The South Sioux City Strikers soccer team is heading to the Regional Championships in Michigan.SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. (KTIV) -- -
Not too many people look forward to a 14-hour drive, unless it's for something very important. After capturing their first Nebraska State Cup Championship, the South Sioux City Strikers Under-13 soccer team is heading to the Regional Midwest Championships in Saginaw, Michigan.
They're the first Siouxland team to capture the Nebraska State Cup. The Strikers won the Nebraska State Cup title game, 1-0, to advance to regional action.
The squad, which includes kids from all around Siouxland, will be one of 14 teams competing in Michigan for a regional title.
"It's exciting because we're the first South Sioux City team to ever do it," said 13-year-old Grant Delperdang. "I'm a little nervous, but I'm also really excited."
Over the past three seasons, the South Sioux City squad has been dominate, compiling a 96-24-and-10 record over their last 130 matches. They've competed in tournaments in Sioux Falls and Yankton, South Dakota, as well as in Minneapolis and Kansas City, outscoring opponents 512-205.
"Some of the kids are already showing abilities that a lot of college coaches from around the Siouxland area and in the Omaha area have already expressed interest that they're going to keep an eye on these kids and look forward to possibly recruiting them," said Strikers Head Coach Scott Barber.
"It's great. We played unorganized when we started and now we look more professional in how we play," said 13-year-old Jonatan Galvez. "We just dominate."
The Strikers leave Thursday for Michigan and the tournament starts Saturday. If the Strikers win their pool, they will advance the semifinals next Tuesday.
