Wisconsin Soccer Central

The Wisconsin 1996 boys team didn't get a win at the U.S. Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program Championships in Frisco, Texas, but the team ended the weekend on a high note.

Goalkeeper Braeden Federle (Milwaukee Kickers) posted the clean sheet as Wisconsin played out a 0-0 draw with Region III champion North Carolina in the consolation match Sunday morning at FC Dallas Stadium.

Midfielders Jaime Colin (Kenosha Area SL), Brady Lenius (De Pere Select) and Israel Betancourt (Racine Area SA) and striker Kai Bottum (SC Waukesha) created some good opportunities in a 4-5-1 formation for Wisconsin, which was coming off a 4-0 loss to Eastern Pennsylvania in the semifinals Friday night.

Bottum was denied by the North Carolina keeper approximately 20 minutes into the match, then saw a defender clear his shot off the line in the final 15 minutes. Lenius and Betancourt also had chances saved by the opposing keeper.

Center backs Ryan Mooney and Ben Cooksey (Madison 56ers), meanwhile, anchored the backline in front of Federle for the Region II champions. Riley Holton (Bavarian SC) also logged the full 90 minutes on defense for Wisconsin.

Region IV champion California South tipped Region I winner Eastern Pennsylvania 2-1 in the final, part of a dominating day that saw Cal South win all four divisions at the championships.