North Jersey Valkyries News Release - www.njvalkyries.com
Sunday, July 1, 2012
WAYNE, NJ - With only three games remaining in the regular season, the North Jersey Valkyries continued their title challenge with a 2-1 road victory against the New York Magic.
The game, a rematch of last week's encounter that ended in a 3-0 Valkyries victory, started in a similar fashion with the visitors taking an early lead, this time through an emphatic Alicia Tirelli strike.
The Valkyries will think themselves unfortunate to have only taken a one goal lead into the break. As the first half came to a close Jasmin Corniel twice found herself through on goal, only to be denied by Caitlin Hoffer in the Magic goal.
As play resumed in the second half, it was clear that the severe heat suffered in the first had taken its toll on the players.
However, the Valkyries' effort and determination eventually produced another goal. Ashley Clarke took her tally to six for the season with a cool finish into the bottom corner. Clarke now joins Nickolette Driesse as top scorer for the season so far.
The Magic were able to pull a goal back late in the game off of a free kick. The shot deflected off the Valkyries' wall sending goalkeeper Kate Courter the wrong way as the ball found the back of the net.
The Valkyries defense would hold firm to earn all three points and move back into second place in the Northeast Division.
The Valkyries now look forward to Saturday, July 7 as they welcome the New Jersey Rangers to DePaul Catholic High School. A win on Saturday would put North Jersey atop the division ahead of the Long Island Rough Riders who don't play until the following day.
Valkyries' Head Coach Mark White spoke of the season. "A great team effort to date. We have improved in all areas, and we want to finish as high as we possibly can.”
But with the Valkyries having to face the two teams either side of them in the standings, he's not letting himself get carried away just yet.
"There is still a long way to go. Any one of the top three teams can win the division, and it will probably go to the last day.” White added, "we have to play the Wildcats at home and then travel to Long Island to play the Rough Riders. Our previous meetings with both teams have been extremely competitive, and we will have to be at our very best if we want to come out of those games with anything. The good thing is that it is in our hands, and we do not need to worry about other results, just our own performances. We will stay focused, and I am positive we will give it our best shot."
The Valkyries next home game, Saturday, July 7, kicks off at 4 p.m. at DePaul Catholic High School.
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Valkyries Race Past Magic
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