2008 Region 1 stories
by John Parolin
The Calm Before the Storm
Opening Ceremonies
The Art of Multi-tasking
Making An Impact
Just One of the Girls
Keystone State of Euphoria
Rain Men
The Best of the Best
Homeward Bound
The Calm Before the Storm
Coaches and managers descended upon the Wyndham Hotel to register for the 2008 U.S. Youth Soccer Region 1 Championships on Thursday, June 26
It would have been easy for someone in Peter Succoso’s position to be a little overwhelmed upon entering the Wyndham Hotel in Portland, Maine, on Thursday afternoon.
Succoso, the manager and assistant coach of DE United FC’s U-17 boys team, had just completed the long ride from Delaware to Maine, and entered the hotel to register his state champions for the 2008 U.S. Youth Soccer Region 1 Championships. But while others stood in the lobby, asking directions and conversing with each other, Succoso knew where he was headed. He strode right down the hallway to the left of the lobby.
“This was our third consecutive state championship,” Succoso said. “We lost the bracket as U-15s, finished second as U-16s, and are excited to be back.”
Succoso was just one of 272 sets of coaching staffs responsible for checking in their teams during the registration period on Thursday, June 26. The first stop for every team competing in the tournament was the Wyndham lobby, where the final paperwork was checked and filed before play began on Friday.
The lobby featured a number of additional tables that attracted interest outside the registration room. Tickets were available for a Saturday lobster bake, and a representative from the 2010 World Cup was on hand to promote the tournament and host country South Africa. Also, housing officials were on hand to assist with referee housing and other travel accomodations.
Coaches brought player passes and medical release forms to the check-in tables, where the tournament’s distinctive official blue rosters were handed in. After registering, coaches picked up a box of materials for their team. Inside, sponsors both nationally and locally provided the players with bag labels, dogtags, tournament pins, nutrition bars, tournament programs, lollipops, local brochures, and more.
The table for the team boxes just happened to be next to a table with far more desirable contents. The trophies for each division were on display at registration, ready to call a new state home for the next 12 months. Coaches couldn’t help but notice their presence during registration as a constant reminder of the purpose of the visit.
Registration ended with a coaches meeting. Coaches and administrators were required to sit in on a meeting with Soccer Maine President Ray White and Region 1 Committee Member Adele Dolansky. The meeting went smoothly, as most coaches were just ready for the games to begin. After a few questions revolving around traffic flow and inclement weather, the meeting was over.
After the meeting, Succoso left to return to his team with the box of sponsor goodies. On the way out, the man at the registration table smiled and wished Succoso luck “in all five games this weekend.”
Succoso grinned and crossed his fingers. 271 other coaches know the feeling well.
Opening Ceremonies
272 teams from 13 states came together to celebrate the kickoff of the annual regional tournament held in 2008 in Portland, Maine.
After months of planning, the 2008 U.S. Youth Soccer Region 1 Championships began with the Opening Ceremonies on Thursday evening at both Hadlock and Fitzpatrick Stadiums in Portland, Maine. An estimated 8,000 people packed Fitzpatrick Stadium for the program, which featured the parade of teams and a series of speakers to kick off the tournament.
15 state associations sent a total of 272 teams to Maine from the 13 states that make up Region 1. Each state’s champions from U12 to U19 will compete from June 27-July 2 for the right to represent Region 1 at the National Championships in Little Rock, Arkansas.
The program began with the Saco Children’s Choir, who performed a number of songs for the crowd before the parade began. After the impressive performance, the teams processed by state into the stadium, waving banners and greeting the crowd with enthusiasm.
Many of the first-time competitors were impressed with the sight of a packed stadium cheering their every step. Eyes darted from section to section, searching for familiar faces while taking in the crowd and proceeding around the track to sit on the field in the middle.
