Sunday, December 8, 2013
BRADENTON, Fla. – Super Nova FC advanced to Monday’s Finals at the 2013 Super Y-League North American Finals presented by Nike by outlasting Seacoast United Sports Club Premier in penalty kicks following a 1-1 draw through regulation and overtime.
Super Nova FC goalkeeper Brooke Turnbaugh saved four consecutive attempts after the first Seacoast shooter hit the crossbar to give her side the 1-0 final advantage in kicks. Seacoast keeper Brooke Barrett made three saves of her own after Taylor Chapman converted on the first kick for Super Nova.
It was a bit of redemption for Super Nova, which lost on PKs in the semifinals in 2012.
“[Turnbaugh] is coming back from an ACL injury and she’s faster now than she was before,” Super Nova Coach Niki Nikolic said. “Last year we reached the semifinals and we lost on penalty kicks. This time we are on, and I love it. It’s a great team, and to be in the finals is even better.”
Both teams used the first half to feel each other out, with the best chances coming in the ninth minute. Seacoast’s Claire Petersen got a header on frame off a corner kick that was cleared off the line by a defender, and Super Nova countered with Savannah Metz ultimately being stopped on a breakaway.
Chapman was dangerous all game for Super Nova, nearly drawing a penalty kick in the 52nd minute. Chapman finally broke through in the 65th minute, getting free on the right side of the box and firing low to the left corner to break the deadlock.
Seacoast was undaunted, however, as Anna-Maria Dagher tied it two minutes later when she kneed in a hard cross from Emily Zwierzchowski to force overtime.
U15 Girls Results and Standings
West Pines United Grabs Victory In Extra Time
BRADENTON, Fla. – West Pines United was able to score twice in extra time to take a 2-1 victory against the Northern Virginia Royals in the semifinals of the Boys U15 Division at the 2013 Super Y-League North American Finals, presented by Nike, at IMG Academy. Ruben Morales had what proved to be the winning goal early in the second extra period.
The game opened evenly, and Morales came close to opening the scoring in the 15th minute as he sent a header over the crossbar. Northern Virginia was quick to find an opportunity of its own as Edwin Jovel almost took advantage of United’s goalkeeper being out of his goal after a clearance, his shot looping just wide of the left post.
The Royals began to take control of the game as the half went on, and Jose Ramos almost opened the scoring two minutes before the break. The forward was able to outmuscle his defender to get in on goal, but West Pines’ goalkeeper advanced to save well.
Northern Virginia continued to have the better of the game in the second half, but was unable to put away any of its chances. Wiferdo Cedillo fired a good long-range effort in the 59th minute after a corner was only half-cleared, but it was comfortably saved as United’s defense held firm.
West Pines almost grabbed the lead with nine minutes to go when Alex Alexis almost added to his hat trick on Saturday as his pace was too much for the Royals’ defense, but his finish was well saved. The Royals then went close twice in the final five minutes, as Lorenzo Bolanos and Ramos each had opportunities, but neither was able to grab victory for his side.
The breakthrough finally came in extra time, in somewhat fortunate fashion for West Pines. After a short corner found Alexis on the left side, his cross into the penalty area was met by a Royals defender trying to clear, only for the ball to bounce into the left corner of the net. Morales then added a second two minutes into the second period of extra time with a fine strike from 23 yards out to make it 2-0 and seemingly put the game away.
Morales’ goal would prove to be vital four minutes later as a looped through-ball by Chris Wolfe was misjudged by the West Pines goalkeeper, and the wind carried the ball over his head and into the back of the net. The Royals wouldn’t be able to find an equalizer to send the game to a penalty shootout, however, as West Pines claimed victory.
West Pines United will face the Southern Soccer Academy in the final after SSA defeated the Toronto Lynx in a penalty shootout after the two teams played to a 1-1 draw through regulation and extra time.