Super-Y League top performers
As several Super Y-League divisions near the end of their seasons, it may take a special, individual performance to push a team into contention for a spot in the 2012 North American Finals in December. Sophia Terzes of Kalamazoo did just that last week, and a few other players stood out in important weekend wins.
Sophia Terzes
Kalamazoo Kingdom U12 Girls
In the final game of the season, Terzes (pictured) recorded a hat trick in Kalamazoo’s 4-0 win against TNT Dynamite Soccer Club on Tuesday to ensure the Midwest Division club’s participation in the 2012 Super Y-League Finals at IMG Academy in December.
With the win, the Kingdom lead the division and automatically receive a bid to the Finals.
“The motivation of a trip to Nationals in Florida served as the extra motivation for one of our best performances of the summer,” Kalamazoo coach Lewis Robinson said.
With a few players missing at ODP camps, Terzes moved from her natural position of center back to a central forward role. She was a constant threat to the TNT defense and capped off a great team performance with three outstanding goals.
“Sophia is a very good center back who has brilliant vision and distribution from the back,” Robinson said. “[She] showed great versatility to do a great job as a forward.
“It was a great performance in the final game, which was tough because of us missing so many players.”
Cole Venner
Nordic Soccer Club U13 Boys
Venner had a total output of five goals and 4 assists in two games last weekend, both wins for Nordic.
In Saturday’s 5-1 win against the MPS Crusaders, Nordic took full advantage of home comforts and got off to a great start with a 2-0 lead after the first 45 minutes. Venner finished the game with two goals, one in each half, and two assists in the 6-3 victory.
Against the MPS Knights the following day, Nordic needed Venner’s offense after conceding three goals. He was able to lead the line and score three goals and assist on two to bring the New England Division club a victory.
“Cole was back in top-notch form,” Nordic coach Jim Goudie said. “[He had] some great individual goals and skills to help us close out our home schedule.
“Cole had had a quiet few weeks, going 13 games without a goal. But he bounced back in style.”
Chase Gwynn
FC America U12 Boys
FC America rallied behind a three-goal performance by Gwynn to defeat Kendall SC 3-0 on Saturday, the Southeast Division club’s first win of the season.
The competitive match was played in the blistering heat of central Florida. Each team attempted to impose its will on the other, but it was FC America’s ability to finish its chances that made the difference in the outcome of the game.
“Chase is a special player with great work ethic,” FC America Coach Eddie Santos said. “He is showing it not only in games but in practice, as well.”
Alexandria Peat
London Gryphons U17 Girls
The London Gryphons used Peat’s hat trick to get their first win of the season on Sunday, a 5-0 victory against the Des Moines Menace.
In very warm weather, the Gryphons controlled the play early but were unable to find the mark until late in the first half due to some excellent goalkeeping by the Menace. Peat opened the scoring for a 1-0 London lead at the half and finished her hat trick performance with two more goals in the second half for the 5-0 score line.
Teammate Taylor Campbell added a goal to follow her hat trick performance in a 3-3 draw on Saturday, and Shelby Auterhoff capped the scoring with a beautiful strike from 25 yards. Jessica Kozachuk kept the clean sheet for the Gryphons.
“Alex Peat found her form this Sunday,” London Coach Aldo Cifaldi said. “Breakaway speed was the name of the game, as she constantly put pressure on the Des Moines Menace defense and utilized beautiful through balls from the Gryphon’s defense and midfield to her advantage.”
Shannon Wratchford
FASA U15 Girls
Wratchford scored all four goals in FASA’s 4-1 win against Southern Soccer Academy on Friday.
Rachael Leaf, Paige Robertson, Emily Hunter, and Ellie Maston each had an assist in FASA’s fourth victory of the season.
“Shannon has great composure and vision in the box,” FASA coach Pete Cinalli said. “[She] is incredibly strong physically. She is able to fight through heavy traffic and finish consistently with her technical skills, as well as her ability withstand heavy, physical defensive pressure.
“The opportunities were there thanks to the support of her teammates and the quality of the assists and balls played into her. We had a great team shape and organization throughout the match. It was a very special performance.”