Past participants knew what to expect from previous parades, and were ready for the thrill that comes with entering the stadium. These teams were noticeably relaxed during their entrance, and enjoyed taking in the familiar moments. Maine entered first as the host state, while West Virginia proceeded second, as they will host the 2009 Region 1 tournament. After that, the states entered alphabetically, from Connecticut to Virginia, followed by the tournament referees.
Teams waved flags, brandished banners, and, in one instance, donned pink personalized crowns for their trip across the track.
After the teams entered and sat down, the Saco Children’s Choir returned to sing “The Star Spangled Banner,” as introduced by the master of ceremonies, Soccer Maine President Ray White. White then addressed the crowd, thanking the staff and volunteers for their hard work and preparation for the tournament before turning the microphone over to Regional Director Bob Palmeiro.
Palmeiro echoed White’s thankful sentiments, and reminded the players and coaches to have fun over the course of the weekend. Additionally, Palmeiro expressed his appreciation for the referees in attendance, and applauded their hard work as well.
John Richardson, Maine’s Commissioner of Economic Development, enjoyed the proceedings and urged players to remember why they play. He displayed a clear enthusiasm for the tournament, and was happy to welcome visitors to the state for the weekend. Portland Mayor Edward Suslovic was proud to welcome the delegations to his city, and wished luck to all the participants.
Then the crowd was treated to a pair of United States soccer stars. Abby Wambach, three-time U.S. Player of the Year, told the participants to “Succeed in your own way. Make it your own.” She promoted both the new women’s professional league (WPS) and the upcoming Beijing Olympics, and wished luck to all the participants.
Dante Washington, MLS veteran and United States international player, offered some simple advice to the competitors in attendance.
“Congratulations, soak it in, enjoy it, and win,” Washington said.
The program ended with a presentation from representatives from South Africa, site of the 2010 World Cup. The delegates sent a loud and clear message: South Africa is ready and excited to host the Cup, and there are many people already striving to ensure it will be the best World Cup Tournament ever.
After some closing remarks from White, the evening was over. The teams and their families filed out of the stadium and headed back to their respective hotels after a successful evening celebrating their achievements in “the beautiful game.” But while Thursday brought celebrations of past accomplishments, Friday will bring with it kickoff, and a swift reminder of why they all made the trip.
The Art of Multi-tasking
April Ross has been multitasking for years, especially during the past year as Executive Director of Soccer Maine. She is no stranger to a busy schedule, and even recently finished running a state camp before the Region 1 tournament this weekend. She has been a huge part of planning the Region 1 tournament this year, while balancing other duties in a number of other capacities. Clearly, Ross has experience with a busy schedule.
But this is crazy.
In addition to Ross’s responsibilities to the tournament, she is finding the time to keep tabs on not one, not two, but three children on separate teams all competing this weekend. Even worse, all three will compete on the three different facilities hosting the tournament this weekend. The best part? Ross seems to think she can see most, if not all, of the games.
“With kids at all three locations, it’s going to be quite challenging,” said Ross. “Luckily the times don’t overlap.”
“It’s good because I’m a floater,” said Ross. “I’m in crisis control of sorts, so whatever comes up, they call me.”
Ross will start her days in the mornings with her son Sean, who is playing in the Region 1 tournament for the fourth consecutive year. Sean plays for Maine Coastal United Moxie, the Maine boys U-15 representative, and has been scheduled in the mornings for all three days. For Ross, that seems like a good time to check in on the facilities at the Wainwright Field Complex.
Youngest daughter Anne plays games in the middle of the day for Maine’s girls U-12 champions, Maine Costal United Firecrackers, at Falmouth High School. That gives Ross a chance to check in on the high school complex, troubleshooting problems that require her attention.
Oldest daughter Kylie plays on the Maine U-16 girls state champions, Maine Metro. They competed in the afternoons at Bowdoin College, where the U-16 and up age groups play their preliminary round games. Ross gets to all three fields in a given day, maintaining her responsibilities for the tournament while still catching her children’s games.
“It’s really exciting,” said Ross. “I love it being in Maine. It’s a beautiful setting, and will help stimulate the economy.”
