So close, so far: Bethesda-Olney fall to PDA in U-17/18 Development Academy final

CARSON, Calif. [via ussoccer.com]  – Brian White recorded a goal and an assist and the Players Development Academy defense held Bethesda-Olney in check to earn a 2-0 victory and win the 2013-14 Development Academy U-17/18 Championship on Saturday night at StubHub Center.

The loss ends a storybook run for Bethesda-Olney, who will see several influential players depart for NCAA Division I careers after many years of youth excellence, while head coach Matt Pilkington is also departing to take a technical director position with New York City club Downtown United.

[ +READ: Matthew Pilkington to depart Bethesda-Olney SC for new role with Downtown United SC ]

This marked the first time PDA has earned a national championship in the Development Academy. PDA also caps off the season with a 24-3-4 overall record and an unbeaten postseason stretch with a 5-0-1 record.

PDA immediately increased the pressure on the Bethesda-Olney defense in the second half with two shots on frame in the first two minutes, then broke through with the game’s first tally about five minutes later.

White scored the first goal of the game in the 53rd minute. After a shot by Jared Stroud, Bethesda-Olney keeper Joe Bogan and Bethesda-Olney defender Ismael Lapp-Kamara came together to clear the rebound, causing a loose ball that fell to White in front of the net. He took one dribble to his right and shot to give PDA a 1-0 lead.

PDA pushed the lead to 2-0 in the 69th minute when White tapped a pass to Ryan Peterson alone in the middle of box. The darting Peterson took one touch to fire a shot to the upper right corner of the net and pad the PDA lead.

Both teams had chances in a spirited first half of a game that featured two of the most prolific scorers in the Development Academy this season in White and Bethesda-Olney’s Jeremy Ebobisse.

[ +READ: Bethesda SC reaching new heights with innovative coaching philosophies ]

Ebobisse was responsible for Bethesda Olney’s first chance of the game in the ninth minute, when his diving header in front of the goal was astutely deflected by PDA goalkeeper Joe Ohaus wide of the goal.

Jake Rozhansky nearly put Bethesda-Olney on the score sheet in the 22nd minute. His running, right-footed shot from just outside the box was tipped wide by a diving Ohaus.

PDA created a quality scoring opportunity in the 42nd minute as Daniel Mooney attempted a half-volley that was just out of the reach of Bethesda-Olney goalkeeper Bogan, but the shot hit the left upright and caromed back out to the middle of the box.

[ +READ: Bethesda-Olney U-17/18s edge Montreal, advance to Dev. Academy championship ]

Bethesda-Olney responded in the 44th minute with a shot of its own from Sam Schmidt, who found himself with space along the left side. He dribbled toward the goal and tried a right-footed bender that ended up just wide of the right post.

While trailing 2-0 in the closing 10 minutes, an urgent Bethesda-Olney side generated one of its best chances of the game in the 81st minute when Ebobisse dribbled through the middle of the PDA defense and forced Ohaus off his line. Ohaus dove at Ebobisse’s feet and tipped the ball just enough to allow the defense to recover and clear the ball.

-U-17/18 Development Academy Championship Match Report-

Match: Bethesda-Olney vs. Players Development Academy
Date: July 19, 2014
Competition: 2013-14 Development Academy Championships
Venue: StubHub Center; Carson, California
Kickoff: 7 p.m. PT
Attendance: 100
Weather: Clear, 71 degrees

Scoring Summary:   1   2   F
Bethesda-Olney         0   0   0
PDA                          0   2   2

PDA – Brian White 54th minute
PDA – Ryan Peterson (Brian White) 70

Lineups:
BTO: 24-Joe Bogan; 8-Carter Manley, 6-Ismail Lapp-Kamara, 5-Karl Brown, 3-Chase Gasper; 4-Matt Danilack, 15-Jorge Quintanilla (16-Nolan Axenfeld, 61), 10-Jake Rozhansky; 11-Sam Schmidt (21-Ibrahima Kouyate, 74), 7-Matthew Ledder (14-Daniel Kaiser, 74), 9-Jeremy Ebobisse
Head Coach: Matthew Pilkington

PDA: 41-Joe Ohaus; 5-Tyler Pinho, 6-Niel Guzman, 33-Franky Martinez, 20-Kevin Kappock; 2-Matthew Mangini, 11-Anderson Asiedu, 4-Jake Areman (3-Brett Giuliana, 86); 28-Juan Rivero (7-Ryan Peterson, 46), 9-Jared Stroud (14-James Murphy, 67), 10-Brian White
Head Coach: Sam Nellins

Stats Summary: BTO / PDA
Shots: 12 / 16
Shots on Goal: 3 / 6
Saves: 4 / 3
Corner Kicks: 5 / 3
Fouls: 9 / 9
Offside: 1 / 4

Misconduct Summary:
PDA – Jared Stroud (caution) 19
BTO – Chase Gasper (caution) 76

Officials:
Referee: Denis Vargas
Assistant Referee: Ryan Cook
Assistant Referee: Ben Pilgrim
Fourth Official: David Breckner