GA Champions Cup U19 Final: Shore Prevails

by Victor Olorunfemi

March 12, 2024

BRADENTON, Fla. -- In a final for the ages that had everything one could have wanted, from world-class goals to clutch moments, penalty kick heroics, and rival chants in the stands, South Shore Select bested Colorado Rapids for the U19 GA Champions Cup trophy.

The start of the game was electric, and not just on the pitch. In the fan section of an impressive IMG Academy stadium, a few dozen youth Colorado Rush members began loud chants supporting the players on the pitch. In response, a similar group for South Shore chanted back, creating an amusing and feverish atmosphere that gave the match the feel of a professional final.

And true to the nature of most heated affairs, while there was plenty of physical play and trash talk on the field, the scoreboard remained tied with no real chances despite the Colorado Rush dominating possession. South Shore showed impressive defensive organization, and it paid off as Lily Gibbs snagged a go-ahead goal near the 70th minute as she beat her defender 1-on-1 on the left wing and unleased a perfect long-range curler into the top corner. In response, the Providence commit sprinted over to the Colorado Rush fan section, placing her finger over closed lips in a gesture meant to symbolize how her goal silenced their chants.

Facing the grim reality of a final loss, the Rush changed formations and threw everything forward in desperation. But even when they beat an impressive backline led by Makenna Marshall at center back, the formidable Natalie Mutschler was in goal, using her imposing size and admirable fundamentals to repel all attempts. That was until the 89th minute, where an audacious corner by Samantha Edwards caught the Villanova commit off-guard and nestled into the back of the net for a clutch game-tying Olympic goal.

As the Colorado Rush erupted into a celebratory frenzy of joy and relief, there was a nagging feeling that a keeper as impressive as Mutschler would find a way to make amends. And she sure did with two penalty kick saves in the penalty shootout, athletically diving to her left both times to make clean stops and hand the East Coast squad a hard-fought trophy.

MVP: Natalie Mutschler, South Shore Select

Related Topics: Big East