“This is my fourth Region 1 tournament,” added Ross.
Many of the Region 1 veterans working this tournament know the problems Ross faces. Frank Lemanski, Parking and Fields Director at Falmouth High School for the tournament, even went through a period of nine consecutive years where his children played in the Region 1 tournament.
However, to have three children playing at three facilities while still balancing a working schedule?
“It’s going to be challenging,” Ross reiterated with a smile.
No kidding.
Making An Impact
The 2008 U.S. Youth Soccer Region 1 Championships offer a rare opportunity for college coaches to see the best players the Northeast has to offer. And they’re paying close attention.
“Take your game to the next level.”
That’s a mantra used by countless soccer camps, coaching staffs, player products, and other amenities available to the serious soccer player. But really, what is the next level?
For many of the participants at the 2008 U.S. Youth Soccer Region 1 Championships, tangible evidence of the next level can be seen right next to their bench.
Dozens of college scouts will carefully watch the competition this weekend, searching for the next piece to add to their successful programs. At one point, between 30-40 scouts had strategically positioned themselves between fields at Bowdoin College to catch a pair of girls U-16 preliminary round matchups. For scouts in the Northeast, it just doesn’t get much more important then this.
“There are only so many times a year this kind of talent is in one place,” said Anthony Adams, assistant coach at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. “It’s logistically impossible to get anywhere else to see the concentration of talent here.”
“I would imagine every school on the East Coast is represented here,” Adams said.
There was evidence to support that claim on Friday. Coaches and scouts from far and wide took in the action on Friday, including schools from as far away as Florida, Texas, and Georgia. For Florida State University Women’s Head Coach Mark Krikorian, these tournaments are extremely important for programs of all sizes.
“It’s important to get the best in the Northeast all in one place here and in the beautiful Maine weather, too,” Krikorian said. “We’ve had some success with Region 1 in the past, and have been able to get good kids here in the Northeast.”
Schools of all sizes were on hand, from Division I schools like the University of Texas, Rutgers, Indiana, Villanova, and Auburn to the slightly smaller but competitive programs at Marist, Bowdoin, and Assumption College. The size discrepancy is no issue for Assumption, because their location (Worcester, Massachusetts) enables them to check out many Region 1 players well before the tournament.
“We kind of have a leg up on all the local kids because we get to see them in the spring play in our area,” said Assumption College Women’s Assistant Coach Kristin Cannon. “But then again, when we go to a place like Florida, we are a little behind.”
“The majority of our kids are from the Northeast,” Cannon said. “We will usually find players that can make an impact on the team here and there.”
Much of scouting is specifically oriented to players that have reciprocated interest in programs who have contacted them in the past. Also, scouts tend to focus on very specific age groups.
“Most of the U-19s and U-18s are spoken for,” said Adams. “Most of us are here for specific U-17 players, U-16 games to narrow from the general pool, and U-15 games to get a leg up on next year.”
Coaches understand the importance of tournaments like this one. For Pat Kennedy, assistant men’s soccer coach at the United States Naval Academy, tournaments like this are an annual affair.
“This is my fifth Region 1 tournament,” said Kennedy. “I go to the Region 1 and 2 tournaments every year, while Head Coach Rich Miranda goes to the Region 3 and 4 tournaments.”
“Between the two of us, we’ve seen the best teams in all 50 states,” said Kennedy.
As a veteran of the regional tournament circuit, Kennedy praised the opportunity that each regional tournament has to offer a collegiate soccer program.
“Even with development academies expanding and the United States Soccer Federation deciding where they want to invest, we would always go to a tournament like this,” Kennedy said. “Everyone needs places to play, and this is a great recruiting event.”
“We tend to know the Region 1 players the best because we see them the most, as we do a lot of recruiting directly out of Region 1 due to our location in Annapolis (Maryland),” said Kennedy.
Success stories abound from Region 1 across collegiate soccer. The defending men’s national champions, Wake Forest University, boast six players from Region 1 states, while the University of North Carolina, defending women’s national champions, takes a third of their 30-player roster from Region 1.
