The Northern Steel 2011 Blue Team earned first place in the National Premier League (NPL) U14 National Championships, held July 7-11 in Denver, Colo.

The team, members of which include incoming Mars Area High School ninth-graders Mackenzie Powell and Brielle Krepin and incoming Mars Area Middle School eighth-grader Ally Franck, went undefeated in the U14-A championships.

In the opening matches, the team defeated the San Juan Soccer Club (2-1), Elmhurst City Surf (2-1), and Armada Futbol Club (3-1). The team then overtook Minneapolis United 4-1 in the semifinals and conquered the Culver City Football Club 2-1 in the final game, earning the championship trophy.

For further information, visit https://usclubsoccer.org/npl-finals/.