CARSON, Calif - The Nike Friendlies for Girls came to a close today here at Home Depot Center, with a strong performance by the U14 Girls National Team a highlight of closing play.


Editor's Note: We had planned to feature the U15 Girls National Team match against Real Colorado's U17 squad, but the time and field for the match were moved without our knowing.


Game 1: U.S. U14 GNT Stripes 3, PDA U16s 1


It was all business for the U14 BNT Stripes this morning as they jumped all over the PDA team early and often.

Both teams started off the game by committing multiple fouls. The U.S. was able to move the ball around quickly with good off-the-ball work and quick passes that kept PDA on their heels. The U.S. pressure paid off in the 20th minute as a free kick by Ohio's Ashley Meier was met by the head of California's Katherine Bettinger and put in the back of the net for the 1-0 scoreline.

PDA responded well with good efforts from outside the box but nothing to really trouble USA Goalkeeper and New Yorker Christina Sarokon. A good combination in the middle of the field by team USA combined with a beautiful through pass by Meier, set free outside defender and fellow Buckeye Melissa Bomberger on a breakaway. Bomberger stayed calm and composed on the full sprint and tucked the ball past PDA keeper Lauren Viverito to go up 2-0 in the 35th minute. The second goal demoralized the PDA team and caused team USA to relax a little bit more as both teams did not create any more scoring opportunities for the half.
 

Both teams recharged and PDA came out with a new focus as they began to find their passing game. Moving the ball around it was hard not to recognize that the #6 for PDA Daphne Corboz was setting the tempo of the game as she received and delivered lots of passes from all areas of the field. Team USA created the first dangerous chance of the second half however when San Jose forward Mariana Galvan received a ball on top of the box, toe poked the ball and forced a good save out of Viverito who tipped it off the crossbar and out of play.

PDA continued to move the ball well as forward Stafanie Scholz had a shot from the top of the box saved by USA keeper Christina Sarokon in the 55th minute. PDA forced another save out of Sarokon as she saved a free kick from PDA midfielder Danielle Colaprico. Colaprico had another chance 10 minutes later as she sent a shot from the left side just inches wide of the right post.

Team USA responded to the pressure and put to rest any thoughts of a comeback as USA and New Jersey forward Brittany Ratcliffe got into the box and touched it around the PDA keeper who brought her down for a penalty kick. Ratcliffe stepped up to take the PK and put it away for a 3-0 score line in the 80th minute. PDA continued to push for a goal and their persistence paid off right before the final whistle as a free kick from Corboz was flicked in nicely by Jessica Musmanno for the final score of 3-1.


Overall, both teams struggled to find space in the game as the girls chose to play mostly in the center of the midfield. There were lots of chances for both teams to score, however the U.S. was able to capitalize on their chances more then PDA.
 

Standout Players:

U.S. U14 GNT Stripes

#15 Brittany Ratcliffe, Forward, Franklin Twp. New Jersey - With excellent speed and strength, Brittany was able to outmuscle and outpace the PDA defenders causing the defense into double teaming her which created openings for her teammates

#6 Cari Roccaro, Defender, East Islip, NY - Although listed as a forward, Cari is a stud of a defender in the center of the backline. During the match she did not get beat once on 1vs 1 confrontations, and was able to get over and play excellent help defense for her team.

PDA

#6 Daphne Corboz Center Midfielder- Daphne played a solid game in the middle with good distribution and great leadership, she was the source of the best attacking plays for PDA

#5 Carly D'Esposito Defender- Carly came provided a good source of energy for PDA, she attacked from the wide positions with a lot of speed and was able to deliver very accurate crosses from the wing

Lineups

U.S. U14 GNT Stripes: GK Christina Sarokon, Reagan Robinshaw, Ashley Meier, Mariah Powers, Cari Roccaro, Katherine Bettinger, Miranda Freeman, Courtney Kobashigawa, Kristen McNabb, Reilly Parker, Brittany Ratcliffe
Substitutes: Elaina Musleh, Melissa Bomberger, Haley Washburn, Jana Jeffrey, Mariana Galvan, GK Cassandra Sternbach, Loren Reilley

 
PDA: GK Lauren Viverito, Sarah Fichtner, Carly D'Esposito, Daphne Corboz, Amanda Flugstad-Clark, Morgan Kennedy, Kyarah Foushee, Kaitlin Hogman, Jordan Goodwin, Alexandra Kearns, Danielle Colaprico
Substitutes: GK Gabriella Primera, Jessica Musmanno, Kimberly Dahl, Jordan Downs, Katie Deturo, Marissa Madison



Game 2: Real So Cal 2, Seacoast United 1 (U17s)


This game pitted two teams together from opposite ends of the country on Sunday morning. Real So Cal from the San Fernando Valley, and Seacoast United based in Hampton, New Hampshire.

Right off the kickoff it was apparent that these teams were ready to play. Seacoast had the first two chances of the game, with forward Kelley Griffin hitting a shot just over the bar in the first minute, and sending a header just wide just seconds later. Real So Cal created some chances of their own. In the 10th minute, standout midfielder Arianna Martinez delivered a beautiful cross which was headed just over the bar by forward Natalie Lagunas. The game went back and forth with Seacoast United getting the next golden chance as Griffin once again worked hard for a point blank shot that was tipped over by So Cal keeper Dana Moreno in the 30th minute. Moreno was the source of the first goal of the game as she punted the ball downfield to a wide open Martinez who took the ball in stride and finished into the left side of the net for the 1-0.

