Undefeated Kickers Win Portage Classic Tournament

The Carpathia Kickers U13 girls team just put an exclamation point on their undefeated spring season.

This past weekend, the girls claimed the championship at the Portage Classic Tournament in Portage, MI going 4-0 and winning the final game in a dramatic penalty kick shootout.  Winning the tournament was a big feat for the team, as they've played seven games in seven days. 

The Kickers defeated TKO 3-0 and Kalamazoo Crew 7-0 on Saturday, then CATS from Grand Rapids 4-1 Sunday morning before advancing to the finals.  Against Michigan Alliance in the championship, the match was scoreless after regulation and two 5-minute overtime bouts.

In the PK finale, the Kickers outscored the Alliance 3-1 and helped themselves to first-place trophies, hugs and high fives and Creamstone Creamery ice cream before the three hour drive home.

"I'm very proud of the girls," Carpathia Kickers head coach Stefano Moraccini said.  "They should be proud too.  There is one word that I've been preaching to the girls all season and that is 'united'."  I tell them we go into a game united, we stay united, we play united.  They have worked hard together and are learning to communicate more effectively and more positively."

Taking the word united to heart has worked for the Kickers and it all started back in November.

After a tough fall season, the team completed a winter of strong Saturday soccer.  They went 19-1 indoor at Ultimate Soccer and 8-0 on the 8v8 field at Liberty Park against U14 teams.

The Kickers took that momentum outside this spring and went 8-0 in league play and 2-1 in their state cup matches.  Their only loss was to the eventual state cup winners, the Hawks.

The championship team is comprised of nine Macomb Township residents, five are from Shelby Township and one from New Baltimore.

Team tryouts will take place from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19 at Bishop Gallagher Athletic Complex.