Alliance Academy Super Y Nationals DAY 4 Update!
November 24th, 2008
TAMPA, FL- Both Alliance Super Y teams ended their debut National Championship with winning records
(2-1-1). The Boys u13 (current u14 age division) beat the Richmond
Kickers 1-0 and the Girls u14 (current u15 age division) lost a
heartbreaker 0-1 against the Atlanta Silverbacks.
It took the boys 45 minutes to settle down but, from that point on the
outcome of the match was never in question as the team dominated play.
A spectacular goal from Matt Rogers won the game with about five (5)
minutes to go as the boys completed a great weekend.
The u14 Girls dominated play for the first half forcing the Atlanta
keeper to make five saves including a PK. In contrast goalkeeper Julie
DeBus did not need to make a save in the first half for Alliance. The
game took a turn minutes into the second half when a penalty was
awarded to Atlanta after a clear foul against Alliance was missed by
the officials. The quality and intensity of play from the girls was
impressive as the girls made the best run of any Michigan team. Most
impressive was that most the girls were playing an age group up. The
team, whose core is from the Gators Elite u14 Girls State Championship
team played an age group up in the tournament making the run that much
more impressive.
Alliance Academy Super Y Nationals DAY 3 Update!
November 23rd, 2008
TAMPA, FL- Both the u13 Boys and u14 Girls squared off against New
Jersey Club Quickstrike in their final matches of Group play. The
Academy boys hit their stride today as they defeated the Super Y
Mid-Atlantic Champions while the u14 Girls had an intense battle on
their hands with the USYS Region 1 Semi-Finalists.
For the
u13 Boys the story of the day was a hat trick from
Jacob Love in a 4-1 thriller. Love's goals included a late first half
breakaway, a net ripping shot from twelve yards out and a perfectly
timed run ending in a header. Mike Leonne laid out two perfectly timed
assists while Scott Dunwell showed tremendous composure on the wing to
set up Love's header. The fourth goal was scored by Joshua Crague late
in the second half. The boys' record now stands at 10-2-1 with their
only losses coming at the hands of two teams playing in the final four
(Chicago Magic and Schulz Academy).
The
u14 Girls came into today's game needing a win or tie
(with a little help) to advance to the semi-finals. The first half
ended 0-0 with neither team producing many quality chances but, any
excitement seekers would not be disapointed in the final thirty-five
(35) minutes as the game blew wide open. The Alliance Academy girls
created a number of open chances including a cracking twenty-five (25)
yard shot by Sophie Maccagnone. The chance that rattled the bar, was
the culmination of a fantastic individual effort by Maccagnone in which
she beat three (3) players with tight control before releasing her
shot. Minutes later, against the run of play, the Quickstrike girls
took advantage of a turnover in the midfield and true to their name
finished efficiently with only a single pass. With no chance of
advancing on the back of a possible 2-1 record, coach Andy Blasco
reorganized the Academy girls for a final fifteen (15) minute frenzy of
attacking soccer.
Leaving three in the back, Alliance surged forward with their
tournament life at stake. The tactic worked as they created at least
four (4) excellent chances but, as they did this they found themselves
relying heavily on goalkeeper Julie DeBus. DeBus gave the girls a
chance as she made two point blank saves with little regard for her or
the opposing forward's body.
Fifteen (15) seconds remained when Jenna Andersen made a surging run
down the wing and drew a foul about forty (40) yards from goal. This
brought Chelsea Thompson on the ball for the kick and as time expired
Branna Smith sent the girls to the semi-finals with her second header
in as many days. "This is what this team is about," a fired up Blasco
explained, "we never give up."
The final fo
ur
is now set with Alliance, Quickstrike, Atlanta Silverbacks, and
Richmond Kickers all advancing with the help of stingy defenses that
have allowed a mere goal in three games.
Earning a semi-final berth at the Super Y League finals is not a simple
task and it has been exceptionally difficult for Region 2 teams. Out
of the many teams that advanced to the finals, only four (4) teams from
the Midwest have advanced to contend for a national title on Monday and
Tuesday (Chicago Magic u13B, Ft. Wayne Fever u17B, u13G Alliance
Academy, and u16G Chicago Magic). The girls will play a 1pm semi-final
against either Atlanta or Richmond on Monday.
Alliance Academy Super Y Nationals DAY 2 Update!
November 22nd, 2008
TAMPA, FL- The road to the Super Y National Championships became very
clearer after the second day of pool play as competition became more
intense in every pool. The day was highlighted by an Italian buffett
for the players and a showcase match (Andre and Robbie pictured left
enjoying their meals).
For the Alliance Academy
u13 Boys luck wasn't on their side
as they tied Juventus (CA) in their second pool match on Saturday. A
solid defensive effort by Mike Leonne, Tyler Jugon, and Scott Dunwell
limited the number of shots on net by Juventus to one (1) in the first
half and two (2) in the second. Unfortunately Alliance was not able to
convert their opportunities and after a final flurry and spectacular
individual effort from Joshua Crague that hit the crossbar the whistle
blew. The 0-0 tie brings Alliance Academy's u13 Boy's record to 9-2-1.
The
u14 Girls caught the Coastal WFC off guard scoring on a
header in the 2nd minute. It was a Chrissa Kouskoulas cross and a
Brianna Smith finish that set the tone for the first half as the
Alliance girls pressed for a second goal. The second half saw the
opposition from British Columbia attack with a great deal more
intensity and the game was played more in the midfield. With the help
of strong goalkeeping from Julie DeBuss, the Alliance team denied two
or three chances and preserved the win and shut-out.
The u14 Girls head into the third round match on Sunday with an
excellent opportunity to advance to the National Semi-Finals. Their
overall record of 7-0-2 includes an incredible 4 goals given up.
Alliance Academy Super Y Nationals DAY 1 Update!
November 21st, 2008
TAMPA, FL- The first day of the Super Y League National Finals brought
mixed results for the Alliance Academy's two qualifying teams. The
Boys u13 team ran
into a strong
Schulz Academy
(FL) team in their opening match. After playing to a scoreless first
half with missed chances from each side the Florida team took the lead
fifteen minutes into the second half. Goalkeeper Landon Collier was
player of the game making a number of solid saves but, he was unable to
keep a clean slate as the Schulz team had a number of clean
opportunities in the second half. The game ended 2-0 in Schulz's favor.
The
u14 Girls played a strong
Kendal Soccer Club
team from Miami Florida and handed them their second loss of the Super
Y League season. The lone goal was scored late in the game by Jenna
Anderson on an assist by Marti Corby. The game was tightly contested
as the Kendal back line continued to frustrate the Academy girls with
their speed. A PK in the first half may have made a difference but,
the Kendal keeper made a good save. Jenna Anderson was named player of
the match for her excellent play in the back and winning goal. The
girls remain undefeated in the Super Y and are one of the league
leaders with five (5) shutouts on the year and only four (4) goals
against.
Overall it was a great day of soccer with teams from throughout the
United States. The refereeing was excellent, competition great, and
weather beautiful and the Alliance Academy teams are excited for Day 2
of competition.
