Kickin' it to nationals

SALT LAKE CITY — Megan Drake’s goal in the first overtime held up, and the Sting Timbers 00/01 girls went on to beat L30 Nitro Utah 2-1 in the girls 18-and-under championship game of the US Youth Soccer Far West Presidents Cup on Sunday at the Regional Athletic Complex.

It marks the first regional title won by a Sting Timbers club team, and qualifies the squad for the National Presidents Cup, scheduled for July 11-15 in Westfield, Ind.

The game-winner was scored against the wind by U18 girls scoring leader and Eastern Washington signee Megan Drake of Coeur d’Alene High. Drake tallied her 10th goal of the tournament after she was able to get on the end of a long pass from Bridget Rieken, a rising senior at Lake City who has committed to play at Washington State. That gave the Sting Timbers a one-goal lead with 5 minutes still remaining in the first of two overtime periods.

Erika Skindlov of the Sting Timbers opened the scoring midway through the first half. The Utah team earned the equalizer off a corner kick in the 70th minute.

“We persevered through the challenges of the long week. Six games in as many days is no easy task. The level of play increased with the intensity, forcing us to win in overtime of our final two matches,” Sting Timbers coach Julio Morales said.

An outbreak of the flu meant the Sting Timbers had just two healthy substitutes on Sunday.

“You never know what game time will bring,” Morales said. “I am extremely proud of what this group has been able to withstand. We were pushed to the limit and fought back time and time again — the mark of a dedicated champion.”

Goalkeeper Lily Foster of Coeur d’Alene High, an Idaho State commit, came up big in both Saturday’s semifinal and Sunday’s final.

Helped by the play of defenders Rieken, Eryn Ducote, Tiana Cydell, Charlotte Hennig and Makenzie Mattis, and midfielders Chloe Teets, Sarah Swider and Izzy Lehosit, Foster had shutouts in 4 of the 6 games. Lexi Medina played several positions and joined Courtney Cydell with two goals a piece. Julianna Stith tallied a goal and Maddie Smith created havoc for the opposing defenders.

Next month in Indiana, the Sting Timbers will represent the 14 western states and will vie for a national title against other regional champions from the South, East and Midwestern regions.

“This is a great group of players who are willing and have put in massive amounts of work over the past several months and years to compete at the highest level. The journey hasn’t been easy, but this accomplishment serves as a testament to the will and determination of these players and to the process and the club culture of Sting Timbers, now Timbers-Thorns North FC,” said Morales, who also serves as the club’s Director of Coaching, along with Technical Director Mike Thompson, Youth Director Nick Funkhouser and Director of Competition Matt Ruchti.

“I am certainly exhausted and excited, as I know our entire team is,” Morales said. “The opportunity to represent ourselves, our state and now our region in a national championship tournament is truly an honor. We will continue to play with heart and confidence knowing we have earned this opportunity.”