Players from Region 1 have made a significant impact in the past on the college soccer world. The key for scouts this weekend is to find out which players from this tournament will make that same impact in the future.
Just One of the Girls
United States star striker Abby Wambach spoke at the U.S. Youth Soccer Region 1 Championships in Portland, Maine, showing participants just how far a little talent and a lot of hard work can take them.
“Hey guys, I’m Abby.”
The 18 members of Odyssey Sport 97 didn’t particularly need the introduction. Judging from the looks on their faces, the champions of Maine’s U-14 girls division needed no help recognizing Abby Wambach.
The star striker spoke with the team at Hadlock Stadium in Portland, Maine, prior to her appearance at the 2008 U.S. Youth Soccer Region 1 Championships, where she spoke to the tournament participants before addressing players, coaches, and families at the tournament’s opening ceremonies.
Wambach’s appearance had multiple purposes. She promoted both WPS, the new women’s professional soccer league, and the United States Women’s National Team’s upcoming gold medal defense at the Beijing Olympics. Many female tournament participants were stunned to realize that in as little as three, four, or five years they could find themselves on the field against Abby in WPS.
“We appreciate your support as we get ready for the Olympics,” Wambach told the crowd in her address. “Hopefully, we will represent the United States well and make you all proud.”
Fresh off the United States’ victory in the Peace Queen Cup, Wambach emphasized the role that hard work played in helping her reach her goals. Wambach also expressed how important appearances like this one are to her personally.
“I’ve been in these girls’ shoes,” Wambach said. “When I was young, we had role models like Mia (Hamm) and Julie (Foudy). I think it’s cool for them to see firsthand where soccer can take them.”
Wambach gave a lot of credit for where she is today to those who played before her. She recalled the example set by Hamm and Foudy, and how crucial they were in advancing women’s soccer.
“Mia and Julie didn’t have these events growing up, and they would pull over at tournaments just to wave and show their face,” Wambach said. “Grassroots efforts are really, really, important, both philosophically and to publicize our events.”
“Appearances like this are the reason why the 1999 World Cup was so successful,” Wambach said.
This initial appearance began simply enough, as Wambach’s modest introduction yielded nothing but awed silence from Odyssey Sport. She engaged the team in conversation about their season and upcoming tournament, and slowly the team warmed enough to talk. Before long, Wambach seemed to fit right in, even asking how a particular player wore her lengthy locks on the field.
For 14-year-old Kiersten Turner, meeting Wambach was a great experience.
“It was cool being around her,” said Turner. “I’ve seen her on TV, and she’s a great player and a good role model.”
“She is proof that it’s possible to get to where she’s at, if you work hard to get there,” Turner said.
Wambach reminded each fan that her accomplishments all started with a goal, and signed each autograph with that inspirational reminder. “Dream Big” accompanied each signature, adorning cleats, jerseys, bags, balls, hats, and just about anything else her fans could get their hands on.
“She was in our shoes before she started,” said Katilyn Coburn, 14 and a teammate of Turner’s. “Getting to meet her was awesome.”
Turner agreed.
“It was cool that we got to talk to her,” Turner said. “She was just so normal.”
Keystone State of Euphoria
Lower Merion Velez (Eastern Pennsylvania) defeated Coastal Thunder (Maine) in a penalty shootout to claim the boys U-16 regional crown Tuesday afternoon in front of approximately 2,000 local fans.
Julien Aoyama was nervous.
How could he not be? 110 minutes of soccer ending in a 0-0 deadlock in 90 degree heat in front of 2,000-plus people, all cheering for the other team, wasn’t exactly a scenario Aoyama could practice for. As the game went into the penalty shootout, Aoyama, the captain and central defender for U-16 Lower Merion Velez (EPA), was selected for the fifth and potentially final kick. Aoyama felt fortunate to even be in that position.
