Three Portage Soccer Teams (PSC 08 Green Girls, PSC 06 Green Boys, and PSC 05 Green Boys) served as demonstration teams at the MSYSA Grassroots coaches clinics at Kalamazoo College on March 24th.
Vu Le, PSC Techincal Coaching Director, gave an in depth coaching presentation at the Spring Coaches Meeting on March 27th.
Congratulations to the following Portage Soccer Club teams that applied and were accepted into the 2019 MSYSA Spring State Cup and Junior State Cup Tournaments!
The MSYSA State Cup is the first level of competition in the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series. Teams who win the State Cup earn the right to represent Michigan at regional and potentially national competitions.
JUNIOR STATE CUP (Ages U10-U12) - MSYSA Junior State Cup
Portage SC 08 Green Boys (Coach Mark Murry) - Boys U11 2nd Division (Bracket B)
Portage SC 08 Green Girls (Coach Wayne Harpenau) - Girls U11 2nd Division (Bracket C)
STATE CUP (U13 Girls, U13-U19 Boys) - MSYSA Girls State Cup, MSYSA Boys State Cup
Portage SC 06 Green Girls (Coach Jen Leone) - Girls U13 (Bracket H)
Attacking, Shooting and Finishing
This summer the Portage Soccer Club is hosting a Coed Striker Camp for travel soccer players ages 12 to 18. Players of all positions, defenders and attackers, are welcome to attend. PSC coaches will provide specialized instruction on shooting and accuracy, shooting with power, shooting with crosses and on breakaways, as well as volleying, free-kicks and penalties.
Camp #1 (ages 12-18): July 9-11, 2019 Tuesday-Thursday 5:30pm-8:00pm
Camp #2 (ages 12-18): July 16-18, 2019 Tuesday-Thursday 5:30pm-8:00pm
Cost: $120
Please visit https://portagesoccer.com/striker-camp/ for more information and registration.
The below photos are from a Fall tournament in Indianapolis where the team finished in 2nd place in the U19 gold division. The first photo is of the entire team. The second photo is of the players who joined the team in 2012-2013.
I thought I would share some interesting tidbits about the team as it exemplifies the PSC tradition that player development and success on the pitch takes time. I had the pleasure of coaching this team for the past 7 years beginning in Fall 2012 when the team played in WMYSA U12 division. The first year the team had a perfect record (winless that is going 0-8). Either I improved my coaching or the ladies got better. I prefer to give them the credit. The following 2 seasons the team advanced from WMYSA to Elite earning promotion to MSPSP Premier in Fall 2015. Over the next 4 seasons the team steadily advanced up the premier divisions finishing the Fall 2018 season in 2nd place in Premier 2. Along the journey coach Nic Losiewski joined the team and played an integral role in its development and success.
The players represent 8 area high schools and all are playing on their respective varsity teams. My congratulations to the ladies on a job well done and for the special memories they created for me.
- David Rice
PSC 00 Green Girls Team
PSC 00 Green Girls Team - Players that joined team 2012-2013
2019 Soccer Ball
Thursday, February 21st
6:00 to 10:00 PM
Olde Peninsula Brewpub
Downtown Kalamazoo
$100 per couple ($60 for singles). Your admission is your donation, with all proceeds going directly toward the scholarship program. Sign up today!
Entertainment provided by world-renowned magician and hypnotist Chuck King
https://portagesoccer.com/soccer-ball/
In 2015, the Board of Directors of the West Michigan Youth Soccer Association ("WMYSA") established a college scholarship program to provide financial assistance to graduating high school seniors who have participated in the West Michigan Youth Soccer Association for at least five years.
WMYSA will again be awarding one $500 scholarship to the top male and female athlete as determined by an impartial committee based upon the evaluation of the scholarship applications; not the athletic ability of the player. Additional scholarships may be available if funding can be secured.
In order to be considered, seniors must have achieved a minimum Academic Average of 2.5 unweighted grade point average and anticipate attending an accredited college or trade school. In addition, consideration for an award includes each candidate's participation in voluntary and community service activities.
The deadline for the application will be January 11, 2019. All applications will remain confidential and will be reviewed by members of the scholarship committee only. Scholarship winners will be announced and awards presented at the 2019 WMYSA Annual Presidents dinner in February 2019.
For more information please visit our website at http://www.wmysa.org/college-scholarship.html
Ken Pope
WMYSA President
The PSC 06 Green Girls team gathered this holiday season to make fleece blankets that were donated to Bronson Children’s Hospital.
The donated blankets are used by the hospital for:
The Volunteer Baby Guild in layettes given to babies-in-need born at Bronson
Babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Infant through teen patients on the Pediatric Unit
A group of parents from the PSC 05 Green girls team worked at the Practice Facility late Fall filling potholes (4,000 pounds of gravel!) at the entrance. A big “THANK YOU” to Byholt, Inc. for donating the materials and all the volunteers. Thanks!
Parent volunteers:
Dale Hesley
Rob Hoopingarner
Steve Phenicie
Matt Schipper
Players that helped:
Peyton Hoopingarner
Aubrey Phenicie
Regan Berg was joined by PSC Coaches Vu Le and Paul Knight at her collegiate day signing to play Division 1 soccer at Rutgers University.
Regan was the PSC 99 girls team from U13 to U15 and while with our club made the ODP national pool. She moved on to Midwest United's Grand Rapids MRL then ECNL team which won the U16 National Championship the following season and eventually entered their DA program.
