Orland Park Sting Crowned Midwest Champs!

WESTFIELD, Ind. — In a club first, the Orland Park Sting will have a team competing for a national championship.

On Sunday, June 14, the Sting 2013 Premier Boys captured the National Presidents Cup Great Lakes Regional title at Grand Park in Westfield, Indiana, earning a berth in the National Presidents Cup Finals in Wichita, Kansas, July 7-11. The team outscored four opponents by a combined 17-1 margin and became the first team in club history to qualify for nationals.

Led by seven goals from Ethan Guerrero, including a hat trick in the tournament opener and the championship-winning goal in the final, the Sting attack averaged more than 25 shots per game while receiving contributions throughout the lineup.

Fast Start Against Pennsylvania

The tournament opened Thursday against FC 814 Vipers of Pennsylvania, and the Sting wasted little time asserting themselves.

Guerrero recorded a hat trick while club newcomer Leon Radecki used his size to score on a header and add an assist. Team Captain Benny Parnitzke and Jonathan Contreras each found the net, while midfielder Jayden Moreno assisted twice and Jackson Herbert added an assist in a commanding 7-0 victory.

Second-Half Surge Downs Ohio Representative

Friday’s matchup against Fairfield Optimist Elite of Ohio proved more competitive. After a scoreless first half, the Sting’s conditioning and possession began to wear down their opponents.

Contreras, Guerrero and Adrien "Tito" Villazana each scored after halftime to secure a 3-0 victory. Moreno, Radecki and holding midfielder Logan Gerretse recorded assists.

Defensively, the Sting limited Fairfield to just two shots on goal. Goalkeeper Oscar Olivas was called upon only twice, thanks in part to a back line anchored by the team’s youngest player, Decker Wojick, who plays up two age groups from the Sting 2015 squad.

Saturday Win Completes Perfect Group Stage

Despite controlling possession against Wisconsin representative Elmbrook United on Saturday, the Sting appeared headed for halftime scoreless.

Moments before the break, however, Contreras battled through traffic near the goal line and found right wingback Jack Yucuis, whose shot slipped between the goalkeeper’s legs to give Orland Park a 1-0 lead.

Contreras opened the second half with another goal before Gerretse and Guerrero added to the margin. Guerrero scored twice in the contest as the Sting completed a 5-0 victory. Parnitzke and Radecki again contributed to the assist column.

Defenders Nolan Li, Burk Reckinger and Cole Cumbee helped preserve another shutout, limiting Elmbrook to zero shots on target and sending Orland Park into Sunday’s championship match with three consecutive clean sheets.

Championship Test Against Michigan’s Chaos FC

Awaiting the Sting in Sunday’s final was Michigan’s Chaos FC, fresh off a dramatic semifinal victory over Fort Wayne.

As they had throughout the tournament, the Sting controlled possession and generated numerous scoring chances. The Sting coach countered their opponents physicality by placing bruising defender Dylan Ahmer in a central attacking position. Despite several dangerous opportunities, Chaos held firm and the teams entered halftime scoreless.

The second half followed a similar pattern. Chaos packed defenders behind the ball, and relied heavily on its dangerous No. 10 to create opportunities on the counterattack.

Midway through the half, the strategy paid off. Following the Sting’s first defensive breakdown of the weekend, a ball over the top sent the speedy striker racing past the Sting defense. After rounding goalkeeper Olivas, he gave Chaos a 1-0 lead — the first goal surrendered by Orland Park all tournament.

The response was immediate.

Applying relentless pressure, the Sting regained complete control of the match. Villazana brought Orland Park level after finishing a well-worked sequence set up by Parnitzke, and the momentum never shifted back.

With the Sting continuing to dominate possession and limit Chaos to few opportunities, the pressure eventually produced the winner. Radecki slipped a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Guerrero, who struck an incisive shot that caught the Chaos goalkeeper wrong-footed and sent the Sting bench into celebration.

The 2-1 victory completed a perfect 4-0 weekend and secured the Great Lakes Regional championship. "Most of the boys have played together a long time," Coach Jake Kozak said as he presented winners medals to his players, "they trust each other."

"We're going to Wichita!"

With the regional championship secured and Seven Nation Army queued in the playlist, the Sting now turn their attention to Wichita, where they will face seven other regional champions in pursuit of the National Presidents Cup.

For Orland Park, the trip marks a milestone achievement — and the next chapter in a season that has already become one for the club history books.