“They dominated the whole game,” Aoyama said. “We were afraid they would score.”
As he sat and waited with his teammates for his chance from the spot, Aoyama was just trying to keep his head about him.
“I was trying to shake the nervousness and try and do what I had to do,” Aoyama said. “I was playing on two injured ankles and was sick during the game.”
And what a game it was. Maine and Eastern Pennsylvania played a contest worthy of the championships. Scoring chances in regulation were few and far between, due mainly to the caliber of each team’s backfields. Maine had the better of the run of play for much of the game, but couldn’t crack Pennsylvania goalkeeper Aidan Gallagher or his defense for the score. For Maine, Ben Brewster and Kyle Lucas truly stood out with their defensive play. No two players on the field Tuesday were better at thwarting attacks and then creating their own then Brewster and Lucas, and it took equally impressive play from Aoyama and his defense to keep Maine off the score sheet.
The first overtime was conservative at best. The heat, noticeably affecting players on both teams, hampered offensive creativity, while overlapping runs became less frequent, and play became less possession-oriented. Players began cramping up, and the trainers were busy under the midday sun.
Maine had multiple chances to break through in the second extra time, as Gabe Hoffman-Johnson had a point-blank chance, but Gallagher came out to deny the finish. Both goalkeepers were spectacular when needed on the afternoon, as Olutolani Ibikunle had Lower Merion’s best chance of the day. His right-footed blast from 25 yards out in the first half looked destined for the net. However, Maine’s Peter Morrell dove high to his right and got enough of the ball to keep it out of the net, and the rebound was cleared.
After two halves and two more overtime periods, the game would be decided from the spot. Each team scrambled to field a lineup of their five best options, and the crowd became silent.
The first three shots found net, and, as he waited for Maine’s second attempt, Gallagher recalled the goalkeeper’s role in a shootout.
“Just make one save and you’re good,” Gallagher said. “It was pretty obvious where he was going, but it was a great shot though. I read him, watched his eyes, his whole body expression… It’s a mind game between goalkeeper and shooter.”
Gallagher denied the penalty, diving low to his right to parry the ball wide of danger and putting Maine’s national championship dreams on life support. But Morrell had plans of his own.
Milton Nico of Eastern Pennsylvania stepped into the box to take his penalty, and fired a mid-height rocket to the goalkeeper’s left. By all accounts, it was a well-struck penalty, but, unfortunately for Nico, Morrell guessed correctly. Hurtling through the air, Morrell’s acrobatic save was met with an eruption from those in attendance. Racous cheering, airhorns, even a cowbell- Maine’s supporters were thrilled to see their hopes revived. And when Gabe Hoffman-Johnson nailed his successive penalty, the score stood tied at two with two shooters remaining.
The next shooter for Lower Merion was unfazed. Sean McIntyre drilled his shot mid-height to the right, the same exact shot Nico hit, but with a luckier result. Morrell’s guess was off, and the lead was Pennsylvania’s to stay. The next Maine shooter struck his penalty high over the bar, and the stage was set for Aoyama’s dramatic moment.
As for Aoyama’s penalty? Calm, cool, and collected- you would never have guessed he was nervous, injured, and sick. His clinical strike sent Lower Merion into a well-earned frenzy. They have a little time to celebrate as well, as nationals don’t begin until July 22 in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Any change in strategy? Any dramatic plans for American youth soccer’s greatest stage?
“(We’ll play there) the same way we got here,” said Gallagher with a smile. “Try really hard.”
Rain Men
Matt Tyrie’s late free kick capped a comeback for Maryland, earning a rain-soaked draw against Eastern New York, and pushing them forward to the semifinals Monday against Eastern Pennsylvania.
Baltimore Bays 91 (BU-17 Maryland Champions) Head Coach Anthony Adams set a specific goal for his team before the tournament started: Watch the European Championships Final, as a team, in their hotel, with the semifinals to look forward to.
