Super-20 League Top Performers

Friday, June 8, 2012

Wet conditions throughout most host cities this past week caused a few cancellations, but there were still several special performances for teams eager to get on with the 2012 Super-20 League season. Ottawa’s Women’s team managed to sweep its weekend games and produced a standout duo, while scoring two in California earned a player singular praise from his coach.

Justin O’Connor
IMG S20 Men

O’Connor scored two of his team’s three goals in a 3-2 win against Southeast Division foe Orlando City Youth Soccer.

IMG dominated much of the possession in the first half but could not take the lead. Early in the second half, however, O’Connor and teammate Carter Dorton helped IMG to a 3-1 lead. Even while being double-teamed by defenders, O’Connor was able to get into dangerous positions and helped teammates find scoring positions.

Orlando City made it interesting, fighting back to a one-goal deficit, but could not muster enough to salvage a draw.

“I think the team played a great game overall on both sides of the ball,” Coach Marcelo Carrera said. “Even though we gave up two goals, we created lots of chances.

“It was a great effort from everyone who stepped on the field, especially Justin.”

Julien Dragomir
Sereno Soccer Club S20 Men

After a long night of travelling, Sereno Soccer Club overcame tired legs to win its first Super-20 League game, 3-0 against AVFC.

The Arizona club left at 3 a.m. to arrive in Lancaster, California for the noon kickoff. It took about 15 minutes for Sereno to find a bit of rhythm in its play, creating chances that resulted in the opener being scored in the 30th minute by Tommy Ramos.

The second half started better for both teams; AVFC attacked more but left itself open for counterattacks, which Sereno utilized. Dragomir took a cross onto his chest from a counter and volleyed home his team’s second goal. Dragomir then controlled his first touch from a teammate’s through ball and rounded the goalkeeper to finish his second of the day.

He also helped track back defensively throughout the game and had a total of six shots to lead Sereno offensively.

“It was a nice way to start the season,” Coach Brian O’Donnell said. “I was happy with the way the boys dealt with a difficult day.”

Kayla Adamek and Brianna Boutziouvis
Ottawa Fury S20 Women

Adamek scored five goals and added two assists in a weekend’s worth of work, including a hat trick in Ottawa’s 3-1 win against New York Elite FC on Sunday. She scored four of her goals from distance and one off a header in a well-rounded performance to help the Fury sweep the New York club.

Boutziouvis (pictured) recorded two goals and one assist in Saturday’s game against New York Elite FC, not letting them focus solely on Adamek.

“It’s a great way to start a season off with two tough wins on consecutive days,” Coach Jimmy Zito said. “Hopefully there will be more to come from this team going into June and July.”