Friday, December 6, 2013
BRADENTON, Fla. – Seacoast United Sports Club Premier and Force Football Club Academy entered Friday’s matchup looking to take hold of their destiny in Group B. Unfortunately, neither could find the breakthrough in a well-played scoreless draw at IMG Academy.
After both won their openers Thursday at the 2013 Super Y-League North American Finals, a winner today would likely have punched their ticket into Sunday’s semifinals. Now, goal differential could come into play with Seacoast sitting plus-4 and Force plus-2 entering Saturday’s final group games.
Force FC had the better of the play in the opening half, with Elaina Eckert nearly finding the net three minutes in when her chip over the Seacoast keeper just cleared the bar. Force striker Lauren Alshab was able to cause havoc for much of the half, turning defenders well to create scoring opportunities.
Seacoast settled down in the second half and gained more of the possession, with Dominique LaPanne nearly finding the payoff in the 52nd minute when her deflection of a corner kick nearly snuck in.
Both defenses were the focus for much of the game, with Mia Dronchi and Victoria Lucido leading the way for Force FC, while center back Korynne Provenzano continually snuffed out scoring chances in the Seacoast defensive end.
“I think it was a game of two halves, to be honest, with the conditions favoring the team with the wind behind them,” Seacoast Head Coach Iain Scott said. “Our plan for the first half was to try to keep it tight, and then try to open it up in the second half. It worked quite well and we had one or two chances in the second half, but it just wasn’t our day.”
U15 Girls Results and Standings
Lynx Hold Off Brooklyn’s Rally
BRADENTON, Fla. – The Toronto Lynx moved into sole possession of first place in Group A of the U15 Boys Division after a 2-1 victory against the Brooklyn Knights at the 2013 Super Y-League North American Finals, presented by Nike. Antonio Downey and Rahim Thorpe each scored in the first half as the Lynx held off a strong second-half rally.
Both sides had taken victory in their opening game, and both showed good energy in the early stages. Toronto took the lead in the 16th minute as Nicholas Gavira sent in a cross from the left that was headed to the top of the penalty area. Downey picked up possession, and fired a shot from the left corner of the penalty area that Brooklyn’s goalkeeper got a hand to, but couldn’t keep out.
The Knights quickly tried to hit back, with Jesus Patino creating a chance three minutes later only to shoot wide of the left post. Brooklyn thought it had tied the game up in the 21st minute as it put the ball in the back of the net, only for the assistant referee’s flag to be up for offside.
Toronto would take advantage of its reprieve and double its advantage in the 26th minute as Thorpe fired an excellent shot from the top of the penalty area into the left corner. The Lynx carried the lead to the halftime break, but then appeared to take their foot off the pedal as the second half began.
Brooklyn got back on level terms nine minutes after the break as JC Obregon Jr. sent in a cross from the left that was headed home by Gustavo Fernandez. The Knights then appeared to have won a penalty, but the referee waved away their protests as the Lynx held onto their 2-1 lead.
“At 2-0 I think our boys thought they’d won it, and from all of these years doing this it’s not that easy,” said Toronto coach Duncan Wilde. “Luckily we held on, because they gave us a good fight,” Wilde said. “Hopefully tomorrow we can clinch the group and move on.”
The Lynx can clinch a place in Sunday’s semifinals with a draw against Nordic Soccer Club, which fell 2-1 to West Pines United in Friday’s other Group A contest. West Pines and Brooklyn both remain in contention for the runner-up wild card, with the winner of that game giving itself a chance to stay alive in the tournament.