Mary Rounce from Team Chicago Academy-Santos was in impressive company on Tuesday night as she attended the Red Carpet Premiere of the new documentary “Head Games” by award-winning documentary film maker Steve James. James is probably best known for his movie “Hoop Dreams”.

“Head Games” takes a critical look at the issues surrounding brain injures suffered in both professional and youth sports. Mary and her mother Laura star in the film as they share their story about Mary’s concussions from playing elite youth soccer. The movie also has footage from a Team Chicago Academy-Santos game at Midwest United last fall with cameo appearances by AJ Jakuszewski, Caitlin Tabilog, and Talise Romain.

After the screening of the movie Mary and Laura were joined on stage by former Women’s National Team star Cindy Parlow-Cone, Ryan Nowinski (former All-Ivy football player and WWF star), Isaiah Kacyvenski (former NFL star), Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins front-man & self-avowed “wrestlemaniac”), Alan Schwarz (Pullitzer Prize-nominated New York Times journalist), and the film’s director Steven James for an hour-long Q & A session with the audience. The athletes on stage shared their stories of dealing with concussions and concussion-related symptoms.

The movie will be released shortly. For a view of the trailer, please click on this link http://vimeo.com/headgames/trailer

Four Team Chicago Academy teams traveled to Fort Wayne, IN this past weekend to participate in the “Shoot for the Cure” tournament. With 65+ players and their families all staying in the same hotel there was a very strong Team Chicago feel to Downtown Fort Wayne, and players, coaches, and families had a great bonding experience.

It was also a successful weekend on fields with 3 Team Chicago teams advancing to the finals and Cruzeiro (U12 Girls) claiming the U13 title with a 2-0 win over the host Fort Wayne Fever’s U13 team. Mia Lakstigala and Jamie Goralski got the goals, and Bailey Witt earned the shutout in goal.

Palmeiras (U17 Boys) lost a heart-breaker in the final on a goal with 2 minutes left of the 2nd overtime. And Vasco (U14 Girls) lost the final in the cruelest of manners in a PK shootout after a 2-2 tie. Taylor Leskovar and Katie Brown got the goals.

Finally, Brasilia (U13 Girls) made it to the semi-final after two very impressive wins in the group play.

Closer to home, the Falcons (U13 Boys) made it to the championship game of the Hawks Tournament. Playing Eclipse they were down 3-1 at the half. However, they rallied in the 2nd half with goals by James Zhang (who scored the 1st half goal, too) and Alex Filo. Playing some really good team soccer, they ended regulation tied 3-3. With an exciting PK shootout going to 7 shooters, the Falcons unfortunately lost in the end. Great game and a great tournament.

TEAM CHICAGO ACADEMY COLLEGE COMMITMENTS

This is the list of current college commitments of Team Chicago Academy players in the 2013 H.S. Class:

2013:

Ashley Handwork, Marquette University

Brooke Ksiazek, Illinois State University

Bryce Banuelos, West Virginia University

Dana Miller, Miami University of Ohio

Darby Moran, University of Wisconsin-Parkside

Gianna Dal Pozzo, University of Miami

Hope D’Addario, University of Illinois

Jenna Romano, Wake Forest

Jorie Clawson, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville

Kaela Leskovar, Lee University

Kaitlin Johnson, University of Toledo

Karla DiJohn, Notre Dame College

Meegan Johnston, University of Illinois

Rachele Armand, University of Louisville

Zoe Swift, University of Kentucky

Zoey Goralski, UCLA

Team Chicago Academy-Brasília players & coaches took time out of their busy schedules to come together for a great cause at “Feed My Starving Children”. Not only was this a great team-building experience, but more importantly it helped others who are less fortunate.

The girls packed 20,520 meals, which will feed 56 kids for a year. It was a great time filled with a lot of laughter, dancing, and hard work. The team is looking forward to getting back there soon.

Karla DiJohn, a midfielder on Team Chicago Academy-Botafogo, has accepted a generous scholarship offer to continue her soccer career at Notre Dame College in Cleveland, OH. DiJohn, who plays her prep soccer for Julie Bergstrom at Waubonsie Valley H.S., will be part of Head Coach Mike Shiels’ freshman class in 2013.

Notre Dame College has recently completed the transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II, and will begin play in the GLIAC (Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) for the 2012 season. The conference is arguably the strongest Division II conference in the country as it includes national powerhouse Grand Valley State University.