Team Chicago Academy-Botafogo claimed the U17 USYSA Region II Championship title with a convincing 3-0 win over the Wisconsin State Champions North Shore United. With the win Botafogo advance to the USYSA National Championships in Rock Hill, South Carolina July 24-29th. This marks the first time that a Team Chicago team has won Regionals and advanced to Nationals.

Botafogo took an early lead when Zoey Goralski intercepted the ball at the halfway line and drove at the heart of the North Shore defense before slipping a perfect pass to Ashley Handwork who calmly tucked the ball into the far corner. The insurance goal came at the hour-mark when Zoe Swift pressured a North Shore defender and knocked the ball to Kaitlin Johnson who cut across the recovering defender and gave a great pass for Bryce Banuelos to scored easily. The final goal came in the final 5 minutes as Meegan Johnston’s 3rd inch-perfect corner kick in row was headed home with some force by Dana Miller.

Megan Geldernick earned the 3rd shutout in a row in goal, and only conceded 3 goals in 5 games at Regionals. Botafogo outscored their opponents 18-3 over the 5 games, and Zoe Swift earned the Golden Boot as the most prolific scorer at the event with her 5 goals.