San Diego Surf earns spot in Girls DA U-18/19 title match

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(Via U.S. Soccer) – Sara Jayne Affleck‘s second minute goal proved to be the only tally of the contest as San Diego Surf defeated United Soccer Alliance, 1-0, on Wednesday evening in the 2019 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Girls U-18/19 Semifinals. Isabella Grust recorded a clean sheet between the sticks as the local club advances to Friday’s final in Oceanside.

San Diego Surf needed less than two minutes to take the lead as an outstanding finish from Affleck gave the California club a 1-0 lead. Affleck had the ball near the end line on the left side of the box and nutmegged a defender to give herself space. Affleck then curled a shot from a tight angle inside the back post to give San Diego Surf a 1-0 lead in the second minute.

The first look at goal for United Soccer Alliance came in the 12th minute as Olufolasade Adamolekun brought Grust, the San Diego Surf goalkeeper, into the action for the first time.

In the 16th minute, United Soccer Alliance had another chance as it worked the ball around the box, eventually finding Ashlyn Kane with space just outside the top of the box, but Kane’s effort rose high over the San Diego Surf goal.

San Diego Surf was inches away from a second goal in the 25th minute as Avery Schaffer, who had just taken a stride into the box, unleashed a shot that came cannoning back off the crossbar.

Two minutes later, Lia Godfrey went on a mazing run for United Soccer Alliance, weaving in-and-out of San Diego Surf defenders before working her way into the box and getting off a low shot that Grust got just enough of to push out for a corner.

Shyra James forced a terrific save from United Soccer Alliance goalkeeper Alia Skinner in the 34th minute as James cut in from the left and sent a shot toward goal that Skinner had to tip over the crossbar and out for a San Diego Surf corner.

Both teams continued to create chances in the remainder of the first half but neither side was able to find the back of the net as San Diego Surf took a 1-0 lead into the interval.

Five minutes after the break, Shaffer had the first look at goal of the second 45, collecting a ball played from the backline on a bounce and firing a shot just over the top of the crossbar.

United Soccer Alliance had its first good chance of the second half in the 56th minute when Godfrey’s attempt was stopped by Grust. The shot off the rebound from the initial chance hit a defender and came back to Godfrey but her second opportunity was unto the hands of Grust as San Diego Surf continued to hold the lead.

The Southeast Division champions continued to push for the tying goal as the clock ticked past the hour mark, but the United Soccer Alliance attack was unable to unlock the San Diego Surf defense.

A long distance free kick for James of San Diego Surf nearly doubled the lead as her rising, 74th minute shot was bobbled by Skinner in goal for United Soccer Alliance, but the goalkeeper was able to corral the ball before the Surf attackers following up the play.

In the 84th minute, a shot from about 23 yards by Godfrey forced Grust down low to her left to make the save, preserving the shutout for the local side.

San Diego Surf will now meet Midwest United FC on Friday, June 28, in the Development Academy Girls U-18/19 Final in Oceanside.

Watch the full match here: https://ussoc.cr/c69z