Columbus Day Challenge
Champions - U12 Girls
October 6-7, 2007
Our U12 Select Girls won the championship of the Columbus Day Challenge Tournament in Hudson, Ohio this last weekend.
Generally, we go to these tournaments not knowing much about who we are going to play. So after seeing the tournament schedule, I can say I was a little disappointed and apprehensive. The 6 team division had us, Perrysburg Gold, and GTFC in our group with Maumee Express, Cleveland Kickers, and Kenston FC finishing in the other group. So, looking at the teams, we have 2 NWOYSL division 1 teams with Perrysburg Gold leading the division.
We started with Perrysburg Gold. Having already played and won against Perrysburg’s other two U12 teams, the girls played with confidence that they could run with this team. As the game started, I could see we were going to give Perrysburg a good challenge. We scored the first 2 goals, then Perrysburg scored in the closing minutes of the game to make it an exciting finish. But, we managed the game clock well and sealed an impressive win. GTFC lost their first game, so we were in the lead of the group.
Our second game was our crossover game with Maumee Express. Now with some interesting scheduling this was Maumee’s first game of the day and we were on just a 1 hour break from the Perrysburg game. Needless to say, but Maumee were definitely the fresher team and struck first early in the game. We stayed within a goal until late when Maumee put a third goal in. Since, this was the crossover game and we won against Perrysburg, this game didn’t really hurt our chances.
Sunday morning we step on the field with GTFC in the deciding match. If we win this game we go to the championship. We have the kickoff, the whistle blows, and within just a few seconds we put the ball in the net and set the tone for the rest of the game. Final whistle blows and we win 5-1 and are playing in the championship game!
Championship is a rematch with Maumee and now on even ground. We find out that it wasn’t just tired legs the first time around, Maumee is a very quick team and we struggled at times to keep up with them, but managed and finished the first half 0-0. We made a slight tactical adjustment at half time and the girls went right out and scored a goal. We went up 2-0 when we were able to get on the end of a corner kick. Maumee scored their first goal with about 10 minutes left and followed with a second goal shortly after. We had a couple more good scoring opportunities but the game ended in a tie and headed to a shoot out.
Most of the girls have never been involved in a shoot out before (or their parents!!!!) and to say they were nervous would be an understatement. After I got the girls settled down (the parents were on their own), we shoot first. Kassie steps up and buries her shot into the side net. Kirstyn takes her place in the goal, Maumee’s shot goes high and to her right, and Kirstyn makes the save. This is the point that I realized the parents have never been in one of these before either. Bobbi is our next shooter and drives her shot past Maumee's keeper. We are up 2-0 and it stays that way as Maumee’s 4th shooter takes the ball, hits her shot, Kirstyn makes a second save and we WIN!
Congratulations Girls!
Game 1
VASC 2 vs Perrysburg Gold 1
Game 2
VASC 1 vs Maumee Express 3
Game 3
VASC 5 vs GTFC 1
Championship
VASC 2 vs Maumee Express 2
Shootout
VASC 2 vs Maumee 0
Shoot out Goals Kassie Memmer, Bobbi Spradlein
Goals: Kassie Memmer 6, Raquel Peper 2, Alexis Gonzaga 1, Ashley Duncan 1
Kirstyn Harris was in goal for all games and made 2 saves during the shootout.
Taylor Hetrick anchored the defense.