Game 1: Region 1 88/89 vs. Ohio Elite Soccer Academy, OH (2-1); 30 minute halves

 

Starting Line-up:

 

                                    Farrell McClernon        Genna Brand

                       

                                                Meghan Klingenberg

 

                        Kasey Richards                                                Molly Franklin

 

                                                Bianca D'Agostino

 

            Justine Wollner Ashley Moore              Hannah Cerrone           Teresa Rynier

 

                                                            Lauren Brown

 

Subs:   Katie Schoepfer

            Nicole Weiss

            Skyy Anderson

            Rachel Schuyler

 

Conditions: Mid 70's, mix of sun and clouds

 

Technical Report:

 

Entering the tournament with one true defender in Hannah Cerrone, many of the players were challenged with playing a wide variety of positions.  One of our top strikers, Ashley Moore, was quickly identified as a leader of the team and consequently was assigned to central defender and organizer of the defense in the first match.  She embraced her new position and wore the captain's band while working to quickly find her way in the back.  Within 5 minutes her comfort level increased and her leadership ability was challenged as she attempted to create a unified back four.  Meanwhile, offensively, Molly Franklin was able to get in behind the opponents back four several time in first 7 minutes but was unable to deliver a serve dangerous enough to give us our first opportunity on goal.  Ohio's first good chance came 7:30 into the first period when a striker was slotted through the gap between our two central defenders only to be chased down and stripped by Ashley Moore on a recovery run that highlighted her pace and athleticism.  Moments later Kacey Richards was played wide down the left flank where she collected the ball and delicately placed it over the GK's head to the far post just under the crossbar to give Region 1 a 1-0 advantage.  The first half continued with back and forth action with Ohio working to capitalize on Region 1's inability to stay organized in the back.  Defensive breakdowns continued to occur mostly when two of our four defenders would get involved in the attack leaving us vulnerable to a counterattack.  Hannah often displayed her ability to get forward in the attack but was struggling to recognize the best times to do so.  As a result, the decision was made to move her to the outside back position while moving Justine central in hopes of giving Hannah some more freedom to come forward.  Unfortunately, this tactical decision was matched by Ohio's decision to move to a 3-4-3 (from a 4-4-2) which greatly limited Hannah's opportunities to get involved in the attack.  The first half ended 1-0 Region 1.

 

The halftime talk stressed the importance of the role of communication defensively.  In the second half the leadership role in the back was turned over to Meghan Klingenberg who would assume the central defender role in an effort to get Ashley up top where she is most effective.  Unfortunately the defensive personnel switch proved costly 9 minutes into the second half when Ohio's striker was slipped through and beat Nicole Weiss low to equalize at a goal a piece.  Fortunately, Region I responded only 7 minutes later at the 16 minute mark when Teresa Rynier, now playing right midfielder, plowed through the 18 with the ball tight to her foot only to be chopped down in an attempt to beat the final defender.  Ashley calmly stepped up and struck the ball to the keeper’s right to finish the PK and put Region 1 back on top 2-1 with only 14 minutes remaining.   

 

Player(s) of the match: Ashley Moore, Kacey Richards

 

Match 2: Region 1 88/89 vs. Michigan Hawks 88, MI (3-0); 30 minute halves

 

Starting Line-Up:

 

                        Katie Schoepfer/Genna Brand  Ashley Moore/Farrell McClernon

 

                                                            Justine Wollner

 

                        Kacey Richards                                                            Skyy Anderson

 

                                                            Bianca D'Agostino

 

Rachel Schuyler            Molly Franklin  Meghan Klingenberg     Hannah Cerrone                                              

 

                                    Nicole Weiss

 

Conditions: Mid 70's, cloudy, heavy crosswind

 

Technical Report:

 

Ashley Moore's quick feet and explosive step was contrasted on the front line with Katie Schoepfer's size and strength in hopes of securing an early lead in game two.  The more aggressive attacking strategy paid almost paid off eight minutes in when Justine Wollner played a lovely ball over the top to Katie running on only to be denied by a terrific save by Michigan's keeper to keep the game scoreless.  Four minutes later, at the 12 minute mark, Kacey Richards bent a ball in behind Michigan's back four which found its way to Farrell's foot who dribbled the GK and tucked it home far post to take the lead 1-0.  Two and half minutes later Hannah Cerrone, who had established herself as an offensive threat coming out of the back, made a spectacular run forward and struck a ball from 30 yards which soared into the back of the net.  Region I continued to dominate in the waning minutes of the half and with five minutes remaining Katie delicately threaded a ball through to Farrell who beat the keeper low for her second goal of the day and a 3-0 lead. 

