Super Y Finals U-15: VSI West Florida, Atlanta Fire win titles
VSI West Florida Flames and Atlanta Fire took the Under-15 boys and U-15 girls 2012 Super Y League championships, respectively. VSI West Florida needed extra time to win, while Atlanta Fire coasted to a 4-1 win.
U-15 Boys: Extra time goal gives VSI West Florida championship over Maryland Rush
BRADENTON, Fla. – Robert Bramble scored the winning goal as VSI West Florida took a second consecutive championship at the 2012 Super Y-League North American Finals at IMG Academy with a 2-1 victory against the Maryland Rush after extra time in the Boys U15 Championship Game. Bramble scored in the final minute, of the first half of extra time, allowing his side to claim victory.
“It means everything to me,” Bramble said. “To repeat everything is great, it’s an amazing feeling.”
Bramble had played an integral role as VSI took the lead in the first half. Moments after Jacob van der Luit had hit the right post with a good shot from 20 yards, Bramble worked a good give-and-go with Patrick Feehan, who burst into the right side of the penalty area and finished well into the left corner in the 16th minute.
Maryland almost got back on even terms immediately, Donald Benanma shooting wide of the right post from close range, but VSI was firmly on top before the break, with its midfielders in particular winning possession well and giving the Rush problems when they did.
The momentum in the game switched sides after the halftime break as the Rush came out with more purpose and started winning more possession. Their efforts were rewarded 10 minutes after the break after a fine piece of work by Kelly Marah, who collected a pass from Benanma before flicking the ball over his defender’s head and volleying into the roof of the net.
Things looked up even further for Maryland eight minutes later when Feehan was sent off for VSI after a late challenge near the halfway line. The Rush tried to take advantage with VSI down to 10 men, and Sean Caulfield saved well from Benanma in the 64th minute to keep the game even before Marah couldn’t quite get on the end of a cross with two minutes to go.
The game then went to extra time, where despite being down a man VSI appeared the more dangerous side. The game-winner came in the 90th minute as Jacob Goodall found Bramble moving into the penalty area, and his low shot found the right side of the net. The Rush had one big chance to tie the game in the second half of extra time, but Marah’s shot went wide of the right post, and VSI was able to do enough to hold on.
U15 Boys Results and Standings
U-15 Girls: Fire Get Best of Mariners in Rematch
BRADENTON, Fla. – The Atlanta Fire overpowered the Seacoast United Mariners in the U15 Girls final Tuesday, winning 4-1 on the strength of two goals and an assist from Tiffany Raygor.
After playing Seacoast to a 1-1 draw in group play, the Fire controlled the tempo throughout and never left the outcome in doubt.
After watching several chances go just wide early, Quiara Gebauer opened the scoring in the 34th minute when she redirected a cross from Raygor out of the air and past the Seacoast keeper. Raygor made it 2-0 three minutes later when she got a head on a service from Kaitlin Mayer.
Seacoast nearly pulled one back just before the half, but a shot into a crowd off a corner kick was cleared by the Atlanta defense.
After the break Atlanta forward Caitlin Ray got free in the 54th minute and was taken down in the box, resulting in a penalty kick that Amanda Delgado slotted home. The Mariners pulled one back in the 60th minute on a penalty of their own, coolly finished by Liz Lane.
Raygor finished the scoring with her second in the 67th minute, securing the title for the fire.
“I’m really proud of how we played,” Fire Coach Nathan Borror said. “They fought hard this weekend. Definitely with five games it’s hard to stay prepared mentally and physically, so I’m very pleased with the performance.”
