Lakota United Soccer Club - Lynx

LUSC Premier (LP) began the defense of their ACC championship with a 2-0 win over Northern Kentucky United 95 Red.  Although they struggled at times in their first game in the 11v11 format, LP ran out as comfortable winners.  In the first half the NKU goalkeeper saved a fierce Lauren Hoover shot, but a determined Heather McNutt out jumped an NKU defender to head home the rebound.  At the start of the second half Cailyn Wachtel released Katie Mueller on the left wing and Mueller lobbed the ball over the goal keeper from a tight angle for the second goal.  Towards the end of the game LP almost added a third when Hoover hit the post on a break away.

The heat of the afternoon affected both teams in the second game with neither LP or Knoxville Outlaws creating any clear scoring opportunities in the first half.  However, moving Lauren Hoover from defense to striker at half time paid immediate dividends as she raced onto a through ball from Natalie Murray to put LP ahead.  Later in the second half a long range shot from Claire Webb appearted to pose little threat.  However, the Knoxville goalkeeper misplayed the ball and Crystal Rains showed the value never quitting on a play by tapping home the rebound.  LP should have added third near the end of the game when Mo Combs has flattened in the penalty area, but Claire Webb put the spot  kick wide.  All-in-all a good performance and another 2-0 victory.

 Needing a win over Beavercreek Celtics to reach the final LP started brightly, but as the first half wore on they surrendered the midfield and allowed the Celtics to control the game.  With Celtics seemingly winning every lose ball in the middle they took a deserved 2-0 lead.  It wasn't until the final 10 minutes that LP played with the passion required to defend their ACC title.  Katie Mueller deflected a Heather McNutt cross past the keeper to make the score 2-1 and then everyone except the referee thought that Lauren Heger was pushed down in the penalty area.  However, LP learned that 10 minutes maximum effort was not enough against the committed Celtics.

Lakota Premier faced FC Phoenix from Columbus in the 3rd place play off.  Lauren Heger gave the Phoenix defense fits on the right wing and it wasn't long before she was fouled 5 yards outside the penalty area.  Lauren Hoover stepped up to place the free kick into the top corner and give LP the lead.  Heger set up the second goal too, after playing a give and go with Lindsey Kelly she raced to the bye line and pulled back a perfect cross for Alison Dicke to blast home from short range.  The 2-0 advantage looked comfortable until the last few minutes when LP appeared to wilt in the heat.  Phoenix got behind the LP defense to pull a goal back.  Then in the dying seconds the LP defense was burnt on another through ball, but goal keeper Rachel Gary bravely attacked the Phoenix forward which led to a big collision and the ball trickling inches wide.

LUSC Premier started the FC Pride Cup with a very poor performance against St Louis SC.  After falling two goals behind a Katie Mueller goal appeared to put LP back in the game.  However, a goal 10 seconds into the second half triggered a disappointing half and a 6-1 defeat.

The LUSC Premier vs Michigan Rush Nike game was a to and fro affair, with numerous lead changes.  Goals from Lauren Hoover and Claire Webb made the half time score 2-2.  After falling behind 3-2 in the second half, Katie Mueller performed a dazzling run down the left wing and sent over a perfect cross for Alison Dicke to tie the score.  Moments later Mueller made an even better run and capped it with a thunderous shot to give LP the lead.  Unfortunately, LP was unable to hold the lead, giving up a goal with 2 minutes to go and making the score 4-4.

In the consolation game against Team Elmhurst Select, Lakota Premier were unable to convert a clear advantage in possession into goals.  Lauren Heger gave LP an early lead with a long range free kick.  Heather McNutt scored after the break in the 2-0 victory.

Storms and heavy spring rain denied the Lynx the opportunity to play some of the best teams from the South as the adidas Brentwood Invitational was cancelled.