last updated: July 3, 2006

Racine Spartans [Fall 2006] Girls U-18 - Team Event

RELATED LINKS: Photo Gallery #18 - Tournament Photos

Kansas City Legends College Showcase Tournament

The Racine Spartans Girls U-18 [Fall 2006] traveled to the KC [Kansas City, MO] Legends College Showcase Tournament held on July 1-2 2006. College showcase tournaments follow a format slightly different from most tournaments in that team standings are not maintained and as such, there is no tournament champion. Rather, the event is organized to provide college coaches with the opportunity to evaluate players that are considering college-level soccer. The format naturally attracts higher level teams and provides college coaches with a valuable opportunity to get a first hand view of a pool of committed youth players.

Sandwiched between two 9 hour drives, the Spartans played three 90 minute games in 90 degree heat during a 20 hour stretch. With a roster of only 13 players, the event provided everyone with a a lot of playing time and served as a reminder of how important fitness is when looking to compete at a high level of soccer.

With various groups of coaches looking on, the Spartans made a good showing with a 2-1 record; falling to the Nebraska State Cup Runner-Up, Azzurri Valencia, in the final game of what proved to be a physically demanding event. For more details, see game summaries below.

A special 'thank you' to Emily Gibson and Molly Bortin of the Mequon and FC Milwaukee clubs respectively, for participating in the tournament with the Spartans. Also, kudos to Joey BigLenza for capturing the action like only a BigLenza can. Click on any of the thumbnails along the left hand side of this page for a larger view.

Game #1:   Racine Spartans: 3     Quad Cities United: 2
After jumping out to a 3-0 lead, the Spartans held on for a one goal victory against a game team from the Quad Cities. Gina began the scoring with a goal ten minutes into the game. That was followed by goals by Jenna Schonert and Caroline Crehan. The second half of the game saw the Spartans on the defensive side of the ball more than usual as the mid day heat (95 degrees) took its toll on a squad with only two substitutes.


Racine Spartans with coach Issy Martinez at the Legends Showcase Tournament in Kansas City

Game #2:   Racine Spartans: 5     NFC Adelante: 3
Three hours later, the Spartans were back on the pitch, with Gina Christenbury scoring in the first minute of play and adding three more goals on the way to a 5-3 victory over the NFC (Omaha) Adelante. Although played at 5:45 pm, game time temperature was still in the 90s. The Spartans built up a 3-1 lead and held off a tough team from Nebraska 5-3.


Gina Christenbury of the Racine Spartans advances the attack against the NFC Adelante.

Game #3:   Racine Spartans: 1     Azzurri Valencia [Omaha NE]: 5
True to form, the Spartans struck first in this match between two undefeated teams. However, Azzurri, the 2006 Nebraska State Cup Runner Up, maintained their offensive attack and tied the game with a score later in the first half. Azzuri struck again ten minutes into the second half and the Spartans withered late in the game to give up a flurry of scores during the last 10 minutes of the match.