MSN PRESENTS THE NEXT LEVEL VS. MMMSL LANSING ITALIA: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXrbitk100A
BY DAN STICKRADT
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST | WEB AND CONTENT EDITOR | DIRECTOR OF NEWS
PH: (248) 884-1051
TW/X: @msn_stickradt @LocalSportsFans @MiSoccerNetwork
PONTIAC, Mich. – Simply put, the Next Level Training men’s soccer team is a collection of well-aged talent, sort of like a fine wine.
They keep getting better with time.
Stacked with players that formerly performed at high levels at the youth club, high school, collegiate or even the semi-pro or pre-professional levels, NLT ran roughshod against most of its competition the last two years.
That all culminated with yet another crown Sunday afternoon.
Next Level Training never trailed and eventually cruised to a 5-1 victory over the Lansing-based MMMSL Italia in the Michigan Soccer Association Gerhard Mengel Over-30 State Cup Tournament Finals at the United Wholesale Mortgage Sports Complex in Pontiac.
Next Level Training drew first blood in the 19th minute, netted the eventual game-winner in the 24th minute and scored three more goals in the second half to claim their second straight state cup championship.
Colin Helmrich scored the first goal off a pass from the right side from Zach Carroll just 18:11 into the contest to set the tone. Keaton Levock banged home a free kick outside the box top put NLT up 2-0 in the 24th minute and that goal later proved to be the game-winner.
Italia did trim the deficit down to 2-1 in the 30th minute when Jared Wilson-Santos converted a penalty kick after a teammate was knocked over in the box during a collision, but Italia could not get closer the rest of the way.
Next Level Training outshot Italia by a commanding 26-9 overall advantage, including 14-6 with shots on frame, and even held a 5-4 edge on cornericks in the match.
Ryan Rzepka scored in the 54th minute to put his team up 3-1, heading home a pass from Joe Censoni, while Censoni scored the fourth goal in the 57th minute off a pass from Sebastian Harris.
Levock netted the brace with his second goal in the 84th minute by finishing off a pass from Joshua Stenbeck.
Anthony Santilli recorded the win between the pipes after registering five saves on the day for Next Level Training.
Matthew Redshaw took the loss in goal for Italia but made nine saves on 14 shots on goal.
MSN PRESENTS THE NEXT LEVEL VS. MMMSL LANSING ITALIA: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXrbitk100A
(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the Michigan Soccer Network regarding club soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer of teams or players with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com, or call 248-884-1051. Dan Stickradt is a 31-year veteran of the Michigan Media circles and recently joined the staff full time in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/MSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@michigansoccernetwork.com.)
MICHIGAN SOCCER ASSOCIATION MEN’S SOCCER OPEN CUP: Hamtramck City rallies back against Iraqi Lions to earn coveted cup: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/post/michigan-soccer-association-men-s-soccer-open-cup-hamtramck-city-rallies-back-against-iraqi-lions-t
MSN PRESENTS THE HAMTRAMCK CITY VS. IRAQI LIONS: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJxZUr7H7rY
MICHIGAN SOCCER ASSOCIATION WOMEN’S SOCCER OPEN CUP: Cabato knocks down Strike Club in or state cup title
MSN PRESENTS THE CABATO VS. STRIKE CLUB: www.youtube.com/watch?v=674n536ri9U
MICHIGAN SOCCER ASSOCIATION OVER-30 MEN’S SOCCER: Next Level Training simply rises above Italia to claim state cup crown: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/post/michigan-soccer-association-over-30-men-s-soccer-next-level-training-simply-rises-above-italia-to-c
MSN PRESENTS THE NEXT LEVEL VS. MMMSL LANSING ITALIA: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXrbitk100A
MICHIGAN SOCCER ASSOCIATION OVER-40 MEN’S SOCCER: Carpathia Kickers rally back to earn MSA State Cup title: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/post/michigan-soccer-association-over-40-men-s-soccer-carpathia-kickers-rally-back-to-earn-msa-state-cup
MSN PRESENTS THE CARPATHIA KICKERS VS. THE DETROIT BULLETS: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbmKE1IDY2o
Comments