Girls Development Academy East Conference Recap: February 10-11, 2018

It was another intense weekend in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy East Conference with the Southeast Division taking center stage, as the the U-15, U-16/U-17, and U-18/U-19 playoff chases continue.

+Girls’ Development Academy Standings

U-15

Orlando Pride (8-7-0, 24 points) got 2018 off on the right foot on Saturday with an emphatic 7-1 win over IMG Academy (0-7-1, 1 points). IMG took the lead early in the first half with Jocelyn Rowe hitting the back of the net. But the Pride came roaring back midway through the first half, with Audrey Buck (21’ and 33’) hitting a brace to give Orlando the 2-1 lead. Ava Rice pushed it to 3-1 shortly before the half with a strike in the 41st minute. In the second half, the Pride continued pouring on the pressure with forwards Isabella Recinos (54’) and Zyandra Thomas (57’) putting the game out of reach. Buck netted her third in the 70th minute, and Alynne Paim made it seven in the 80th minute. Orlando’s seven goals set a new season high for most in a game.

Weston FC (9-5-1, 28 points) got back on the right track on Saturday, defeating Boca United Football Club (8-7-0, 24 points) 2-1 at Weston Vista Park. Kaitlyn Pensabene and Jailene De Freitas helped Weston jump out to a 2-1 lead with their goals in the 29th and 49th minute, respectively. Boca pulled to within one with a strike from forward Naomi Bejarano in the 58th minute, but Weston defenders Michelle Berndt, Abigail Davis, Michelle Gonzalez, Kira Polley, and Isabella Rosa held the line the rest of the way to help their side earn three points. After losing to NTH Tophat last week, Weston now finds themselves back in the heat of the U-15 Southeast Division.

Tophat (13-1-2,41 points), the table leaders, earned a 2-0 victory over United Futbol Academy (4-10-1, 13 points) on Sunday. Alexis Wright (31’ and 80’) found the back of the net twice for Tophat, pushing her total on the season to 12. Wright’s effort coupled with some sterling defensive work on the part of their back line helped extend their unbeaten run to four matches.

Results
Weston FC 2 -Boca United Football Club (2/10)
Orlando Pride 7-IMG Academy 1 (2/10)
United Futbol Academy 0- NTH Tophat 2 (2/11)

U-16/U-17

NTH Tophat (13-1-1, 14 points) extended their lead at the top of the table with a 3-0 win over United Futbol Academy (2-9-4, 10 points). Sofia Black (5’ and 60’) scored twice for Tophat, pushing her goal total on the season to five. Black’s goals were sandwiched on the scoring charts by an Arianna Manrique strike in the 32nd minute. Meanwhile the Tophat defense snagged their seventh shutout on the season.

On Saturday, IMG Academy (10-6-0, 30 points) earned three points on the road at the Seminole Sports Complex, putting three past the Orlando Pride (4-8-3, 15 points) in a 3-0 win. Riley Thompson (36’), Ashlyn Goila (49’) and Alex Vanderlinden (73’) supplied the goals for IMG. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Savannah Barron earned her second consecutive shutout and sixth on the season.

In Saturday’s other match, Weston FC (10-6-0, 30 points) earned their fifth consecutive victory in close fashion, edging Boca United Football Club (5-10-1, 16 points) 1-0 at home. Alexis Hiltunen’s goal in the 82nd minute proved to be the difference between the two sides. The sophomore from St. Petersburg, Florida leads her club with 12 goals this season.

Results
Weston FC 1-Boca United Football Club 0 (2/10)
Orlando Pride 0-IMG Academy 3 (2/10)
United Futbol Academy 0-NTH Tophat 3 (2/11)

U-18/U-19

Boca United Football Club (3-11-2, 11 points) kicked off the weekend in fine fashion, dispatching Weston FC (1-13-1) with a 6-0 result. Midfielder Jadyn Matthews (44’) and forwards Haley Jenkins (9’), Lauryn Lowe (32’ and 44’), Deja Dawkins (83’), and Samantha Tobar (88’) all found the back of the net for Boca, giving them the highest scoring total for a single match on the season. Their excellent attacking effort was matched by an equally impressive effort on the defensive side with Ashlyn Correa, Dakota Bagen, and Morgan Newman and goalkeeper Grace Li earning the shutout.

NTH Tophat (12-0-4, 40 points) received a bit of a scare, but were able to fend off United Futbol Academy (7-7-1, 22 points) in a tight 2-1 win on Sunday. Forward Kyndal Anderson gave UFA the lead in the first half with a strike in the 32nd minute. The UFA defense held off the always dangerous NTH attack, but Tophat netted the equalizer in the 74th minute with Emily Pulvar providing the honors. In the 88th minute, Delaney Graham gave Tophat the lead and eventually the three points on the day. 

The Orlando Pride (8-6-1, 25 points) moved into third place with a 6-0 win over IMG Academy (2-13-0, 6 points). Midfielders Brin Wexler (1’), Darja Rajee (44’), Ellie Moreno (89’) and forward Kristen Scott (18’, 56’, and 63’) all found the back of the net for the Pride. Their six goals gives them 12 in their last two matches, and puts them at 33 on the season. Meanwhile, the Pride continues their standout play on the defensive side. Goalkeeper Brooke Anderson and the Pride back line earned their seventh shutout on the season.

Results
Weston FC 0-Boca United Football Club 6 (2/10)
Orlando Pride 6-IMG Academy 0 (2/10)
United Futbol Academy 1- NTH Tophat 2 (2/11)