She received a scholarship to play at Rutgers University in NJ starting next fall.
(from Left to Right) Verne Genisio, John Calnin, Mike Flynn, Mark Horning, Norm Jensen, and Sean Bowser. Not pictured, Paul Knight and Mike Rohrstaff
The Portage Soccer Club Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Wednesday, September 19th at 7:00pm.
At the AGM, we will discuss the club's finances and current events. We will also be voting for election of officers.
All are welcome to attend the AGM. If you are interested in being considered for any of the board positions or desire additional information, please contact David Rice president@portagesoccer.com by Friday, September 14th.
We are a friendly group who enjoy working together for the betterment of the club...YOUR Club. We'd love to see you get involved!
LOCATION:
Cornerstone Construction Management
450 W. Centre Avenue
Portage, MI 49024
The Portage Soccer Club U13 Green Girls team started the season by winning the Rush Kickoff Classic Tournament in Northville, MI. The girls played up an age group in the U14 division and played great soccer as a team. They won their first 4 games playing 11v11 on full size fields with full size goals. They only had 14 of our 18 girls with one of the missing girls being our goalie. It was hot, it was a bigger field, and girls took turns in goal. The girls only allowed 1 goal all weekend. It was an amazing weekend of great soccer. The coaches and parents are super PROUD of the girls!!
Schedules have been posted for the 2018 Portage Celery Cup and can be viewed at the following link.
http://www.gotsport.com/events/?eventid=67714
Thank you for choosing to participate in the Portage SC 2018 Celery Cup.
The Celery Cup Tournament home webpage is located at:
https://portagesoccer.com/portage-celery-cup/
The PSC Tournament Homepage lists the following:
- Complex Rules
- The Division games and flights
- Paperwork checklist including on-site registration dates/times
- Field maps for the Portage Soccer Compex and Practice Facility
The Portage Soccer Complex has over 500 parking spaces plus additional parking available at nearby facilities. Parking at the Portage SC complex is free.
Please note: No smoking, alcohol, or pets are allowed at the field locations, Thank you for your cooperation.
We look forward to hosting your team! Please feel free to email drice@edwardrose.com with any questions. Please include your team name, age, and gender in all emails to help us better serve your needs.
Divisions have been posted for the 2018 Portage Celery Cup and can be viewed at the following link. Game schedules will be posted soon.
https://www.gotsport.com/asp/directors/tournament/vieweventteamscleanb.asp?eventid=67714
Mark your calendars for the 1st annual Portage Soccer Club Golf for Kicks fundraiser on Wednesday, August 22nd. 100% of the proceeds from the event will fund the PSC Scholarship Program.
One of PSC's goals is to allow all kids the opportunity to play travel soccer. The scholarship program gives kids the ability to play when they otherwise may not be able to afford the club fees.
Event is open to all Portage Soccer Club parents, family, friends and anyone interested in participating. Event is recommended for ages 18 and up. Event includes:
Location: Angel's Crossing Golf Course (map)
Address: 3600 E W Ave, Vicksburg, MI 49097
Date: August 22, 2018
Time: 9:00 am Check-In, 9:30 am Shotgun Start
Cost: $85 per person
HOLE SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
Each sponsor will have a sign at a tee box with their company/family name.
Click the following link to register for the event or sponsor a hole
https://portagesoccer.com/golf-for-kicks
Striker Camp #2 on July 16-18, 2018 from 5:30pm-8:00pm has been extended to include age groups 12-14 and is now available for Ages 12-18.
Please visit https://portagesoccer.com/striker-camp/ for more information and registration.
Dedication ceremony on June 24th at 3:00pm - Portage Soccer Complex
The “Wall of Fame” at the Portage Soccer Complex is a popular attraction particularly for visiting teams. I often see parents and players there reading about these PSC alumni. The honorees include Lindsay Tarpley, Jacob Peterson, Eric Alexander and B.J. Snow will soon be joined by another outstanding PSC player.
Paige Wester played for the PSC in the early 2000’s. Her high school Portage Central team won the Division 1 State Championship in 2009. Paige earned all-conference, all-district and all-state first team honors her freshman, sophomore and junior seasons. She earned the title “Michigan Ms. Soccer” in her sophomore and junior years. That honor is awarded annually to the top female player in the state.
Following a standout high school career Paige took her skills to Michigan State University for an outstanding four year career. Paige will be honored at the Portage Soccer Complex on June 24th with the unveiling of her wall plaque. Congratulations Paige!
The club registration meeting is mandatory for players and a parent or guardian. The meeting will be used to turn in paperwork (Medical Release Form, Concussion Form, Liability Waiver), try on uniforms for sizing purposes, get to know your coach/teammates, and receive additional club information. This meeting is very important, but if you absolutely are unable to attend, please contact your coach to make alternate arrangements.
GIRLS MEETING: Monday, June 25th
BOYS MEETING: Tuesday, June 26th
LOCATION: Hackett Catholic Prep HS Auditorium
1000 W. Kilgore Road
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
TIME: 7:00pm-9:00pm
SCHEDULE: 6:00pm Doors open for uniform sizing
7:00pm Meeting promptly starts
7:15pm "Play Like a Champion" Event
8:15pm Team organizational meetings
"PLAY LIKE A CHAMPION" GUEST SPEAKERS
LINDSAY TARPLEY
PAIGE
WESTER
