Late-game heroics, tough defense highlight Day 2 of Winter Showcase
(Via CCL) – The CCL Winter Showcase continued on Saturday as college coaches from around the Mid Atlantic took in the matches, enjoying unseasonably warm weather in Richmond, Va. With league points on the line, several matches were decided in the final minutes on late goals from some key players. The showcase concludes on Sunday with matches running through the late afternoon.
One of the most thrilling matches of the day came out of the U-17 boys division, where McLean pulled even in the final two minutes to earn a 4-4 draw with Maryland United after a high-paced battle throughout. MUFC forwards David Terry (2015 – uncommitted) and Roshawn Panton (2016 – uncommitted) were a force up top, creating problems for the opposing defense with great speed and playmaking ability.
+Read: High-powered offense on display at Day 1 of CCL Winter Showcase
However, McLean’s Nicholas Campbell (2016 – uncommitted) stole the show in the end, scoring a goal at the end of the first half to make it 2-2 and another in the final minutes of the second half to make it 4-4. Campbell had a hat trick in the match and earned the high praises of former U.S. Men’s National Team standout John Harkes, who is coaching the team on a fill-in basis.
“Nick is a great player, he’s very technical, has a sense for the game and he’s playing with a ton of confidence right now,” said Harkes, who was complimentary of the team’s performance of late. “There were some things we could have done better today to come away with a win, but the guys are extremely hard-working and really love the game, which is showing in their play.”
There was plenty more high level play for college coaches to take in on Saturday throughout the CCL Winter Showcase in Richmond. See below for some more highlights from River City.
U-16 Girls
Loudoun defeated Fredericksburg FC to improve to 11-0-1 and remain unbeaten at the top of the table. Arlington followed up Friday’s 2-0 win over Maryland United with a thrilling 2-1 win over Virginia Legacy. BRYC defeated Beach FC 4-1 to help pull her team even for second place with Beach at 25 points each. Maryland United earned a 3-1 win over McLean, FC Frederick edged out Fredericksburg FC 2-1, and DC Stoddert beat SYA 2-1 in a tightly-contested match.
U-17 Girls
Forward Alex Addington (2017 – uncommitted), Joy Hogart (2016 – uncommitted) and the rest of the technically-sound McLean midfield were the story of the match in a 3-0 win over Maryland United. In the second half, Addington scored on a one-time shot off a cross, risking a hard collision with goalkeeper Courtney Merwin (2017 – uncommitted) doing just enough to poke it home and stay out of harm’s way. Hogart added a long range goal for McLean’s final goal, pushing the ball through the midfield and sending in a strike from 25 yards out. Sitting in third place, McLean moved within just two points of second place Loudoun on Saturday.
SOCA staged an impressive second half comeback win in a gritty match against Loudoun, where both teams were sharp throughout. SOCA received late goals from midfielders Hannah Keith (2016 – uncommitted) and Sunny Gelnovatch (2016 – Clemson). After Loudoun’s solid defense and methodical offense maintained a 1-0 lead in the first half, Keith’s hard work paid off midway through the second when she equalized on a well-placed header off a corner kick. Gelnovatch followed with a long range bomb for the game-winner just before stoppage time began. SOCA was able to extend its division lead to eight over second place Loudoun.
U-18 Girls
Second place BRYC maintained its two-point lead on third place Beach FC as the played to a 2-2 draw in an evening match at River City. McLean played strong defense against Maryland United, earning a clean sheet in a 2-0 win, while Potomac beat FC Richmond by the same scoreline.
U-16 Boys
Loudoun scored three second half goals and beat SOCA 4-0 thanks to a team effort. Giovanni Vasquez (2017 – uncommitted) recorded a brace, while Jacob Labovitz (2017 – uncommitted) and Dorion Dixon (2017 – uncommitted) each scored one goal. Goalkeeper Colin Shutler (2016 – uncommitted) was stellar in net, and left back Justin Sugatan (2017 – uncommitted) played proactive defense and helped start runs out of the back offensively.
U-17 Boys
Guest team VSA Heat had an impressive showing, defeating SYA 4-1. Right back Tyler Morgan (2016 – uncommitted) and midfielder Bobby Bynum (2016 – uncommitted) each scored and had a major impact throughout the match, while Drew Boland (2016 – uncommitted) found the net for SYA. Meanwhile, Andrew Martinez (2016 – uncommitted) helped spark the Beach FC offense in a big win over BRYC.
U-18 Boys
FC Richmond’s high-powered offense led them to another win to remain unbeaten at the top of the table at 10-0-1. Michael Andrews (2015 – uncommitted) notched a second half goal in the win while goalkeeper Zachary Pedini (2015 – Christopher Newport commit) was solid in net. Guy Romaric Nabo launched a rocket from well outside the box on a free kick for Potomac’s goal.
