Team Chicago’s 11th Annual MLK Day College Showcase was a huge success with more than 100 players displaying their talents in front of 60+ college coaches. The coaches represented schools at all levels of the college game (NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA, and community colleges) and they came from as far away as Texas A&M-Texarkana.

Division I was well-represented by University of Illinois, University of Iowa, Illinois State University, Western Michigan University, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, Northern Illinois University, Loyola University, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Bowling Green State University, Northern Iowa University, and University of Toledo. And National Champion Grand Valley State University led the list of Division II schools in attendance.

We want to thank all the Team Chicago parents and coaches who volunteered their time to help make the event a huge success. A special thank you goes out to Jamie Boe who once again did a fantastic job organizing the event.

Team Chicago Academy-Nautico defender Emily Curtis has committed to Illinois Wesleyan University, where she will play for Head Coach David Barrett as a part of his 2014 freshman class.

The Titans compete in the NCAA Division III and CCIW Conference. Emily is finishing her 6th year at Team Chicago and will graduate from Benet Academy in June.

Team Chicago Academy-Internacional goalkeeper Hannah Parrish has accepted a scholarship offer to continue her soccer career at Baylor University. Hannah, who plays her prep soccer for Head Coach Joe Moreau at Neuqua Valley H.S., will be part of Baylor Head Coach Marci Jobson’s 2015 recruiting class.

The Baylor Bears finished the 2013 season with an 11-6-3 record and a 1-0 loss to West Virginia University in the BIG 12 Semi-final.

Team Chicago Academy-Botafogo and U.S. U-20 National Team Star Zoey Goralski claimed the NCAA Division I Championship with UCLA this past Sunday defeating Florida State 1-0 in overtime. This was Zoey’s second National Championship in less than 5 months as she was also a USYS U18 National Champion with Botafogo.

Two of Zoey’s UCLA teammates have strong ties to Team Chicago coaches. Megan Oyster, who got the championship-winning assist, starred for Joe Moreau at Neuqua Valley H.S. for four years, and played on the U.S. National ODP Team for Phil Nielsen at the 2011 World Cup in Germany.

And U-20 World Cup Champion Sarah Killion played for Matt Chura for several years when he was the Director of Coaching for Ft. Wayne Fever in Indiana.

Three Team Chicago Academy teams traveled to Raleigh, NC to participate in the prestigious CASL Elite Girls College Showcase this past weekend. All three teams did really well.

Team Chicago Academy-Santos won its U19 Elite Gray division with a perfect 3-0-0 record. Santos defeated Shattuck St. Mary’s (MN) 3-0 on Friday on goals by Meghan Lee and one Heather Handwork. On Saturday Santos defeated Creeks Krush (FL) 3-1 on goals by Olivia Schmitt, Rachael Brots, and Kristen Brots. Santos finished up Sunday with a 6-0 win over South Carolina United on Sara Stevens’ hat-trick and goals by Kristen Brots, Lilly Butler, and Katie Ciesiulka.

Team Chicago Academy-Internacional emerged victorious in its U17 Premier Elite Gray division with a 2-1-0 record. On Friday Internacional defeated Richmond Kickers (VA) 2-1 on goals by Sophia Moreau and Quincy Kellett. Saturday Internacional dropped its game against North Carolina Fusion 2-1 with Kiley Czerwinski netting the lone goal. On Sunday Internacional needed a win against Ohio Elite to clinch the division title, and in the best performance of the weekend they came away with a 3-1 win. Alena Sidwell opened the scoring, but Ohio Elite tied it up before Tati Espinoza and Sam O’Brien put the game away for Internacional.

Team Chicago Academy-Brasilia participated in its first elite college showcase and showed extremely well claiming the 2nd spot in the U15 Girls Premier White division. Brasilia opened with a 1-1 tie against Team Boca (FL) and then dropped the next game 2-0 to the North Carolina State Cup finalist Triangle United. Brasilia came back with its strongest performance of the weekend in an impressive 3-1 win agaist Match Fit Academy (NJ).

This upcoming weekend U18 Team Chicago Academy-Nautico will travel to Memphis, TN to participate in another major college showcase event the Adidas Germantown Invitational Tournament.