Thunder finish with win at nationals

WAUKEGAN, Ill. - Timmy Mueller of Post Falls scored all four goals as the Idaho Thunder under-17 boys finished up play in the U.S. Club Soccer National Cup XI Finals on a positive note, whipping the Ohio Elite Academy 4-1 on Sunday at the Waukegan Sports Complex outside Chicago.

"Every once in a while, Timmy plays out of his mind and when he does, it's hard to stop him," Thunder coach Briggs Anderson said. He said Mueller, a striker, scored his four goals on five shots.

Mueller scored three in the first half, the first one assisted by Graison Le and the third by Alec Johnson, for a 3-0 halftime lead. Reece Knudtsen assisted on Mueller's final goal, before the Ohio team scored late in the game.

The Thunder finished 1-2 in pool play, coming up short of the title game in the eight-team tourney, dubbed the Under 17 Boys Super Group, the higher of two levels of play offered at nationals.

Lake Grove United, which beat the Thunder 5-1 on Saturday, advanced to today's title game.

Anderson also praised the play of outside back Jake Nelson and center back Pete Busche.

"The whole back line played well," he said. "We were shutting down all their opportunities."