ShawneeDispatch.com

After making a run to the finals of the 2008 U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships in Little Rock, Ark., the Kansas City Wizards Under 19 Juniors dropped a heartbreaking 1-0 decision to Solar 89 on Sunday and ended their season as the national runner-up.

The game appeared on track for extra time, but Dallas-based Solar 89 buried a goal during stoppage time. After 92 minutes of soccer, the game was 1-0. Moments later time expired.

Solar scored on a free kick from 35 yards out. Tournament MVP Hunter Jumper received the pass and put a shot past Kansas City goalkeeper Alex Burton.

Burton, a Lansing native, was presented with the Adidas Golden Glove award as the tournament's top goalkeeper.

The Wizards received the tournament's Fair Play award for sportsmanship.

Two days earlier the squads played to a 1-1 draw in a relaxed match that had no implication on the tournament results. It allowed both teams to practice a bit and rest some of their starters. Former Mill Valley player Spencer Nash was one of the instigators on offense in that game for Kansas City.

Nash also was a factor on Thursday when he came off the bench to collect an assist on the final goal of a 3-1 Wizards victory against the Colorado Rush in the semifinals.

The Wizards Juniors are a developmental squad for the Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer.

Nash is a Baker University signee and a multi-time All-Kaw Valley League performer. He helped the Jaguars reach the state quarterfinals as a senior.

In addition to Nash, another Shawnee resident - St. Thomas Aquinas graduate and Furman University signee Colton Henning - plays for the Wizards Juniors.

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