Racine Spartans [Fall 2006] Girls U-18 - Team Event
National Soccer Ranking (NSR) Gold Cup Tournament - Naperville IL
The Racine Spartans Girls U-18 [Fall 2006] traveled to the
National Soccer Ranking Gold Cup [Naperville] Tournament
held on September 01-04 2006. National Soccer Ranking tournaments (commonly referred to
as NSR tournaments) are held to provide the best teams in the country the
opportunity to compete against each other. The Gold Cup is sponsored by the Naperville
Lightening Soccer Clubs and features some of the best Region II / Midwest teams.
The U19 age grouping was divided into two competitive flights, with the Racine Spartans
competing in what is referred to as the Regional bracket, intended for teams that are
not yet ranked by NSR.
The Racine Spartans Girls U-18 White pose for a picture during the awards ceremonies.
The Spartans advanced to the championship game, losing a well contested match to the Mequon Soccer Club U-18 Red, 2-1. Mequon will be competing in the Midwest Regional League during the Fall 2006 season. Racine started the tournament sluggishly but managed to advance to the championship match with a 1-1-1 record. A goal differential tie breaking system gave Racine the edge over the Darien Attack.
Game #1: Racine Spartans: 2 Darien [IL] Attack: 2
Racine controlled much of this game but had to score very late in the game
to salvage a tie. Racine gave up an early goal to fall behind right
from the start of the match and could never really challenge Darien's
goalkeeper. Darien had very few scoring opportunities but managed to
convert when they had the chance.
Late in the game, Sam Schiro found a crease in the defense and managed
to put one past Darien's keeper as Racine was grateful to escape with
the tie.
Racine's Miranda Outlaw does her trademark catwalk across the box as she
looks to create a scoring opportunity against the Little Illini Soccer Club.
Game #2: Racine Spartans: 6 Little Illini Soccer Club [IL]: 2
Coming into this game with a tie against the Darien Attack, the Spartans
needed to take control of this contest early and post a convincing win
if they wanted to advance out of group play. The Spartans eventually fulfilled
part of that goal but taking control of the game early was not a factor.
Racine fell behind 2-0 to the Little Illini after 15 minutes of play and
it looked all but certain that Racine would be making an early tournament
exit. However, following a few game time adjustments and a relentless attack
that looked to stretch the Illini's defense as much as possible, the Spartans
tied the game by the half and went on to score four more unanswered goals
in the second half. The attacks came from all angles and several Spartans tallied.
Racine's Melinda Mathias challenges a header in the championship match against
the Mequon Soccer Club U-18 Red. Although Racine scored first, Mequon came back
to win 2-1.
Game #3: Racine Spartans: 1 Rockford Sirens [IL]: 2
The Spartans came into this game knowing that a win would guarantee
a trip to the championship game and that keeping the game close would
most likely be good enough to advance as well. They also knew that the
Rockford team was a physical, fast-paced team that would an attacking
style of soccer.
Sure enough ... the Sirens scored less than a minute into the game and
the contest was fast, physical and hotly contested. After one of their
co-captains, Katie Nehm, suffered a mild concussion [and was taken to
the hospital], the Spartans rallied to tie the game. Unfortunately, the
Sirens responded with another score with about five minutes left in the
match. Nonetheless, the close match was good enough for Racine to advance.
Game #4: Racine Spartans: 1 Mequon SC U-18 Red: 2
The Spartans and Mequon had scrimmage in early August so each team
knew what to expect coming into this match. In that scrimmage, Mequon
defeated Racine 3-0, although most of the game a 1-0 contest. The
Spartans were hoping to learn from that encounter and make the
adjustments required to grab a win in this championship match.
The match was scoreless for the first 20 minutes until Laura Lins
received a well played pass across the box and put it past the keeper.
It was the first time the Spartans had scored first in this tournament
and the only time they had a lead during the first half of play. It
was perhaps a good omen, although Racine was aware that Mequon is a
disciplined and deliberate team that rarely takes themselves out of
a match. Lins' goal was the only score of the first half.
The second half saw Mequon scoring twice in the first 15 minutes of
play to take a 2-1 lead. The game then settled into an even battle
whereby both teams had scoring opportunities but the each goalkeeper
kept their team in the match. For the second time in this tournament,
Mequon had come from behind in the second half of play to win the game.
Settling for a second place finish in the U-19 Regional Flight, the
Spartans knew they had played a good team and had played them well. It
was an improvement from their earlier scrimmage.
Picture [Left]:
Kristy Hartnell and Mequon's center
midfielder battle for a ball in the air.