Saturday, December 7, 2013
BRADENTON, Fla. – The Kalamazoo Kingdom captured the second semifinal spot out of Group A following a convincing 4-0 win against the NJ Stallion Academy at the Super Y-League North American Finals presented by Nike.
Four different players scored for the Kingdom, who finished group play at 2-1-1 and will face the Florida Fire Juniors Sunday in a semifinal. The MPS Lady Crusaders and Seacoast United Mariners will meet in the other semi.
Cassidy Conner got the Kingdom going early, running onto a free kick by Hannah Phommavongsa in the fourth minute to start the scoring. New Jersey fought hard to get back in the game and came close to tying the score twice, with Sara Foley’s attempt saved by keeper Shea Mulvaney in the 19th minute and Sally Campuzano hitting the crossbar in the 22nd minute.
Kalamazoo was able to add to its lead in the 47th minute when Kathryn Nutter scored off a set piece, and Anyah Preston headed in a Libby VanderMolen free kick 10 minutes later to make it 3-0.
Chani Warfield completed the scoring with two minutes remaining.
“What we were looking for was a good team atmosphere and to play a good game and try to finish some goals, and I feel like that’s exactly what we accomplished today.” Kalamazoo Head Coach Chris Keenan said. “This is a long tournament and you need the team atmosphere to be lighthearted away from the pitch and competitive when you’re on it, but going out to have fun.
“If that happens, that’s the team that can get through that hard semifinal and be ready for the finals.”
U16 Girls Results and Standings
Benanma Leads Real Maryland Into Semis
BRADENTON, Fla. – Donald Benanma had a pair of goals as Real Maryland Futures advanced to the semifinals of the Boys U16 Division with a 3-1 victory against the Toronto Lynx at the 2013 Super Y-League North American Final, presented by Nike, at IMG Academy.
Toronto made a good start to the game, and came close to taking the lead in the fourth minute as Brandon Duarte was left unmarked in the penalty area. Real Maryland goalkeeper Nas Ebreahimnejad was on hand to make the save, however, and was solid throughout the contest.
The game then became scrappier, with both sides playing physically for most of a contentious opening 20 minutes. It would be Real Maryland that would take the lead in the 22nd minute, though, as Kelly Marah took advantage of a giveaway in midfield by Toronto to race in on goal and fire into the left corner of the net.
There then came a span of three goals in four minutes, the first coming for Real Maryland as Juwan Kearson was brought down in the penalty area in the 28th minute. Benanma stepped up and converted from the spot to give his side a 2-0 lead, but that would be short-lived as a minute later Toronto pulled a goal back through Jaren Pryce from a free kick.
Benanma would strike again two minutes later as he found space in the right side of the penalty area and rifled home a finish to make the score 3-1 at the halftime break.
The game continued at a solid pace in the second half, but neither side was able to find a decisive final pass or finish from distance as Toronto tried to get back into the game. The Lynx’s best chance after the break came with 14 minutes to play as Ewen Hendry was played in behind the defense, but his shot was well saved by Ebreahimnejad to keep the Lynx’s two-goal lead.
Real Maryland would then see out the victory, and will now face Alliance Academy in Sunday’s semifinals. Despite the defeat, Toronto also advanced as the best second-placed side on goal difference, and they will face an all-Canada affair as the Lynx host the Ottawa Fury FC for a place in the final.