Super-20 Finals Championship Game
Sunday, July 24, 2011
BRANDON, Fla. – Ashley Clark’s overtime goal gave Triangle FC a thrilling 4-3 victory against Reading United AC and the USL Women’s Super-20 North American championship on Sunday morning at J.C. Handley Park.
Clark’s goal came midway through the second half of overtime. Capping incredible tournament, Clark made a late run into the penalty area, was picked out by Samantha Burch, and guided the ball into the upper corner with a fantastic side-footed finish. In a thrilling game, Triangle kept Reading at bay for the rest of overtime to capture the USL Women’s Super-20 Championship.
"Big time players step up in big time moments,” Triangle coach Pete Sadin said. “She scored a fantastic free kick and the winner in overtime, which was when we needed her to be at her best and she was fantastic."
The first half saw both teams share possession, with Reading claiming the majority of scoring chances. But Clark was a threat all tournament with three goals entering the match, and she turned provider as Triangle opened the scoring. Beating a defender out on the right flank, Clark cut inside and beat a Reading center back. The ball fell to Caitlin Ball, who slotted the ball into the lower right corner of the net.
Within two minutes, Reading brought itself level. Madison Clemens found herself free at the corner of the penalty area, unleashing a low drive inside the near post. But while Reading continued to see more of the ball, Triangle still found a way to carve out chances. The constant pressure from Triangle put Reading on its heels and Clark nearly put her team ahead midway through the first half, after a rebound fell to her feet at the edge of the six-yard box. The shot went just wide of the target, much to the relief of the Reading defenders.
Triangle found its second goal just minutes later as Burch’s first touch just outside the penalty area took her away from the Reading defenders. A great dipping strike dipped under the crossbar, giving Triangle a 2-1 halftime lead.
Reading got back on even terms early in the second half when Regina Stump was brought down inside the penalty area. A composed spot kick to the lower right corner leveled the score.
Soon after, Clark found herself back on the score sheet. A well-driven free kick was deflected at the top of the penalty area, but found its way to the corner of the goal for Clark’s fourth goal of the tournament. Triangle then looked to apply the knockout blow to Reading and build on their 3-2 lead. Burch lifted ball over her marker and found herself in on a breakaway, but the goalkeeper saved for Reading.
As the game went from one end to the other, Reading’s Melissa Rowan found another equalizer from the left side of the box. After a good first touch toward goal, she struck a low drive just inside the far post, leveling the score at 3-3. This thrilling contest continued to open up late in the match as both sets of players faced fatigue and intense heat.
Reading’s late goal sent the game to overtime, but there Triangle which had defeated Reading 2-1 in the opening group game of the tournament for both teams, proved to have too much as Clark’s goal gave Triangle its third Women’s title in four years after taking victory in 2008 and 2009.