The Central Region has a new champion.

After cruising past Tti: Bluebonnets on Saturday, the Chicago Red Stars Reserves claimed the Central Region championship on Sunday against Fire & Ice SC.

The Red Stars Reserves notched a 4-1 victory over Tti. The Central Region playoff fixtures were hosted by Tti: Bluebonnets, who feature at San Jacinto Community College in Houston.

Against Tti, Chandra Eigenberger, Cali Havelka-Vanderplow, Amanda Kowalski and Channing Foster scored the four goals.

Foster found the back of the net again, against Fire & Ice SC, in the 88th minute, to give the Red Stars the regional championship.

Fire & Ice SC advance to championship weekend

Despite falling to the new Central Region champions, Fire & Ice SC will have another opportunity to defend its title.

The club will head to Oklahoma to feature in the championship matches. The Illinois-based club will face Seattle Sounders Women in the semifinals. Seattle defeated LA Villa FC and FC Tucson to advance to the championship weekend matches.

Fire & Ice SC defeated FC Dallas on Saturday, 4-0, before facing the Red Stars Reserves. After Saturday’s match, Lindsey Eversmeyer, Fire & Ice SC coach and general manager, said that the biggest challenge has been dealing with a new type of weather.

“I feel like we have a target on our back since we were the champions,” Eversmeyer said. “We always want to be better than last year, and that’s a challenge. I think my team is up for it. They’re just happy to be here.”

Kailey Utley scored two goals in Saturday’s victory, and Rachel Tejada and Hannah May Kimsey followed up with a goal each. In goal, Kindra Lierz recorded the shutout.

Tyler Powell, head coach of FC Dallas, called Fire & Ice SC a good team.

“It was a good opportunity for our players, with seven of the 14 still in high school,” Powell said.

No matter what happens in the final, Eversmeyer said she’s proud of what her team has accomplished already.

“Win or lose, we’ve done good things and had a successful season,” Eversmeyer said. “That’s all we can ask for.”