Team Chicago Academy-Bahia traveled to Phoenix, AZ for the prestigious SC Del Sol Presidents’ Day Tournament. In the U14 Premier Division Bahia finished in 3rd place with a 2-0-2 record just narrowly missing out on a spot in the final on goals-scored.

In Friday’s opening game Bahia defeated AZ Arsenal 1-0 on Allie Anderson’s great strike from 25 yards after a Natalie Massa free-kick.

On Saturday Bahia struggled to a 0-0 tie against Pride FC from Colorado in the 80+ degree heat. However, Bahia had several 100% chances which went begging, and this came back to haunt the team in the final group standings.

On Sunday Bahia needed to get a better result against Rio Rapids Riot from New Mexico than Pride FC got against AZ Arsenal to win the group and secure a spot in the Final. Unfortunately, Bahia missed out by the slimmest of margins as the 0-0 tie was 1 goal worse than Pride FC’s 1-1 tie with AZ Arsenal.

In the 3rd place game on Monday Bahia had its strongest performance and easily beat New Mexico Rush 3-0. Allie Anderson had another two bombs from distance as Bahia went up 2-0 at the half. Emma Crosswait assisted on both goals while Natalie Massa and Sarah Davies both assisted one goal.

In the second half Emma Crosswait finished off the Rush with a great goal from Natalie Massa and Sophia Majher’s link-up play. Abbie Brennan and Reagan Sanders combined for the 4 shutouts in Phoenix, and the defense of Erin McCarthy, Megan Olah, Sarah Davies, Maddie Monaco, Zaira Solis, and Jeff Pochyly stood tall in front of them. A special shoutout to Mia Marconi for her hustle to get back to make a crucial goal-line header clearance which preserved the clean sheet in the 3rd place game.