Jefferson Cup: Day One, Girls’ U-17 Elite division
Here are PSW’s reports and observations from the U-17 Elite division on day one of the Jefferson Cup girls’ weekend.
Beadling SC United (Penn.) vs. PA Classics Elite (Penn.)
Final: 3-1
Despite a quick first goal by Elite’s Erica Ndlovu, assisted by Beth Harvey, PA Classics Elite couldn’t keep their lead when United turned on the afterburners in the second half.
United’s Carly Seneca tallied the first goal off an assist by Maggie Bedillion to tie it up going into the half.
Olivia Brandy received the ball off a pretty one-two combination between Rachel DelleFemine and Colette Biondi, then essentially performed a step-over cut pass into the back of the net to push them in front. United’s final goal came from Seneca, who took the ball down the middle, cut through the defenders at the top of the box, and laid a strike to the far post while Elite’s goalkeeper was on her heels.
“This is our first time [playing] outside this year, so we started a little slow,” said United’s head coach Gregg Day. “We let them play and gave them too much time. The first half we were battling, but then they settled in and started to play the way they normally do.
“It was a good result for our first game, but we’re going to talk about dealing with the pressure in the back a little quicker and having the midfield deal with their space a little quicker. We really want our forwards to stay in between the pipes and do what they do best. This early in the season the finishing is usually what they get last so with three goals, I’m really happy.”
Massapequa Force (N.Y.) vs. FC Pride 94 Elite (In.)
Final: 2-0
The beginning of this match was quite even, but once the Force’s Reanna Marino got the ball at her feet there was no stopping her from finding the back of the net.
Her first goal came after Stephanie Peragallo fed her the ball at the top of the FC Pride penalty box, where she drove in a bomb that slipped into the far upper corner of the net. On her second, Marino beat the defense and scored a low strike with the outside of her foot to the far post, assisted by Katherine Corcoran. FC Pride couldn’t seem to penetrate the Force’s defense despite some efforts to drive deep then cut the ball back across the six-yard box.
“Overall, it was pretty good,” said the Force’s head coach Frank Marion. “Obviously it’s a showcase so we’re looking for the girls to put on their best performance in front of the college coaches, so the result is really secondary. It’s nice to win, but we could have played a little bit better. The second half wasn’t as good as the first, but it’s our first game.”
