Published: June 29, 2008 12:59 am            

KICK IT: Bruner, Sparks head for nationals

A record number of Southern Indiana players showed off their talent at this week’s U.S. Youth Region II Championships in Rockford, Ill.

They were part of teams from Javanon (nine), United 1996 (two) and Mockingbird (one), which represented Kentucky as the state’s Open Cup champions.

Some 210 teams and 4,000 players from 14 state associations were in on the action. Others involved came from Indiana, Ohio North/South, Michigan, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, North and South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Minnesota.

Heroes of the hour were Javanon’s U16s, a team which includes Jeffersonville’s Trevor Bruner and New Albany’s Keenan Sparks.

They became regional champions after a 3-1 victory against powerhouse Eclipse Select of Illinois in the final. They will now travel to play at the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships at Burns Park Soccer Complex in Little Rock, Ark., from July 22-27.

Javanon got off to a great start in the final when Brandon Causey put them up 1-0 after five minutes. Teammate Tyler Riggs doubled the lead on the half-hour mark before Eclipse pulled one back two minutes later.

However, a third from Will Vitalis in the second half after 72 minutes sealed the deal for the team’s first regional triumph - and the first for Javanon since 2006 when its U19s went all the way to national glory.

Coach Tim Chastonay said the team has been progressing all year and really started to peak at the right time.

“They have played their best soccer through State Cup and now Midwest Regionals,” he said. “If they continue to work hard over the next month, they will certainly make a solid showing in Little Rock.

“Trevor and Keenan both are part of a solid back four that has been stingy all season and does not give up many goals.”

Team manager Terri Bruner, parent of Trevor, said, “This is the eighth year this team has been together. Several have been together from Season 1 and that’s half of their lives. Loyalty, hard work and determination have led this team to where they are today — not to mention great coaching (by) Tim Chastonay and Derek Willis.”

Javanon made it to the final after finishing at the top of its bracket, beating Vardar West of Michigan 5-1 and PSA United (Ohio North) 5-2. A narrow loss in between to KCFC Strikers of Kansas 2-1 almost put an end to Javanon’s hopes. But it squeezed through thanks to a superior goal difference. Javanon then went on to beat Vardar Red of Michigan 3-1 for a place in the final.

Other Southern Indiana players to make it to the tournament (who we have featured previously) included Pierce Crawley, Jeffersonville (Javanon U13 boys); Matt Kelecy, Floyds Knobs and Daniel Wilburn, New Albany (Javanon U14 boys); Nathan Driggers, New Albany (Javanon U17 boys); Derek Webb, New Albany and T.J. Fox, Jeffersonville (United 1996 U19 boys); Kaitlin Robinett, New Albany (Mockingbird U16 girls); Chelsea Grover, Jeffersonville (Javanon U19 girls); Leah Mattingly, Floyds Knobs (Javanon U13 girls).

Contact Aidan Kelly at aidokaydo@gmail.com.

        

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