It took two masterful goals off of corner kicks to secure the season’s first victory for the 11U Kaw Valley Force soccer team on Friday night at the Kaw Valley Cup at Youth Sports Inc. The win was a sign of things to come for the team, who made it all the way to the finals to take second place in the tournament.

The Force faced off against some formidable opponents in the tournament, starting with the Topeka Prodigy Cosmos in the opening round, who they were able to defeat 2-1.

The first half of the game pitted the Force against the Cosmos’ weapon of mass destruction, their power forward who has a record of scoring over a hundred goals in the league so far. After the Force was down by a goal at the start of the game center defender Tanner Williams over took the Cosmos’ imposing forward and sent him out of the game.

11U Kaw Valley Force team poses after their second place finish in the Kaw Valley Cup on Sunday. Front row, left to right, Anthony Richardson, Parker Davies, Jeffrey Mekus, Gavin Fischer, Tanner Williams, Louis Joslyn. Back left to right, Matthew Todd, Nick Allen, Justin Riley, Matthew Saathoff, Michael Latham, Jensen Lemmon and Coach Mauro Nobre.

“I’m very happy we won it, we faced a tough team and a tough forward and started out down 1-0,” head coach Mauro Nobre said.

The game began with the Cosmos a head above the rest, deflecting balls with header after header. All the headers sent the ball flying back and forth on the field like a ping-pong ball until it landed at the feet of the Cosmos, who drove it in for a goal, which devastated the Force.

The Force were down but not out taking three shot attempts before the first half was over. Eventually they broke through with goal off of a corner kick to tie it at one. Force goalie Anthony Richardson also stepped in for the team time after time to squelch the Cosmos’ shot attempts. Richardson said his job well done was a reward in itself, over the team’s own eventual victory.

“I really liked challenging them in goalie play,” Richardson said. “I’m pretty glad we won.”

The victory was far from being in the bag by the end of the half with the two teams tied. The Force used the second half to launch their counterattack. Minutes later after a teammate slid in for a pass, the team was up and running to swipe a corner kick in for their second goal.

11U Kaw Valley Force Parker Davies takes a hip check from a BV Stars Arsenal player Sunday at the Kaw Valley Cup. The Force went on to win the match 4-0, and took second place in the tournament.

“We had two really good goals off of corner kicks,” Nobre said. “We were trying to shoot low.”

Richardson said the springlike weather complete with bone-chilling winds was also a factor in getting the ball into Force’s zone.

“The wind helped us to get it in,” Richardson said.

A goal behind and the Cosmos were trying to play a game of catch up. With renewed energy and cleats pounding holes into the grass, the Cosmos tried for the last few minutes to lob in another goal, but the victory was on the side of the Force as they held on to finish on top 2-1.

Nobre said he was pleased to start the season and the tournament off with the victory. He also expressed his gratitude to the players and their families who dedicated their time to the game of youth soccer.

“The thing that always amazes me is the time, money and energy invested in the sport,” Nobre said. “Moms, dads and siblings invest a lot to support the players and make it possible for them to play. It makes me feel grateful.”

The Force’s victory was an indicator of how the rest of the tournament would go as on Saturday they defeated FHSC AC Perugia, 7-0.

After completely dominating their games during the Kaw Valley Cup Tournament Saturday, the team stormed onto the field Sunday for the semifinal game. The wind blew in their favor once again, shutting out the Blue Valley Stars Arsenal, 4-0, sweeping the boys in black to the finals Sunday night.

The Force took the field after the whistle blew, each player feeling confident they could win the game. Defender Anthony Richardson couldn’t catch his breath.

“This weekend is probably the best we’ve ever done,” he said. “It feels good. Really good.”

The Force might have been too confident as the game began with their opponents dominating and the Arsenal keeping the Force stumbling over each other in the defensive zone. The Force quickly regained control over the ball and steamrolled the visitors.

Justin Riley gave the Force three of their five goals. Riley wasn’t about to let their lead shut down his showmanship, landing both a header goal and a ricochet off the top post for the fifth and final goal of the contest.

Lewis Joslyn finds his place at every position except goalie, so he was pleased with his team’s performance on all sides.

“Our scoring was some of the best we’ve had,” Joslyn said. “Our defense was really good two.”

In the finals the Force faced off against CSA Gold Potencia and suffered their first defeat taking home second place honors.