ECNL Girls Florida National Event March 2023: Day 3 Recap

The final day of ECNL Florida featured some compelling games all around the fields at Premier Sports Campus. Here is a breakdown of some of the exciting matchups from throughout the final day.

(Day 1 Recap | Day 2 Recap)

South Carolina United vs Charlotte Independence 1-0

At the 08 age group on Sunday, South Carolina United used a late goal off a free kick to sneak out a 1-0 win over Charlotte Independence in a game that was tightly contested throughout.

The first half of the game proved to be a defensive battle, with both teams equally controlling most of the possession, and making it difficult for the opposition to get many scoring opportunities.

In the second half, the game began to open up more. Both teams saw excellent chances, with the best looks coming from a South Carolina free kick and a sequence where Charlotte Independence had an outstanding chance from inside the box, but were unable to find the back of the net.

[+READ: Players That Impressed: ECNL Girls Spring 2023 Florida National Event]

With the game winding down in the final minutes, South Carolina got a free kick opportunity from the top of the box. Ella Petry struck a left footed shot and placed it perfectly into the upper corner to give South Carolina United the 1-0 victory.

“From that distance we know Ella can do it,” said South Carolina United Head Coach Tomasz Kluszczynski. “She wants the ball in the big moments, that was a big moment, and it was a screamer.”

Kluszczynski was also extremely proud of his team’s defensive effort, after not allowing a goal all weekend.

“I’m really pleased with my group because they fought hard. Three clean sheets all weekend, two wins and a draw, we can’t ask for more.”

Indiana Fire vs Florida Premier 4-0

Also in the 08 age group, Indiana Fire defeated Florida Premier 4-0, led by a hat trick from Adalyn Cameron.

Indiana Fire got on the board first on a goal from a corner kick. Florida Premier held strong defensively for most of the game and had some good opportunities of their own, especially in the second half, but then Cameron took over.

She scored three times in the final 25 minutes of the game, including an amazing finish where she dribbled around two defenders, and then completed her hat trick on a penalty kick in the 79th minute to propel Indiana Fire to the win.

“Across the board, all 18 players made a significant contribution today,” said Indiana Fire Head Coach Joe Sochacki.

Sochacki believes the results this weekend could build some positive momentum as they move forward into conference play.

“We open up conference play next weekend against Internationals and Cleveland Force. Hopefully, this springboards us into a really positive spring.”

WNY Flash vs CESA Liberty 1-1

In the 06 age group, WNY Flash rallied from a goal down to earn a 1-1 draw with CESA Liberty.

Both sides had some good scoring opportunities in the opening half, but it took until the second half for CESA to open the scoring in the game.

WNY Flash increased the pressure in an attempt to find the tying goal. Midway through the second half, Wrianna Hudson got past the CESA defense and was able to find the back of the net to knot things up at 1-1.

WNY Flash had some good opportunities to find the game winner at the end, but the CESA defense held strong, behind some good saves, and the game finished level at 1-1.

“We’re happy that we were able to respond,” said WNY Flash Head Coach Eric Dade. “It’s good for us that we had to fight through a little adversity and figure it out.”

Overall, Dade thought both sides put together strong performances, and noted that historically it is a close game when they meet up with CESA.

“It’s a team that we’re very familiar with. We’ve been matched up with them at a few showcases and it’s always a close game,” Dade said. “It was a midfield battle, kind of box to box where it was just a lot of work. So, I would credit both midfields for a good performance on a hot day, but in the end it’s a fair result.”