Sunday, December 8, 2013
BRADENTON, Fla. – Logan Podrebarec’s second-half penalty kick lifted the Toronto Lynx into the final of the Boys U17 Division as his side took a 2-1 victory against Cleveland Soccer Academy at the 2013 Super Y-League North American Finals, presented by Nike, at IMG Academy. Toronto will face Ironbound SC in Monday’s championship game.
The Lynx took the lead with just under half-an-hour to play as they were awarded a penalty kick when Colin Edwards was brought down by a strong challenge in the right side of the penalty area. Podrebarec stepped up and sent Cleveland goalkeeper Matthew Markiewicz the wrong way, slotting his shot low into the right corner.
Cleveland pushed numbers forward as the half wore on, but Toronto was solid in defense. CSA’s best chance to find an equalizer came with five minutes to go as a half-cleared corner came to Jacob Lombardo just inside the penalty area, but his shot through traffic was saved by Daniel Merkel as the Lynx saw out the win.
The Lynx had initially taken the lead in the 14th minute after an even start between the two teams as Jacon DaCosta was played into the right side of the penalty area and drove home a low shot at the near post. Cleveland almost hit back immediately as speedy forward Joe Munaretto broke in on a ball over the Lynx’s back line, but his lifted finish past the advancing goalkeeper went just over the crossbar.
Cleveland continued to push for an equalizer, and almost found it in the 20th minute as a good cross was headed toward the top-right corner, only for Toronto goalkeeper Peter Bonnaro to tip the effort over the crossbar. From the ensuing corner, however, CSA’s Ivan Matkovic emphatically headed home to level the game.
Toronto’s Mike Pulford came close to restoring the Lynx’s lead in the 32nd minute with a fierce drive from 25 yards, but Markiewicz made an excellent save to tip the effort over the crossbar to keep the teams level at the halftime break. Munaretto also had a good chance to give CSA the lead eight minutes into the second half, only to drag his effort wide of the right post, and Toronto would regain the lead 10 minutes later from the spot to move into the final.
Ironbound cruised into the final with a 3-0 victory against the F.A. Euro – New York Magic. The two teams will meet at 11:30 a.m. to conclude the tournament on Monday.
U17 Boys Results and Standings
Virginia Alliance Stay Alive
BRADENTON, Fla. – Virginia Alliance captured a crucial 3-1 win against the Toronto Lynx Jrs. Sunday to stay alive in the U17 supergroup at the 2013 Super Y-League North American Finals, presented by Nike. Virginia (2-1-0) will face Waza FC East on Monday, with the winner claiming the championship.
Trailing at the half against a determined Lynx Jrs. Squad, Virginia got a pair of goals from Caroline Fitzgerald and a penalty kick goal from Cari Best to break open the game.
Toronto took the lead early when Lindsay Hummelbrunner deflected Rachel Rygus’ shot into the net off a corner kick. Best evened the score four minutes after the half after being taken down in the box.
Toronto worked hard for the next 30 minutes to try to find the equalizer, but Virginia stayed dangerous with outside back Olivia Kobayaashi causing havoc down the left wing and coming close to adding to the lead on two occasions.
Fitzgerald eventually added to the lead in the 83rd minute when she buried the rebound after Haley Roy hit the crossbar, and Fitzgerald struck again three minutes later – once again with the play created by Roy.
“[Toronto] is a good team and the first half I thought they came out very organized,” Alliance Academy Head Coach German Peri said. “We saw a few weaknesses on the wings and we were able to exploit them. It was another strong performance after yesterday’s very physical game.
“After yesterday I thought we’d come out a little beat up, and we did, but they responded and I’m very happy with their performance.”