Four St. Michael-Albertville United summer competitive soccer squads have made their way to the Minnesota Youth Soccer Assocication (MYSA) State Championships.
“It’s been a long season, and these teams have done exceptionally well in their playoff brackets to make it through to the finals,” said Roger Derham, coaching director for STMA United. “Good job to all involved.”
The STMA United U14 girls, coached by future boys’ varsity head coach Tomas Rodriguez, started the season 2-2, but then won out the rest of their schedule to win their division. They topped Eden Prairie 2-0, Minnetonka United 1-0 and MapleBrook 1-0 to earn their way into the championship rounds. Rodriguez’s team will move up to C1 level in U15 this fall.
Former STMA Knights’ star Emmy Johnson has returned to the area to coach the U15 girls’ team for STMA United. Her squad started 0-2, but went undefeated the rest of the way to win their league on goal differential, and will move up to C1 this fall at the U16 level. The girls beat WestTonka 5-0, Wayzata 3-0 and Minneapolis United 3-1 to earn their trip to state.
On the boys’ side, the U15 STMA United squad won every game but one, a scoreless draw. The team outscored their opponents 47-4 this season, and topped Edina 3-1 to earn its trip to state.
Finally, the U17 girls club, coached by Chas Billin, ended the season with a 3-5-2 record, but has turned it on at the right time. Winning its qualifying game 4-1, the girls took on top-seeded Waconia in the opening round of district play. The 1-1 game went to a shootout after extra time, and the STMA United squad moved to the second round. The girls suffered a setback against Eden Prairie in a 1-0 game, but took second place by winning the qualifying game 3-0 to earn a spot at state.