LOCAL SOCCER CLUBS COMBINE FOR 8 TITLES IN CITY OF ROSES TOURNEY

Three local soccer clubs were forces to reckoned with in this past weekend's City of Roses/CAYSA Select Soccer Tournament. All but one of the 11age divisions included a local club team as the champion or finalist.

Seven of the Southeast Missouri Soccer Club (SMSC) teams placed either first or second. Four of the Classic United Soccer Club teams placed first and the Jackson United Soccer Club claimed one championship.

The tournament, which began on Friday and ran through Sunday, featured more than 60 teams from Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee and Mississippi.

"The soccer was excellent with close games in almost ever division," said Craig Billmeyer, publicist for the City of Roses Tournament. "Most of the championship games were very close -- one or two goal affairs."

Area teams winning championships in the boys division were SMSC Raiders U-10, SMSC Terror U-11, Classic United U-12, Classic United U-14 and Jackson United U-16.

Area teams winning titles in the girls division were the SMSC Bumblebees U-10, Classic United U-11 and Classic United U-14.

Area teams placing second in the tournament were the SMSC Warriors U-9 boys, SMSC Crew U-10 boys, SMSC Hurricanes U-12 boys and SMSC '88 U-12 girls.

A game of note was the tournament final in the under-12 boys division between the Busch Soccer Club of St. Louis and the SMSC Warriors.

"Our local team battled like warriors and the game remained a draw at 2-2 after two overtime periods," said Billmeyer.

With 30 seconds remaining in the third overtime, Busch scored the game winner to capture the title.

"It was great to see a thrilling game followed by a display of good sportsmanship between the two teams and their parents," said Billmeyer. "Both of those teams know they will meet many times in the future."

Final results

BOYS

U-9

1. Busch Soccer Club

2. SMSC Warriors

U-10

1. SMSC Raiders

2. SMSC Crew

U-11

1. SMSC Terror

2. Wolfpack (St. Louis)

U-12

1. Classic United

2. SMSC Hurricanes

U-13

1. Wolfpack (St. Louis)

2. Gallagher (St. Louis)

U-14

1. Classic United

2. Lobos (Collierville, Tenn.)

U-16

1. Jackson United

2. NORCO (St. Louis)

GIRLS

U-10

1. SMSC Bumblebees (tie)

1. Iron Kids (St. Louis)

U-11

1. Classic United

2. St. Louis Jets

U-12

1. J.B. Marine (St. Louis)

2. SMSC '88's

U-14

1. Classic United

2. Jackson Mississippi F.C.