Nine area youths compete in European soccer events

YOUNGSTOWN -- Nine area soccer players participated with the North American All-Stars in two European soccer tournaments this month.
The NAAS 18-under team played in the Gothia Cup in Gothenburg, Sweden in a field of 131 teams. The team advanced from round play with a 2-1 record then fell to IF Brommapojkarna 3-0.
The NAAS team also took third in the Dana Cup in Denmark, losing in the semifinals. The U-18 bracket there drew 54 teams.
Willis stars: In those two tournaments Kiki Willis, 14, a freshman at Mooney, scored six goals.
Also on the team were Sam Camens, 16, a junior at Fitch; Justin Daly, 16, a junior at Hubbard; Evan Mikulka, 16, a junior at Fitch, and Nathan Mang, 14, a freshman at Niles.
The NAAS under-12 team placed second in the Dana Cup, losing 2-0 to Necaxa of Mexico. Michael Nanchoff of Cleveland scored 20 goals in the tournament and was named MVP.
The U-12 team also advanced out of group play in the Gothia Cup with a 3-0 record and made it to the round of 16 before losing to Academia Chelona, 3-0.
On the U-12 team are Cory Mihaly, 12, of Lowellville; Justin Mihaly, 12, of Lowellville; Kyle Buxman, 12, of Poland, and Brad Hrinko, 12, of Austintown.