Girls Development Academy East Conference Recap: March 24-25, 2018

It was another action-packed weekend in the U.S. Soccer Girls Development Academy’s East Conference, as play heated up with top sides featuring all across the U-15, U-16/U-17, and U-18/U-19 age brackets.

U-15

Sky Blue PDA (14-1-4, 46 points) stayed at the top of the Atlantic Division with a 7-0 win over Washington Spirit Academy-Baltimore Armour (4-14-0, 12 points).  Sky Blue’s goals came from midfielders Brigitte Bussiere (26′), Kaydee Yallo (29′), Ashley Rainho (43′ and 46′), Arden MacNeil (80′), defender Katherine Coyle (75′), and forward Payton Uhrig (34′). Goalkeepers Maggie Ousouljoglou (50 minutes) and Abigail Brunell (30 minutes) combined for the club’s thirteenth shutout and third in as many matches.

Penn Fusion Soccer Academy (13-5-1, 40 points) kept up with Sky Blue with a win of their own, a 5-0 win over Washington Spirit Academy-Virginia (1-15-4, 7 points). PFA’s balanced attack has served them well this season, and stayed hot during this match with five different goalscorers finding the back of the net. Their goals came from forwards Alison McVey (12′), Emma Pelkowski (46′), Zoe Schutter (22′), and Margaret Peterson (43′) and midfielder Susanna Soderman (13′) pushing their season total to 47. Schutter leads all scorers with 11 on the season.

New York City FC (14-4-0, 52 points) expanded on their lead in the Northeast with a 3-1 win over Long Island SC (1-13-1, 4 points). They jumped out to a 3-0 lead before half with goals from Madeline Pirrello (2′ and 39′) and Luciana Latino (36′). In the second half, it was up to their defense to hold the advantage and earn the three points. They were more that up for the task with defender Cate Woolsey making several key clears to preserve the shutout.

Oakwood Soccer Club (10-6-2, 32 points) made up some ground on second place FC Fury NY (12-4-1, 37 points), who were idle, with a 2-1 win over Sky Blue: NYSC (3-9-4, 13 points).  Forward Delaney Farina gave Oakwood the advantage with her goal in the 13th minute. But Sky Blue was given the opportunity to make things level just before halftime after they were awarded a penalty kick in the 35th minute. Midfielder Fernanda Serna made the most of her chance, burying her shot into the back of the net to make it 1-1. Oakwood responded in the second half with forward Jaci Budaj finding the match-winner in the 53rd minute.

+READ: Girls Development Academy East Conference Recap | March 17-18, 2018

While they weren’t able to unseat Oakwood for third place, FC Stars (10-6-3, 33 points) did keep pace with their Northeast Division foes with a 4-0 win over Empire United (3-14-0, 9 points). The Stars goals were scored by forward Rory Clare (8′), defender Brooke Samborski (29′), and midfielders Jordan Juetten (36′) and Olivia Anderson (72′). Goalkeeper MaryKate Ward and defenders Samborski (80 minutes), Emma Bubonovich (80 minutes), Juliana Chiarella (80 minutes) and Samantha Mulder (39 minutes) worked together to help the side earn their eighth shutout of the season.

In the Southeast top of the table NTH Tophat (15-1-4, 49 points) escaped Orlando with a 2-2 draw against the Pride (10-9-3, 33 points). Tophat actually held the lead for most of the match with goals from Danielle Lewin (15′) and Cate Hardin (40′). But in the second half the Pride attack came alive creating several attacking chances, only to fall short by the slimmest of the margins. Their persistent effort paid off late though with a pair of goals from Zyandra Thomas (70′) and MacKenzie Anuska (77′). Saturday’s result was the third match in as many games (0-0-3, 3 points) that the Pride fell behind early but were able to procure a result late.