But in order to do that, they had to force a draw with Albertson ’90 Academy (Eastern New York Champions), in a game that featured clutch goals, physical defense, multiple bookings, quality play, a spectacular late equalizer, and the intensity of a must-win situation. And that was only the last ten minutes.
Baltimore rode the right foot of Matt Tyrie into the boys U-17 semifinals Sunday, after Tyrie’s late free kick tied the game at 2-2 and knocked Albertson out of the 2008 U.S. Youth Soccer Region 1 Championships.
Tyrie lined up a free kick from 20 yards away and hit a rocket, bending it around and down behind Albertson’s four-man wall and beating keeper Jason Carvajal to earn Baltimore a semifinal berth and Tyrie his second free kick goal in as many days. Memo to FC Delco, Baltimore’s semifinal oppenent: Should Tyrie line up Monday from 30 yards or closer, put an extra man on the right edge of the wall.
“I hit one just like that yesterday too,” said Tyrie, whose goal-of-the-tournament strike capped a furious second half comeback.
After falling behind 2-0, Baltimore responded with two goals in the last ten minutes. After James Nugent cut the lead in half with a partial breakaway goal, Baltimore’s sustained offensive pressure resulted in the free kick equalizer.
“I told them there was no way I wanted to see them quit,” said Adams. “Just get the first goal, and the second will come.”
Baltimore held a slight edge in the first half of the game, generating multiple scoring opportunities on the wings. Desean Ragland and Josh Chelleh controlled the flanks and created multiple scoring chances for the Bays, but couldn’t convert and entered halftime scoreless.
Then came the rain.
Torrential downpours swept over the complex at Bowdoin College. The deluge caused a 146-minute rain delay, and by the time the rains had ceased, there was a sizable puddle in one of the goals. It took an additional 20 minutes beyond the complex restart for volunteers to usher out the water using largely push brooms and trash lids, in what will be one of the lasting images of the tournament for any fortunate enough to witness.
“The same thing happened to us in the state cup finals,” said Adams. “There was a rain delay with 16 minutes left when we were up 2-1, and they scored a goal in added time after the delay.”
“We eventually won in penalties, but it was a valuable lesson,” said Adams.
Both teams were sluggish in the opening minutes of the second half. The conditions dictated many errant passes and botched first touches, but both teams settled down. Albertson struck first, when Andres Rios slotted a through ball to Donnie Anding, who broke the deadlock in the 66th minute. Patrick McCann doubled the lead minutes later, when his free kick from the wing beat John Connolly. Connolly was expecting cross, and McCann’s service went long and carried over his head and into the net.
Down 2-0 and needing a draw to go through, it would have been easy for Baltimore to lose heart.
“We knew we could come back,” said Tyrie. “We were confident that if we stayed together, good things would happen.”
And they did. After the draw, the coach called a very important team meeting back at the hotel to prepare for Monday’s semifinal. At that meeting, the team saw Spain beat Germany, 1-0, in the game they hoped to watch, and in just the way they wanted to watch it.
The Best of the Best
Two young Region 1 referees were recently honored for their work on and off the field at the U.S. Youth Soccer National Convention last February in Pittsburgh.
There were 170 referees invited to the 2008 U.S. Youth Soccer Region 1 Championships. Each referee was handpicked by their respective associations to represent their home state as the best officials each Region 1 state had to offer.
From these 170 referees, the best of the best in Region 1, two young officials stood out above the others.
Geoff Halberstadt (Eastern Pennsylvania) was named the 2007 Region 1 Young Male Referee of the Year, while Cassandra Ferrari (Virginia) was named the 2007 United States National Youth Soccer Young Female Referee of the Year.
The honor was bestowed upon the two at the Youth Soccer Awards Gala on Feb. 8 at the 2008 U.S. Youth Soccer National Convention in Pittsburgh in front of a collection of their peers. They were selected from their respective pools of eligible referees (18 years old and under).
“It’s an absolute honor to have it,” said Halberstadt. “There are many other deserving referees, and I am lucky to have it.”
