Local Players Compete In Sister Cities Soccer Tournament

Ben Gilbertson of Duluth and Jackson Engstrom of Hermantown (white jerseys) defend Victor Enroth of Sweden. Photos Courtesy Laura Weeks

July 7

Kerry Rodd-NSO

Every year the cities of Duluth, Minnesota and Vaxjo, Sweden host a Sister Cities soccer tournament in a soccer exchange type of setting. The two cities became sister cities in the 1990’s when the Mayor of Duluth was Gary Doty.

This year, the soccer tournament included a number of local athletes who represented Duluth in the tournament as well as players who hosted Swedish players in their homes.

Local Sister City Soccer exchange members Breanna Tucker, Brooke Langlie, and Caitlin Lilley all hosted Swedish players in their homes as well as participated on the U-16 girls team from Duluth.

At U-15 boys it was Bryan Johnson of Esko hosting an exchange student and Jared Weeks of Esko was a U-16 player hosting a player as well.

In girls play it was Sweden winning the U-16 division by beating Ashland 2-1, while the Duluth U-16 boy’s team won the title by beating Sweden 2-1 in a rematch of last years championship game played in Vaxjo. Jarad Weeks of Esko was the winning goalie for the Duluth team, while Jackson Engstrom of Hermantown scored a goal for the championship team in the title game.

The U-15 girls’ championship went to Duluth in a 4-3 winner over Sweden and the U-15 boy’s title went to Ashland in a 1-0 victory over Sweden.

Kerry Rodd can be reached at kerry@northlandsportsonline.com

Jarad Weeks (goalie) is guarded by Victor Enroth during day 2 of the soccer tournament