The U17 Michigan Hawks are headed to the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championship Series later this month after winning the Region II title June 30 in Beavercreek, OH.

Canton's Pickert instrumental in Hawks' Regional title effort

BY ED WRIGHT
July 5, 2010, 10:25 p.m.

  Melanie Pickert will be a part of a special family reunion later this summer courtesy of the Michigan Hawks U17 soccer team.

  On June 30, the Hawks captured the Region II title - thanks in large part to Pickert's stellar play at center back - to earn a berth in the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships set for July 21-25 in Overland Park, KS.

  "Both of my parents are from Kansas, so a lot of my relatives will get to see me play for the first time," said Pickert, who earned Division 1 "Dream Team" status following an outstanding high school season with Canton this past spring.

  "In past years, we always said, 'This is our year', but we never won the Regional. This year, our expectations weren't as high, but we won it. A lot of girls on this team have played together for a long time, which helped."

  The Hawks' chances of winning the Regional championship game looked bleak when the Ohio Premier Eagles' Michela Paradiso's goal in the game's 72nd minute gave her team a 1-0 edge.

  However, the Hawks' Lisa Vogel tied the game 10 minutes later and Alexandra Heffron tallied the game winner in the game's 99th minute.

  The Hawks, who are coached by Adil Salmoni, advanced despite facing a daunting disadvantage. Michigan is one of the few states that plays girls soccer in the spring, thus many of the Hawks' foes have been playing together for several months.

  Following her senior season at Canton, Pickert take her elevated skills to the University of Iowa, one of several Big 10 teams to offer her a scholarship. She will be joined by fellow Hawks defenders Katie Brown and Jordan Rakas.

  "I wanted go to a Big 10 school so that my family could watch me when the team played in or close to Michigan," said Pickert. "I really liked the coaches at Iowa and it helped that two of my teammates are going there."

  The U17 contingent was one of three Hawks teams to advance to the Nationals. The U13 and U14 squads also moved on. Plymouth resident Rachel Winters is a key member of the U14 team.

  Ed Wright can be reached at (734) 453-1980 or info@plymouthcantonsports.com.