Tophat dropping points was just the news that Charlotte Soccer Academy (14-4-3, 45 points) wanted to hear as the club earned two victories on the weekend to tighten the top of the table. On Saturday the North Carolina-based side defeated the West Florida Flames (5-13-2, 17 points) 5-0. CSA took an early 2-0 lead with goals from Kelly Poole (25′) and Emma Sexton (32′). In the second half, they doubled their lead with goals from Rachel Poplin (65′) and Eliza Rich (69′).

On Sunday, CSA made it a perfect two-for-two with a 6-1 win over IMG Academy (1-20-1, 4 points). Poole (10′ and 59′), Sexton (40′), and Rich (25′ and 53′) all found the back of the net for CSA. Sexton’s goal pushed her season total to 10 which is tenth best among all U-15 East Conference players. CSA’s other goal was scored by Maria Manousos in the 36th minute. IMG’s goal came courtesy of Madison Shaffery in the 73rd minute.

Results 

Atlantic (All matches on 3/24)
Washington Spirit Academy: Baltimore Armour 0-Sky Blue PDA 7
Washington Spirit Academy: Virginia 0-Penn Fusion Soccer Academy 5

Northeast (All matches on 3/24)
Sky Blue: NYSC 1-Oakwood Soccer Club 2
New York City FC 3- Long Island SC 1
Empire United 0-FC Stars 4

Southeast
United Futbol Academy -Weston FC (3/24)
Concorde Fire 5-Boca United Fubtol Club 2 (3/24)
NC Courage 11-IMG Academy 1 (3/24)
Charlotte Soccer Academy 5-West Florida Flames 0 (3/24)
Orlando Pride 2-NTH Tophat 2 (3/24)
Charlotte Soccer Academy 6 -IMG Academy 1 (3/25)
Concorde Fire 3- Weston FC 2 (3/25)
NC Courage 3-West Florida Flames 0 (3/25)
United Futbol Academy 2-Boca United Futbol Club 0 (3/25)

U-16/U-17

Penn Fusion Soccer Academy (15-3-1, 46 points) remain in first in the Northeast Division after a 1-0 win over Washington Spirit Academy: Virginia (10-7-3, 33 points). Virginia gave PFA a good fight in the first half with a couple of attacking chances. But the PFA defense, led by Emma Misal and goalkeeper Natalie Neumann, was more than up for the task, keeping the Virginia attack away and clearing out any dangerous balls into the box. Misal’s work was not just limited to the defensive end. In the 70th minute, her goal  proved to be the difference, giving PFA their third consecutive victory.

Sky Blue: PDA (14-4-1, 43 points) kept up with PFA after their 1-0 win over Washington Spirit Academy – Baltimore Armour (3-15-0, 9 points) on the weekend. Armour held their own against one of the top sides in the U-16/U-17 age group, with goalkeepers Sofia Roberts (44 minutes) and Jillian Savageau (46 minutes), and the back line keeping the match level. But PDA found their breakthrough in the 76th minute with Jami Araujo‘s goal, her second on the season.

New York City FC (13-5-1, 40 points) made up some ground in their hunt for first place with a 7-0 win over Long Island SC (2-13-1, 7 points). Cora Creighton (50′, 75′, and 82′) netted a hat trick for the ladies in blue, while the club’s remaining goals were scored by Angela Aguero (9′ and 13′), Ellie Johnson (62′), and Remi White (89′). Aguero’s goal gives her 13 on the season, and puts her in seventh among all players in the East Conference. Despite the win, they still trail Fury FC NY on Points per Games Played (2.3125 versus 2.1053).

Oakwood Soccer Club (7-10-1, 22 points) inched closer to a playoff spot with a 1-0 win over Sky Blue: NYSC (4-11-1, 13 points). Lumi Kostmayer‘s goal in the 35th minute gave Oakwood the lead early. The goal was her 13th on the season. In the second half, goalkeeper Molly McLaughlin would earn her clean sheet, along with the help of her back line.

