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MNUFC Development Academy Wrap-Up | Week 9

Academy Ball Picture

The MNUFC Development Academy U13 and U14 teams started their spring season off with nothing but victories. The Loons faced St. Louis Scott Gallagher Illinois at the National Sports Center in Blaine this past weekend.


MNUFC U13 vs. St. Louis Scott Gallagher Illinois

The U13s began their slate of weekend matches on Saturday with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over St. Louis Scott Gallagher Illinois. The match opened up with an early goal from St. Louis’ Richard Dacus in the 10th minute, and St. Louis held the lead through the first half. The Loons reset with the restart, and came out on fire. Soloman Straub scored in the 49th minute, and again in the 53rd minute to secure the lead for the Loons. MNUFC hung on for the victory.


MNUFC U13 vs. St. Louis Scott Gallagher Illinois

On Sunday, it was MNUFC getting off to a hot start. Micah Burton put the Loons on the board in the 2nd minute of the match. Five minutes later, Soloman Straub added another goal to his weekend tally, securing a 2-0 lead for the squad. Jonah Gasho buried one in the back of the net in the 13th minute, followed by a second from Burton in the 16th, and one more from Abdulsalam Akinola in the 20th. MNUFC finished the first half up, 5-0. St. Louis’ Ryley Gibbs put one on the score sheet in the second half, bringing the score to 5-1, but St. Louis couldn’t catch up to the five the Loons netted early on. 


MNUFC U14 vs. St. Louis Scott Gallagher Illinois

The U14s followed the pattern the U13s put in place. Ryan Mahabadi put the Loons up 1-0 in the 2nd minute of play. Both teams battled throughout, with Daniel Lainsbury closing out the half with a late goal in the 39th minute to give the home side a 2-0 lead. Mahabadi scored a 46th minute goal to raise the score to 3-0. 30 minutes later, St. Louis’ Roger Weber put a consolation goal in the back of the net, for a 3-1 final.


MNUFC U14 vs. St. Louis Scott Gallagher Illinois

The U14s won 2-0 over St. Louis on Sunday, but not without a fight. It was a chippy match from the start, with goalkeeper Fred Emmings receiving a yellow in the 24th minute. Ten minutes later, Jacob Thao also received a yellow, and another booking for Johnny Leigh from St. Louis ten minutes later. The match remained scoreless in the first half. The Loons had a breakthrough when Daniel Lainsbury scored the first goal of the match in the 64th minute. In the 72nd minute, Jacob Thao received his second yellow, and was sent off the field after two cautions. Lainsbury added another in the 75th minute.


The U13s and U14s have a weekend off, and then face off against FC United Soccer Club on Saturday, April 7, and Sockers FC on Sunday, April 8. Check out the full schedule here.