Mitchell Soccer Association Sees Record Growth in Youth Programs, Hosting Third Annual Cornicopia Tournament

MITCHELL — The Mitchell Soccer Association continues to expand opportunities for young athletes, with record participation in its youth programs and a growing reputation across South Dakota for developing players and fostering community engagement through the sport.

Youth Soccer League Sees Strong Fall Participation

With the fall Youth Soccer League season recently concluding, the MSA reported 128 young athletes competing across age groups from under-four through under-eight boys and girls. The participation numbers signal continued momentum for an organization focused on building a pipeline from grassroots play into its competitive traveling programs.

For Mitchell Soccer Association president Scott Mullenmeister, the growth represents more than just increased roster numbers. “We really strive to not just promote the game of soccer, but we’re also promoting the things that you gain from participation in youth sports, whether that is confidence, friendships that are made, and there’s a lot of character development that occurs in that process,” Mullenmeister said. “First and foremost, our primary goal is just to kind of give the kids opportunities to develop character, while learning a sport that they hopefully love to play.”

The MSA operates as a non-profit serving Mitchell and surrounding communities, offering both competitive and recreational soccer for athletes ages 4-19. Traveling games and tournaments are available for players U9-U19, while the youth league provides an entry point for younger athletes or those who prefer not to travel.

Cornicopia Soccer Tournament Draws Record Field

The MSA’s third annual Cornicopia Soccer Tournament, held at the Pepsi-Cola Soccer Complex, welcomed a record-best 69 teams from across South Dakota, surpassing last year’s 52 squads. The event served as the final fall competition for the Mitchell Youth Soccer League.

The Competitive Soccer League within the MSA, featuring players from under-12 through under-19, will wrap its fall season on Sunday, Oct. 18.

Dakota Wesleyan Partnership Boosts Youth Coaching

One of the most impactful developments in recent years has been the MSA’s partnership with Dakota Wesleyan University’s men’s and women’s soccer programs. DWU players now help coach younger athletes, providing additional instruction while bringing college-level experience into the community.

“We’re very lucky to have the parent volunteers to help with coaching, but recently, we have also partnered with the DWU soccer programs. We’ve got a lot of them helping coach the YSL programs, especially on the men’s side,” Mullenmeister said. “That has gone over really well. They’re just doing a fantastic job with the little kids, and they have really injected another level of energy into the program at that level.”

Board Leadership and Winter Season Registration

Mullenmeister credited the association’s board members as a key factor behind the MSA’s ability to host large events like the Cornicopia tournament and sustain programmatic growth. “We have a really good set of board members,” he said. “I really can’t do what I do and continue to grow the programs and run these successful tournaments without those dedicated board members.”

The MSA will keep young athletes active this winter with its 2026-27 Youth Soccer League season, running Nov. 9 through Feb. 28 for age groups U10 through U19. Registration is open Sept. 27 through Oct. 10, with the U10 Youth Soccer League Academy priced at $100 and U12-U19 programs at $120. Late registration runs Oct. 11-24 with a $25 late fee; no registrations will be accepted after Oct. 24.

“We were super happy with the turnout this fall, and we just want to continue to spread the word about the MSA and what we have to offer to the youth not only in Mitchell, but the surrounding areas, as well,” Mullenmeister said. “We have probably one of the most beautiful grass soccer complexes in the state, and we recognize that and want to grow and continue to develop young kids here in Mitchell.”

Looking Ahead

As the MSA enters its winter session, the organization remains focused on expanding access to soccer for youth across the region. With strong board support, university partnerships, and growing community interest, the association is positioning itself as a cornerstone of youth sports development in southeastern South Dakota.

Trey Houchin is a sports reporter for the Mitchell Republic. Houchin graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in sports media. He can be reached at thouchin@mitchellrepublic.com.

Sports, Communities, Youth Soccer, Mitchell South Dakota, Dakota Wesleyan University, Cornicopia Soccer Tournament, Pepsi-Cola Soccer Complex, Youth Development, Nonprofit Organizations, Local News, Positive