Area players basking in national run

Wickliffe’s Stoehr, NDCL’s Valentic are members of Cleveland Force SC

There was a time when the Force heading out to Washington State was not an uncommon occurrence, as one of the old Major Indoor Soccer League franchise’s longtime rivals in their heyday was the Tacoma Stars.

It’s a bit different for this incarnation of the Force, though, Cleveland Force SC operating as a youth soccer organization out of Bedford Heights in this day and age.

Two News-Herald coverage area high school players will get to enjoy a trip out to Washington State with the Force soon, also with a national-stage facet to it.

The Force’s 16-and-under girls regional side is one of eight qualifiers for the Elite Club National League’s Regional League finals, which will take place June 2229 in Redmond, Wash., about 15 miles northeast of Seattle.

On the Force’s roster are a pair of juniors-to-be who are staples in their respective high school sides in Wickliffe’s Annabella Stoehr and Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin’s Kaitlyn Valentic, appreciative of a national opportunity after two seasons significantly altered by the pandemic.

“We’re really excited,” Valentic said. “Everyone has been so pumped up, like ready to go. We’ve been ready to go for a while now.

“(Qualifying after the pandemic-ridden last couple seasons) definitely makes it a lot more special, because I know a big thing was we got handshakes taken out. We couldn’t really do big celebrations altogether. So it’s kind of nice that we get to take in the moment and experience things. Because we wouldn’t have been able to get the same experience two years ago. It’s crazy to think about.”

COURTESY DAVID STOEHR The Force 16-and-under girls regional side is shown after a match. They will compete in a national tournament in Washington State after winning their ECNL Regional League division.