Thursday, May 31, 2012
No Super Y-League action this past weekend meant the attention was turned to the Super-20 League, with a total of eight games played during the extended holiday weekend. The NC Fusion women came out on top in a battle at home with Knoxville Soccer Academy and Waza FC’s men managed to win in Toronto, while the Mid South Division’s Laredo Heat men opened their season with a win to tie for the top spot in the standings.
Julia Singley
NC Fusion S20 Women
Coach Patrick Bridges watched Singley miss a golden opportunity to put NC Fusion ahead of Knoxville Soccer Academy in the first half, and, luckily, it ended scoreless.
“I told her at halftime she would put one away for us,” he said.
Bridges probably did not expect to have to wait as long as he did for the moment to come, but Singley found herself alone with the Knoxville ‘keeper in the 89th minute and finished her chance. The game-winner was the only goal of the game.
“Julia had several great scoring chances throughout the game, along with assisting in several other scoring opportunities,” Bridges said. “[Her] work rate during games sets such a presence for us as a target forward. She can hold the ball up, she is dangerous going at defenders in one-v-one situations, and also puts teams under a ton of pressure when we’re defending.
“Her determination and competitiveness [gave] us the game-winner.”
Eduardo Martinez and Armando Pedrote
Laredo Heat S20 Men
The Laredo Heat opened their inaugural Mid South Division season with a 3-1 victory against Alamo SC San Antonio. Martinez (pictured) scored two of the home side’s goals while Pedrote recorded a goal and an assist.
“Eduardo is the type of player every coach wants,” Coach Juan Collazo said. “He listens and follows instructions well, yet has the skills and ability to make decisions on the pitch that make positive contributions to the team.”
Laredo had the majority of possession during the game, and Pedrote’s constant pressure on the Alamo SC defense was a big part of that, as he also played the full 90 minutes.
“Armando has played in our youth system since he was 13 years old,” Collazo said. “Now 17, [he] has matured very well and his soccer knowledge has increased and has been very noticeable. His best attribute is that when he shows up to practice and games, he comes to play.
“Armando is a quiet leader who lets his actions on the pitch speak.”
Miche’le Lipari
Waza FC S20 Men
For Tuesday’s game in Toronto against the Lynx Jrs., Lipari was one of only 11 players to make the nearly 300-mile trip for Waza FC. He made the most of it, scoring the game’s only goal and putting in a tireless, man-of-the-match performance.
An even match with well-coached and well-organized teams, both Midwest Division clubs had opportunities to score. Toronto was relentless on set pieces and Waza worked the ball well in possession, but neither could find the opener in the first half until Lipari showed a moment of brilliance.
With seconds remaining before the break, Lipari used his speed and agility to catch up to a through ball that beat the Toronto defense. With the opposing goalkeeper coming out of the six-yard box to try to claim it, Lipari flicked the ball over the diving ‘keeper, avoided a collision and took one more touch to finish into the wide open net.
“His determination to get there first and to finish the run are what gave him the opportunity and he finished it like a true striker should,” Coach Gronthik Chatterjee said.
Lipari’s goal helped ease the pressure for Waza, and the team defended well in the second half to come away with the win.
“Miche’le was one of our most important players last year prior to his injury and has returned to us in the same fantastic form,” Chatterjee said. “He is an extremely technical and quick player and is always a threat in the final third, but [also] does an equally-good job building the game and keeping the ball in midfield. However, what separates him is his commitment to defending, tackling, work rate, and sheer enthusiasm to play the game.
“He is an irreplaceable part of our team and one to watch in the coming season.”