Seacoast United's response was immediate, as they tied the score up 1-1 in the 40th minute. Forward Tori McCombs received the ball with her back to goal turned, and blew past two So Cal defenders and fired a shot into the right side of the net with her left foot. Just before halftime McCombs had a chance to put her team ahead, this time from the right side but her shot hit the post as the referee blew for the halftime whistle.

Both teams came out of the half looking for the early goal as McCombs had an early shot saved by Moreno. In the 55th minute Real So Cal midfielder Martinez had a chance to double her tally but her shot from the right side slid just outside of the far post. Real So Cal turned up the pressure and began to get some golden chances as forward Michelle Manning had a shot saved from GK Alyssa Smith in the 60th minute. Smith continued to come up with big saves as she stopped 3 shots in the next 10 minutes by Natalie Lagunas of Real So Cal.
Lagunas was finally able to put one past Smith in the 80th minute on a breakaway, Lagunas slid the ball off the inside of the right post to take the lead at 2-1. Seacoast United forwards McCombs, and Griffin continued to pose a threat but just could not seem to find the finishing touch to tie it up as the game came to an end at 2-1.

After the game I had a chance to speak with the Real So Cal coach Marwan Ass'ad. I asked Marwan how close his team was to match fitness. Marwan mentioned that his team was nowhere near being match fit, but that his team played well and that they would be looking forward to some time off.

I then asked coach Marwan at this age group what is his priority as far as the girls going into the season. Coach said that taking care of his seniors was his priority and making sure they get the exposure they need in order to be seen by college coaches.

The last question I had for Marwan was if there was anything that concerned him and other coaches as they enter the new year on such a high level team. He said that it saddens him sometimes that the game at that age is results driven, that parents want to see nothing but results. Marwan is a old fashioned very successful coach who said, "I still believe that the development of players should still be the priority for every soccer fan, player, and coach."

 

Standout Players

Real So Cal:

#23 Ariana Martinez Right Midefielder- Ariana's pace made her a threat on every possession, when she was able to go 1 vs. 1 she more often then not got around her defender and produced dangerous services into the box.

#10 Natalie Lagunas Forward- Natalie has breakaway speed, and is able to finish with both feet. She is also a very physical forward who makes very good diagonal runs.

#70 Kishi Smith Defender- Kishi is a big defender with the ability to drop 50-70 yard balls on a dime. She switched the field of play a half a dozen times which kept the opposing teams opposite defenders honest.

Seacoast United:

#5 Tori McCombs Forward- Tori has excellent speed and created lots of problems for the defense, she was able to go to her right or left foot and provide a constant threat to the attack

#16 Michaela Cowgill Defensive Midfielder- Michaela controlled the middle of the field better than any other midfielder in this game. She was a standout with her positioning and her timely tackles on defense. On offense she often initiated the attack with her short but very accurate passing.

Lineups

Real So Cal: GK Dana Moreno, Megan Erskine, Nitalia Zuniga, Amber Pimley, Dana Williams, Natalie Lagunas, Danny Cardenas, Michelle Manning, Tori Baldridge, Ariana Martinez, Kishi Smith
Substitutes: Courtney Miller-Sheets, Erika Quinonez, CaryAnn Parrish, Holly Hein, Jenna Fischer, Michelle Somers
 
Seacoast United: GK Alyssa Smith, Katie Schwindel, Emma Furlone, Tori McCombs, Emily Hannon, Gaby Ransom, Kelley Griffin, Emma Clark, Cally Quinn, Michaela Cowgill, Kelsi O'Neil
Substitutes: Storie Umsheid, Autumn Jordan, Christine Ferguson, Brittany Mosier, Emily Lodge, Jessica Leberman

 

U15 Girls National Team Roster for Nike Friendlies (courtesy US Soccer)

GOALKEEPERS (4): Anna Cassell (Salt Lake City, Utah), Miranda Cornejo (Vista, Calif.), Bryane Heaberlin (St. Petersburg, Fla.), Abby Smith (Dallas, Texas);
DEFENDERS (7): Brannon Olivia (Troy, Mich.), Megan Hunsberger, (Bethlehem, Pa.), Abigail Lutzenkirchen, (Marietta, Ga.), Marie MacKenzie (Palmdale, Calif.), Sarah Molina (Rocky River, Ohio), Kathryn Nigro (Livingston, Tenn.), Samantha Phillips (Chesapeake, Va.);
MIDFIELDERS (9): Kaysie Clark (Liberty, Mo.), Caprice Dydasco (Honolulu, Hawaii), Alexandra Doll (Bethesda, Md.), Alexandra Heffron, (Lowell, Mich.), Loeau LaBonta (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.), Shelby Payne (Lutz, Fla.), Haley Rosen (Palos Verdes, Calif.), Olivia Schultz (Hopkins, Minn.), Karin Simonian (Westbury, N.Y.);
FORWARDS (4): Shea Groom (Liberty, Mo.), Christina Murillo (Ojai, Calif.), Cate Parchinski (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Emily Sippel (Beaverton, Ore.)