News and Announcements

Ava Hensley Commits to Eastern Illinois!

Posted by Team Chicago Academy at Mar 19, 2020 6:04AM PDT
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Team Chicago Academy-2002 Elite standout Ava Hensley has accepted a great scholarship offer to continue her academic and athletic career at Eastern Illinois University. Ava, who plays her prep soccer for Head Coach Jim Winslow at St. Francis High School, will be a member of Eastern Illinois Head Coach Jake Plant’s 2020 class.

The Panthers compete in the Ohio Valley Conference and are a member of the NCAA Division I.

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Team Chicago Academy-2002 Elite standout Alexa Orozco has accepted a great scholarship offer to continue her academic and athletic careers at Bellarmine University. Alexa, who plays her prep soccer for Head Coach Kristy Kane at Aurora Central Catholic High School, will be part of Bellarmine Head Coach Chris Tinius’ 2021 recruiting class.

The Knights are transitioning to the NCAA Division I level in the 2020-21 season as they become members of the Atlantic Sun Conference for the 2020-21.

Team Chicago Senior Night Celebration!

Posted by Team Chicago Academy at Mar 3, 2020 12:27PM PST
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Team Chicago is proud to celebrate the 18 players who have committed to continue their academic and athletic careers at the college level in the fall of 2020. Team Chicago Technical Director Dave Lovercheck and Girls Director Phil Nielsen, along with Team Chicago Academy-2001 Premier Head Coach Ed Leon, honored the following players in front of family, friends and the Team Chicago community. on Thursday, February 27, 2020:

Hannah Bradley-Leon, Illinois State University, DI

Haley Lewis, Grand Valley State University, DII

Nikki Coryell, Valpariaso University, DI

Payton Strausberger, Valpairaiso University, DI

Audrey Stephens, Indiana State University, DI

Kaitlynn Delveaux, Seattle University, DI

Abby Dellamorte, University of Illinois, Springfield, DII

Phoebe Hillery, University of Wisconsin Parkside, DII

Grace Setter, University of Illinois Chicago, DI

Giselle Najevas, Northern Illinois, DI

Mollie Valek, the University of Alabama in Huntsville, DII

Madison Frazer, Northern Illinois University, DI

Paige MacRitchie, Nova Southeastern University, DII

Abby Showalter, The College of Wooster, DIII

Sophia Granato, St. Ambrose, NAIA

Madison Grandys, University of Illinois, Springfield, DII

Paige Munar, Ball State University, DI

Emily Villasenor, Lewis University, DII

We are so proud of all of our seniors and can’t wait to watch you all perform at the next level. Great players and more importantly all great people!

To see more photos please visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/116841106480/posts/10156802717616481/?d=n

Team Chicago Success in Memphis!

Posted by Team Chicago Academy at Feb 14, 2020 9:50AM PST
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The Team Chicago Academy-2004 Premier and 2005 Premier teams traveled to Memphis, TN to participate in the SE College Showcase. Both teams had a great showing with the 2004 team finishing as finalists and the 2005 team crowned champions!

The Team Chicago Academy-2004 Premier team finished as Finalists and returned home with an undefeated 2-0-1 record coupled with a showcase weekend shutout! The 2004 Premier team opened the SE College showcase with a tough battle resulting in an 0-0 tie against Indiana’s Sporting Southern Surge team followed by a dominating 5-0 victory against Tennessee’s CSA Lady Lobos Rush Select team. Sunday morning’s match up was against Memphis’s own Futbol Memphis FC team which started with a back and forth battle in gusting winds. The team battled and strategically worked a beautifully timed overlap run to break the Memphis back line resulting in lovely finish to go up 1-0. The second half opened with a dominant period that led to a well-executed corner kick play which resulted in a Memphis hand-ball and the resulting penalty kick gave Team Chicago a 2-0 lead. However, the Team Chicago players were not satisfied as they continued to press the Memphis back line creating a turnover followed by a near post cross for a one-touch finish to go up 3-0. Coach Greg Frederick commented on the weekend by stating “This was another display of this team’s willingness to simply go out and compete! It truly was an awesome display of quality soccer rounded out by each player playing with great passion, patience and urgency that contributed to them reaching their goals. I’m so proud of this teams incredible travel performance, as they have now won the past three out of state tournaments in a row including St. Louis, Indy and now Memphis!”

The Team Chicago Academy-2005 Premier team returned from Memphis with Championship honors after a perfect 3-0 performance and pitching a showcase shutout! The 2005 Premier team opened the SE College showcase on Saturday morning with a bruising 3-0 victory over Missouri’s Real WC Monarchs 2005 team. A first half rebound goal in a gritty and physical match-up against Tennessee’s CSA Lady Lobos Rush Elite team was enough for a 1-0 victory in game two on Saturday. Sunday mornings match had championship rights on the line as two undefeated teams faced off, the 2005 Premier team facing a familiar Illinois rival, the Campton United 2005 USYS Red team. The first half opened with gusting winds in Campton’s favor, but Team Chicago fended off several early attacks and gained momentum by utilizing quick passing while maximizing the width of the field to effectively snuff out the wind advantage. The second half opened with a surge from the 2005 Premier team who wisely placed several through balls behind Campton’s defensive line along with beautiful far post cross onto a running one-touch finish. Campton then responded with a charge, but Team Chicago’s defensive line was prepared and effectively shut down their attack regaining the momentum. Team Chicago then dominated possession creating several set play opportunities that led to a perfectly placed corner kick resulting in a physical battle in the box to take a 2-0 lead. The remainder of the second half saw an energetic Team Chicago team that smiled and sailed onto victory. Coach Greg Frederick commented on the weekend by stating “This was a complete and efficient display of quality soccer! The team played with passion, patience and urgency coupled with incredible teamwork! Each player contributed by adding meaningful minutes in every game which resulted in us reaching our goals! I’m so proud of the teams performance and their display of camaraderie!”

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Team Chicago Academy-2003 Elite standout Brooke Miller recently represented Illinois and Region II with class at the National ODP Camp in Tampa, FL. Brooke was chosen as one of the top-20 2004 ODP players nationally after the Inter-Regional event in Boca Raton in November.

At the National ODP Camp the 20 2004 players were coached by Sue Ryan from Region I and Kirk Nelson from Region II and played three games against a DA team, an ECNL team, and finally against the 2003 National ODP team. Brooke’s team won all three games as she played center-back. In the third game against the 2003 National ODP team Brooke entered the game with her team down 2-0 and she helped stage a 3-goal come back to win the game 3-2 including a PK goal by Brooke.

Congrats on a great event Brooke.