+READ: Girls Development Academy East Conference Recap | March 10-11, 2018

In the Southeast Division, NTH Tophat (15-2-2, 47 points) held on to the top spot with a 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride (5-13-4, 19 points). Krystal Torres gave the Pride the lead very early with a goal in the second minute. But Tophat came storming back, tying and eventually taking the lead off goals from Hannah McLaughlin (13′) and Arianna Manrique (52′). McLaughlin and Manrique both made the jump from the U-15 side where they scored five and 12 goals, respectively.

IMG Academy (14-7-1, 43 points) took four points on the weekend with a pair of positive results. On Saturday, they drew 2-2 with the NC Courage (9-6-6, 33 points). They faced a bit of an uphill battle in the match after falling behind 2-0 at WRAL Soccer Park with the Courage’s Alexandra Kerr (8′) and Peyton Goldthwaite (33′) both finding the back of the net. IMG’s vaunted attack came alive with Enzi Broussard (38′) and Riley Thompson (42′) getting their side back on equal ground. Broussard currently leads all scorers in the U-17/U-18 age group with 24 goals while Thompson is hot on her heels with 17.

IMG followed up a strong result on Sunday with a 2-1 win over the Charlotte Soccer Academy (4-13-1, 13 points). Once again IMG, fell behind early with CSA’s Kate Herrmann finding the back of the net in the 25th minute. But once again, their resolve would show as they came back to earn the three points, behind goals from Kennedy Hart (55′) and Kendra Maki (58′). IMG have won seven of their last ten matches (7-2-1, 22 points).

Atlantic (All matches on 3/24)
Washington Spirit Academy: Baltimore Armour 0-Sky Blue PDA 1
Washington Spirit Academy: Virginia 0-Penn Fusion Soccer Academy 1
Northeast (All matches on 3/24)
Sky Blue: NYSC 0-Oakwood Soccer Club 1
New York City FC 7- Long Island SC 0
Empire United -FC Stars 

Southeast
United Futbol Academy -Weston FC (3/24)
Concorde Fire 3-Boca United Fubtol Club 1 (3/24)
NC Courage 2-IMG Academy 2 (3/24)
Charlotte Soccer Academy 4-West Florida Flames 2 (3/24)
Orlando Pride 1-NTH Tophat 2 (3/24)
Charlotte Soccer Academy 1-IMG Academy 2 (3/25)
Concorde Fire 2- Weston FC 1 (3/25)
NC Courage 1-West Florida Flames 0 (3/25)
United Futbol Academy 1-Boca United Futbol Club 1 (3/25)

U-18/U-19

Sky Blue – PDA (14-3-2, 44 points) maintained their hold on first place in the Atlantic Division with a 2-1 win over Washington Spirit Academy – Baltimore Armour (6-8-4, 22 points). Midfielder Jess Schildkraut gave Sky Blue the 1-0 advantage with her goal in the ninth minute. But the Spirit responded with a goal of their own just before halftime, courtesy of Leyah Hall-Robinson (35′), her 11th on the season. In the end, Sky Blue came away with the win, with Emily Leyson notching the match-winner in the 69th minute. Credit should also go to Sky Blue goalkeeper Meagan McClelland and the back line, who limited Washington’s attack to a single goal.

Penn Fusion Soccer Academy (14-4-1, 43 points) gave Sky Blue no respite in the standings though, defeating Washington Spirit Academy – Virginia (6-9-5, 23 points) 7-0. A pair of braces from forwards Emma Roesing (19′ and 64′)and Sara Oswald (43′ and 90′) spurred the PFA attack into action. Forwards Emma Stiegerwald (28′), Sydney Amparo (89′), and Catherine DeRosa (48′) also found the back of the net for PFA. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Morgan Messner would earn her seventh clean sheet on the season.

