Wednesday, June 6, 2012
The 2012 Super Y-League season is rolling along, with more than 40 games played during the past week. Every division except for the South Atlantic has begun the road to the SYL Finals in Bradenton, Florida. The Mid Atlantic Division has produced the majority of top performers again this week, as it holds the largest number of teams in almost every age group.
Kendall Machak
TSF Academy U16 Girls
Machak recorded one assist and created opportunities for herself and her teammates to lead TSF Academy to its first win of the season, a 4-1 victory against Parsippany SC.
TSF was under pressure in the opening 20 minutes of the game and suffered an early Parsippany goal in the 10th minute, an excellent shot from the edge of the box by Ana Revollo. TSF was able to gain more composure on the ball towards the end of the half and managed to draw level as Jasmine Cornett was able to head a cross from Machak into the Parsippany net.
Machak helped set up the game-winning goal at the start of the second half. TSF came out of the break with greater purpose and higher tempo play, resulting in a Machak corner that was cleared by the Parsippany defense. The ball came to Katya Kaplow, who struck it from distance past the Parsippany goalkeeper. Maggie Filja increased the lead to 3-1 on an excellent piece of individual play.
TSF Academy was not looking to stop there, however, and Natalie Melillo crossed for Melissa Puzo to finish on the volley, bringing the final score to 4-1.
Machak was instrumental playing just behind the forward, something Coach Lee Bakewell called a ‘sacrifice’ for the team.
“Kendall has had to sacrifice a little for the team this season so far, playing a little deeper in the midfield,” he said. “However, today, and especially in the second half, we were able to push her slightly higher forward and she controlled a lot of the attacks we were able to build and it was great to see her be so effective.”
Machak’s assists came from crosses, and she also managed to place passes in behind the Parsippany defense all game long, showing her skill as a creator.
“She has an excellent touch and ability to beat players and we hope to see more of that kind of performance for the rest of the season,” Bakewell said.
Ruben Cevallos and Ignacio Marini
Westchester Flames U14 Boys
In a 3-1 victory against the New Jersey Stallions, Cevallos (pictured) and Marini combined for all three of the Flames’ goals. Cevallos scored two goals while Marini scored one goal from the spot and set-up his teammate for the game-winner.
With each team looking to prove itself early in the season, the Flames and Stallions each pushed players forward with possession, resulting in more counter-attacking moves than the defenders would have liked. In the eighth minute, Cevallos capitalized on a defensive mistake and the Flames lone striker took his chance well from 18 yards.
Marini used his skill on the ball to his team’s advantage in the 30th minute when he maneuvered through a couple of New Jersey midfielders and threaded a pass between defenders into the feet of Cevallos, who scored his second goal of the game.
Marini would add a goal from a penalty kick, giving Westchester the breathing room they needed to see out the second win of the season, putting them top of the Mid Atlantic Division.
Coach Eduardo Porcel was pleased with the performance of his two standouts, and hoped that they can continue to help the team in the games to come.
“Nacho is a very technical player with great vision,” he said. “[And] Ruben showed today that he is a powerful striker with a lot of potential.”
KelliAnn Burns
Ocean City FC U16 Girls
Burns scored both of her team’s goals in a 2-0 win against TSF Academy, ensuring that they lead the Mid Atlantic Division after three games with a 2-1-0 record.
TSF Academy dominated the play in the first half, with Coach Rodney Reyes’ side thankful for the stellar defensive play from Symone Sweazie, Stephanie Alvarez, Astasia Williams-Bertles, and Lindsay Olita.
Ocean City started the second half firing on all cylinders and was rewarded with a goal from Burns from a nice cross from Alexandria Reyes. The second goal came after a defensive stop by Nicki Read, who launched the ball over the TSF back line to a waiting Burns. The goal-scorer used her speed to run onto the pass and finish into the back of the net.
Ocean City goalkeeper Maria Kirby made two fantastic saves near the end of the game to hold onto the clean sheet, her first of two during the weekend.
“The girls played a fantastic game,” Reyes said. “They played as a team and did everything we asked of them and perhaps played the best I have seen them all year. Our defense turned in another solid performance with the offense sparking at just the right time.”