 

The second half Region I continued to have their way with a slower, less talented Michigan team but was unable to capitalize on their numerous opportunities.  Midway through the half Ashley Moore slipped through their back four and was denied by a great save by the GK.  Katie followed this up with a near miss over the top of an open net.  The game ended 3-0 without a real threat on goal by Michigan in either half.

 

Player(s) of the match: Farrell McClernon, Hannah Cerrone, Justine Wollner, Molly Franklin

 

Match 3: Region I 88/89 vs. Countryside Lightning, FL (1-2); 30 minute halves

 

Starting Line-up:

 

                        Farrell McClernon/Genna Brand           Genna Brand/Katie Schoepfer

           

                                                            Bianca D'Agostino/

                                                            Molly Franklin

 

 

Molly Franklin/                                                                                     Teresa Rynier/

Kacey Richards                                                                                                skyy Anderson

 

                                                            Meghan Klingenberg                

 

 

 

Hannah Cerrone                       Justine Wollner                         Ashley Moore              Rachel Schuyler/

                                                                                                                        Teresa Rynier

 

                                                            Lauren Brown/Nicole Weiss

 

Conditions: Mid 70's, mix of sun and clouds

 

Technical Report:

 

Each team entered into the final match of round-robin play with a 2-0 record therefore creating a must win situation for both teams in order to play through to the next round.  With this in mind, a decision was made to secure the backfield in the first half by starting Ashley Moore at central defender.  Early on in the half FL, playing a 4-4-2 formation with a sweeper, came on very aggressive.  The play was mostly in Region I's defensive end until seven minutes into the game when we created the first good chance on goal.  This came off of a corner by Hannah which was volleyed just wide by Bianca.  FL continued to threaten but was unable to create any solid scoring opportunities thanks to the solid play of Region I's back four and strong goalkeeping by Lauren Brown.  At the 13:50 mark Region I went up 1-0 against the run of play when Justine grabbed the ball for a quick restart.  Just around midfield, she quickly distributed the ball wide to Rachel Schuyler streaking forward out of the backline and put a lovely ball across to Molly for a one time pass to Farrell.  For her third goal of the tournament, Farrell collected the ball around the 18 and calmly slotted the ball past the FL goalkeeper.  However, this did not slow down the FL attack as they continued to press forward in hopes of gaining the equalizer before halftime.  At the 21:00 minute mark, FL struck a set piece which caught the Region I team disorganized leaving FL’s left midfielder wide open around 10 yards from goal.  Lauren Brown's spectacular reaction save preserved the 1-0 lead and fortunately the rebound was drilled over the top by another unmarked FL player.  A few minutes later Florida's persistence paid off when their central midfield turned at the top of the 18 and, with Hannah pressuring a bit too far to deny the shot, she was able to bury it far post to tie the score at one goal apiece.

 

Only 1:30 into the second half Nikki Weiss tipped a ball over the crossbar to create a corner kick for FL.  Unfortunately, the combination of poor marking and poor goalkeeping put FL ahead 1-2 off the corner kick.  The well struck corner sailed to the middle of the six yard line to a player standing unmarked who calmly knocked it home.  With a 1-2 lead Florida seemed to settle a bit leaving room for the Region I team to react and equalize.  With 15 minutes remaining Ashley, Farrell and Justine were put up top in a 3-4-3 and put Florida's back four under a tremendous amount of pressure.  Shots were abundant but serious scoring opportunities were few.  Florida reacted to this onslaught with a "double sweeper" as announced by the opposing coach and hoped to hang on to their lead for the remaining minutes.  Unfortunately, the whistle blew just in time for Florida which meant the end of the tournament for the Region I team.

 

Player(s) of the match: Lauren Brown, Justine Wollner, Ashley Moore