New York City FC (11-6-2, 35 points) solidified their spot on second place in the Northeast Division with a 6-2 win over Long Island SC (5-10-0, 15 points). A brace from Jackie Morris (46′ and 84′) kept Long Island SC in the match until late. But the NYCFC attack was too much for their fellow New Yorkers, with goals coming in from Victoria Muller (24′ and 62′), Audrey Lee (45′), Bella Sember (55′) Katrina Kurtz (72′), and Jaclyn Kemly (75′).

FC Stars (9-7-0, 27 points) had their hands with Empire United (0-14-2), but in the end they pulled off a 2-1 result to stay in third place. Midfielders Grace Paradis (32′) and Samantha Agresti (58′) gave Stars the 2-0 lead and presumably the victory. But Empire received a little bit of hope late from a strike by Zoe James in the 89th minute. But the Stars would hold on to earn the three points and their third consecutive victory.

That result was key for the Stars as the team directly below them  in the standings, Oakwood Soccer Club (8-8-1, 25 points), also earned three points on the weekend. Thanks to three second half goals from midfielders Lauren Smida (57′), Emily Zaccagini (64′), and Amy Akerley (85′) Oakwood were able to hold off Sky Blue: NYSC (3-12-1, 10 points) with a 3-1 result. Sky Blue’s goal came from Hillaria Aurora Hernandez in the 30th minute.

Finally in the Southeast Division the NC Courage (19-0-2, 59 points) remain unbeaten and in first after a resounding 8-0 win over IMG Academy (2-18-0, 6 points). The Courage received goals from Alexa Wojnovich (30′), Grace Wagner (45′), Madison Reed (63′), Maggie Pierce (68′), Mattie Murphy (65′ and 87′), Isabella Brown (56′), and Hannah Arostegui (79′). Meanwhile their defense continued their exceptional run of work, earning their thirteenth shutout.

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While the Courage defense weren’t able to make it two doughnuts in the row on Sunday they still ended up with the three points, this time defeating the West Florida Flames (3-14-2, 11 points) 2-1. Isabella Brown got things going for the Courage with her goal in the ninth minute. The Flames tied things up with a goal from Dorothy Alvarado in the 38th. But at the end of the day, Brown and the Courage would not be denied with her getting the match-winner in the 47th minute.

NTH Tophat (15-0-5, 50 points) maintained their own perfect record on Saturday with a 7-1 win over the Orlando Pride (10-10-2, 32 points). Rachel Jones (2′ and 89′), Briana Pinto (21′), Olivia Dedels (20′ and 23′), Cameron Hall (71′), and Charlotte Teeter supplied the goals for Tophat while the Pride’s lone goal came courtesy of Kristen Scott in the 28th minute. Scott’s 23 goals puts her in second place among all goalscorers in the U-17/U-18 age bracket, while Teeter (18-8th place) and Jones (18-9th place) also rank in the top ten.

NTH Tophat will play NC Courage next weekend with their undefeated records and top spot on the line. In their previous matchup the two sides drew 2-2.

Atlantic (All matches on 3/24)
Washington Spirit Academy: Baltimore Armour 1-Sky Blue PDA 2
Washington Spirit Academy : Virginia 0 -Penn Fusion Soccer Academy 7

Northeast (All matches on 3/24)
Sky Blue: NYSC 1-Oakwood Soccer Club 3
New York City FC 6- Long Island SC 2
Empire United 1 -FC Stars 2

Southeast
United Futbol Academy 4 -Weston FC 0 (3/24)
Concorde Fire 9-Boca United Fubtol Club 0 (3/24)
NC Courage -IMG Academy  (3/24)
Charlotte Soccer Academy -West Florida Flames (3/24)
Orlando Pride 1-NTH Tophat 7 (3/24)
Charlotte Soccer Academy -IMG Academy  (3/25)
Concorde Fire 7- Weston FC 0 (3/25)
NC Courage 2-West Florida Flames 0 (3/25)
United Futbol Academy -Boca United Futbol Club (3/25)