Vancouver Whitecaps U-12 Girls finished off their Nike Friendship Cup in Portland, Oregon, dropping the final game to Washington ODP U-13 Girls and leaving them with a record of a win, a draw and two defeats.
The Whitecaps opened the Nike Cup Friday night with an impressive 1-1 draw against the U-13 Oregon ODP team. On Saturday, the 'Caps split their games after losing 1-0 to WSM Fury 93', but bouncing back with a strong game to beat the U-12 state champions THUSC Sodium 2-1.
On Sunday, despite a strong first half, the 'Caps gave up three second half goals to lose 3-1 to Washington ODP.
“The team showed great perseverance and skill this weekend,” said head coach Jesse Symons. “The group really came together and are beginning to play as a cohesive unit offensively and defensively. This weekend has been very good for the players to play against top level opposition and I look forward to taking this team to the San Diego Surf Cup in July.”
GAME REPORTS
May 25 - Whitecaps U-12 Girls 0 vs. Washington U-13 ODP 3
The Whitecaps were coming off a strong game against the U-12 state champions from Oregon and were looking to continue the high level of play against the U-13 Washington ODP team.
For the first 25 minutes of the game, the young Whitecaps controlled the tempo of the game and were unlucky to not be in the lead.
The second half saw Washington take over the game and score in the second minute off a shot from 18 yards out into the top right-hand corner. While the Whitecaps pressed to get back in the game, Washington scored two more times to put the game out of reach.
Game Notes:
6' Sam Dion's corner kick found Alex Fiorvento unmarked, but her header went over the crossbar.
11' Nikki Turney slotted a ball through to an on rushing Chelsea Harkins, but she missed the target.
12' Mikaela Guerreiro struck a ball coming to her off of a Sam Dion corner kick that just missed the right side of the net.
14' Sam Dion takes a free kick from 19 yards out that made the goalkeeper make a diving save to her left. Nikki Turney followed in for the rebound, but missed the net with her attempt.
15' Austin Studer does well to save a shot at the near post off of a Washington corner kick.
17' A great combination attack beginning with Chelsea Harkins slipping a ball through to Reetu Johal, who found Mikaela Guerreiro racing down the middle of the field, but her shot was blocked at the last moment by a Washington defender.
19' A Sam Dion corner was flicked to an unmarked Chelsea Harkins at the back post, but she missed the net with her attempt.
35' Another very good attacking pattern beginning with Kyra Steer at left fullback finding Mikaela Guerreiro. She slipped a ball forward to Casandra Silveri, who put Aman Shergill on a breakaway, but unfortunately missed the net.
May 24 - Whitecaps U-12 Girls 0 vs. WSM Fury 93” 1
The Whitecaps were facing the fourth-ranked team in Oregon and semifinalists of the Oregon State Cup. The Fury were also champions of the 2008 LV Premier Invitational.
Vancouver began extremely strong against the much bigger and stronger WSM Fury. The best chance came in the minute 22 when Aman Shergill was put in alone on goal, but hit the ball just over the crossbar. Austin Studer was very solid in goal for the Whitecaps in the first half, coming out strong and holding every cross and shot that came her way. In the second half, the WSM Fury were able to fight through down the right side and strike a ball past Payge Pena to go up 1-0 at the 50’ mark.
The Whitecaps kept pressing for the equalizer and were awarded with a glorious chance with five minutes left when Reetu Johal put Nikki Turney in on a breakaway, but Turney fired just wide. The Whitecaps had three late corners, but were unable to find the back of the net.
Strong performances were put in by Alex Fiorvento and Ruby Sandhu at center back. The duo won every ball in the air and controlled the other teams forwards extremely well.
May 24 - Whitecaps U-12 Girls 2 vs.THUSC Sodium 95’ 1
The Whitecaps followed up their morning game with a late Saturday exhibition match arranged against Tualatin Hills United Sodium 95/96. Tualatin are the top-ranked team in the state of Oregon and are currently ranked number six in the USA.
With a very physical game in the morning, the Whitecaps came out a little flat allowing a goal against the run of play at the five minute mark on a defensive miscue. The tide turned for the Whitecaps at the nine-minute mark, as Aman Shergill was taken down in the box for a penalty shot. Mikaela Kautzky stepped up to take the shot, but hit it over the crossbar.
The Whitecaps kept pressing and were rewarded three minutes later on a strike by Kaely Biring, who hit the ball into the top left corner to tie the game at 1-1. The Whitecaps kept pushing for the go-ahead goal. A nifty through ball from Mikaela Guerreiro at the top of the 18-yard box put Reetu Johal in alone, but it was saved well by the THUSC keeper. Johal then turned playmaker after beating two players wide on the right, then slipping a pass to Aman Shergill, who hit the ball just wide.
The second half was more of the same, with the Whitecaps desperate to take the lead. Chances came five minutes in when Shergill just missed the back post with a strike at the top of the 18-yard box. Just two minutes later, Kyra Steer saw her strike just miss the back post. On 23 minutes, the best chance of the half came when Nikki Turney crossed a ball into the box to a wide open Casandra Silveri, who unfortunately could not get the ball out of her feet quick enough to finish.
The Whitecaps kept pressing, with Chelsea Harkins making great runs with the ball to carve through the THUSC backline, but was unsuccessful with her finishing on the day. With seconds remaining, the Whitecaps were finally rewarded for all their hard work when Mikaela Kautzky lofted a ball over the back four of the THUSC defence for Aman Shergill to get on the end of with a full volley into the top-right corner.
Good performances were put in by Nadia Karmali, Julia Lauzon, Jenna Phipps and Kyra Steer at the full back position constantly getting forward and joining the Whitecaps attack. Mikaela Guerreiro was the player of the match in the central of midfield, creating many chances in the second half and energy for the tired Whitecaps squad.
May 23 - Whitecaps U-12 Girls 1 vs. Oregon U-13 ODP 1
The Whitecaps opened with lots of energy and several chances, including a through ball by Samantha Dion at the edge of the box to Aman Shergill, who fired just wide. Just before the half, the Whitecaps connected on a strike from Nikki Turney. Reetu Johal received the ball off a deflected cross on the right side, beat an Oregon player and then struck a low hard shot to the back post. The Oregon goalkeeper made a diving save to her right, but Turney pounced on the rebound to finish.
Turney almost put the 'Caps up 2-0 by winning a ball on the left wing to allow herself to attack on goal, but just saw her shot go off the outside netting.
The second half saw a motivated Oregon side fight back into the match and take control of the game after striking an equalizer past Whitecaps goalkeeper Payge Pena. The Whitecaps weathered the storm and returned to the attack with two near misses by Chelsea Harkins and Mikaela Guerreiro.
Outstanding performances were put in by Mikaela Kautzky and Samantha Dion, who controlled the game with very good positioning and composure on the ball.
