Parks, Kugler earn gold at World Maccabiah Games – DailyNorthShore

PRESS BOX: SOCCER

Emma Parks of Winnetka and David Kugler of Glencoe came home with the gold.

Competing in the prestigious 20th World Maccabiah Games in Israel, Parks helped the USA win the U18 girls soccer championship last month.

Kugler, a midfielder, picked up his gold medal as a member of USA’s U16 boys soccer team.

Parks and her teammates lived up their billing. They went into the competition as the favorites. The team, which didn’t allow a goal in round robin or medal play, defeated Israel 2-0 in the championship.

Meanwhile, Kugler and Company shocked a talented international field. The team, which lost 4-0 to Israel in its opener, battled back in fine fashion, winning six straight games. The USA capped things off with a thrilling 3-2 double overtime win over Brazil in the final.

It was breakthrough performance for the USA. Prior to this summer, a US U16 boys soccer team had never earned a medal at the World Maccabia Games.

Kugler, who plays for Sockers FC Chicago, will be a junior at New Trier this fall.

Parks, a member of the Wilmette Wings U16 Premier team, played on NT’s freshman A squad last spring.