The two award winners were first nominated by their states for the award, each standing out over hundreds of quality referees not only in performance on the field, but off it as well. Academic grades were taken into consideration, as was extracurricular employment and letters of recommendation from fellow referees, administrators, teachers, and others who know the nominees. After the selection at the state level, all of this information was arranged into a packet for regional considerations.
“It’s really more of an all-around award,” said Ferrari. “It’s a huge honor, and I was extremely surprised.”
“I don’t know how to thank everyone involved. From the teachers, fellow referees, and assessors to my family, I couldn’t have done it without them.”
Halberstadt said nothing has really changed since he received the award.
“I just go out and do the same job I always have done. The only thing that’s different is I take some extra ribbing from some of the other referees,” Halberstadt said with a smile.
Ferrari understood perfectly what Halberstadt was talking about.
“There’s definitely a lot more ribbing now,” said Ferrari. “The other referees like to poke fun, but in an encouraging way. It really pushes me harder to be a better official.”
Ferrari, a six-year officiating veteran (She began as an assistant referee at age 12 in her hometown of Fairfax, Virginia), has experienced new opportunities as a result of her award. She has been able to officiate higher level games, and work with more accomplished referees up and down the East Coast. Ferrari’s experiences will help her advance as a referee; a goal, she says, that she has had for awhile.
“I definitely plan on continuing to referee games,” Ferrari said. “I want to be one of those 40-year-olds out there, still blowing the whistle.”
Homeward Bound
The luck ran out for the girls U-17 McLean Freedom on Sunday, as seven points were not enough for the defending national champions to advance from group play.
A year ago, the McLean Freedom (GU-17 Virginia champions) were firing on all cylinders, dispatching foes left and right on their way to a girls U-16 national championship. Head coach Clyde Watson had built his side around an organized back line and an unrelenting attack, utilizing them both to win U.S. Youth Soccer’s greatest prize.
This year, McLean will watch the regional semifinals from the sidelines.
Watson’s team, decimated by injuries, still put together a remarkable performance at the regional tournament. Attacking midfielder Jenna Richmond, a member of the United States U-17 national team, tore her right ACL and has been out for several months, while captain and defensive stalwart Allison Nabatoff suffered a high ankle sprain and has missed almost a month, including the entire tournament.
“It’s been a tough year,” said Watson. “Despite all that happened, I’m still pretty pleased with the team.”
Despite outscoring opponents 18-3 and earning seven points in pool play, the team lost in the fourth tiebreaker (goals against) to Albertson Fury ’90 (Eastern New York) because of the three goals allowed.
“We didn’t expect to be here,” said Watson. “I mean, we are confident, but soccer’s a strange game.”
The team showed remarkable depth at two positions vacated by the injuries and central to the team’s two-way philosophy. All the backs filled in admirably, while Remi Gibba in particular shined for the McLean defense. The scoring was certainly not an issue for Virginia’s champions this weekend either, with Virginia Lumpkin and Laura Yu in particular picking up the slack. The Freedom attack was firing on all cylinders all weekend, each possession an organized and controlled onslaught on opposing defenses.
“I’ve always felt we had a good core,” said Watson. “For Allison and Jenna, it’s really been replacement by committee. Many players have played well to make up.”
Nowhere was this more evident then in Virginia’s last game, a decisive victory over West Virginia on Sunday evening, that saw Lumpkin score four goals before the 20th minute of play, and five overall before she was removed from the game.
“The game against West Virginia is what we strive for,” said Watson.
So how, then, is a team that played this well going home?
Massachusetts scored one goal in Virginia’s 3-1 victory on Friday. At the time, no one could have predicted that result would be the reason Virginia was going home. Also, give plenty of credit to Albertson’s defensive play, which held Massachusetts and West Virginia scoreless while earning a 2-2 draw with the defending national champions.
“We gave up a silly goal against Massachusetts,” Watson said, “and that’s why we’re going home.”
That’s what can happen in tournament play. A strange game, indeed.
