, coach of GTFC Impact Girls 07 Premier (OH-N), who clinched the 14U Girls Premier I Division title, is thrilled on his team’s advancement to more regional and national competition.

“Our team has been nothing but excited after clinching the league title and earning the opportunity to go and compete at the 2021 USYS Midwest Regional Championships in June, as well as National League P.R.O. next winter,” Albert said. “They have done a fantastic job all year of competing against all the competition that has been put in front of them on game days, but it has been the focus and intensity at training that has really propelled them to the success they have had all year long.”

Albert’s team went 7-1-1 across its nine games in the Spring 2021 season of the Great Lakes Conference, scoring 34 goals and conceding only nine goals on its way to winning the division.

“The group is very happy with the work they’ve done so far but are still looking forward to accomplishing more goals they have set themselves at State Cup and the 2021 USYS Midwest Regional Championships,” Albert said.

The Great Lakes Conference is one of 13 Conferences under the USYS National League in the multi-state tier, and it consists of teams primarily from New York West, Pennsylvania West, West Virginia, Ohio North, Ohio South, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Kentucky.

To follow the Great Lakes Conference results and standings this weekend, click here.

Click here for more information on the Great Lakes Conference. For more information on all of the National League Conferences, the National League Showcase Series, and National League P.R.O., click here.