LansingCurrent.com

Shawnee — The under-12 girls Leavenworth Thunder soccer team finished its futsal season on a high note Sunday, beating the Devil's United soccer team 3-2. That victory gave the Thunder a 2-1-1 record in the National Super Futsal Champions Cup tournament in Shawnee.

The Thunder started the tournament with a tie against Blue Valley Soccer Club's Galaxy. The Galaxy had finished the regular futsal season in first place. The Thunder quickly went up 3-1 in the first half, but the Galaxy fought back and tied the game with 1:13 left to play in the second. The Thunder had two good shots on goal but could not convert in the final minute of play.

The Thunder struggled to develop a rhythm in their second game and lost to the Total Soccer Club's Storm out of Springfield, Mo., 4-0.

The girls didn't dwell on that lose though; coming out the next day and beating the eventual first-place team BVSC Lazio, 5-3. This match went back and forth before the Thunder stepped it up a notch and delivered three quick goals to secure the victory.

Thunder coach Riley Anderson said the girls showed a lot of improvement over the course of the season, and their second-place finish in the tournament demonstrated how far they have come.

The Thunder are now preparing for the upcoming spring soccer season in the competitive Heartland Soccer League.

"With all the improvement in ball handling skills, teamwork, and game tactics these girls have developed, I feel we have a good chance of winning the league this spring." Anderson said. "Our premier teams in the Leavenworth United Soccer Club have developed a lot over the winter and they will be competitive every time they step on the pitch."

The Leavenworth United Soccer Club teams will start league play March 15th.