ZAREPHATH, NJ – After getting several inches of snow the night before, Saturday was a beautiful afternoon for some soccer at the ECNL Players Development Program. With the regional program bringing together some of the top players in the Northeast, the group was broken down into four teams, with two scrimmages held on Saturday.

Here's how things played out:

Game 1: Team 1 vs. Team 2

Led by two goals from Andrea O'Brien, Team 2 defeated its Team 1 counterpart 3-2.

Despite the nature of the day, and teams cobbled together with little preparation together, both were well prepared to play. There was equal possession throughout both halves and quick movement on and off the ball from various players. The quick transitioning from defense to offense made a lot of dangerous chances around the goal for both teams. 

Team 2's Christina Wakefield opened the scoring, before O'Brien struck twice to extend the lead to 3-0. Although Team 1 was down, they did not give up and grabbed two in the second half to finish off the scoring. Erica Kosienski had the first goal and the second was finished by Taylor Bucklin from a well executed through ball from Kayla Smith.

Notes:

Kayla Smith, Team 1: Smith was always active the entire game. She is a very energetic player who always got herself in the right positions to support her teammates. She was quick to get back on defense when her team had lost possession and looked to take it forward to goal or get a cross when her team was attacking.

Colby Ciarrocca, Team 1: Ciarrocca was a very calm when receiving the ball. She had good distrubution to her teammates and executed many successful passes to her forwards.

Andrea O'Brien, Team 2: She had two goals in the game – the first was scored when the opposing team lost possession of the ball in their defensive half of the field. Andrea took advantage of this and slotted away a perfect goal. She than got her second when she worked hard off the ball to get into a good position to receive and shoot upper 90. 

Game 2: Team 3 vs. Team 4

Both teams started off a little slow to begin with but the pace picked up quickly, with Team 3 grabbing the only goal on the day in a 1-0 victory.

Marissa Sheva tallied off a brilliant through ball played by midfielder and teammate Rachel Corboz. It was a perfect pass with a well-executed finish. Throughout the rest of the game both teams battled to try and put another goal away but the score remained 1-0.

Notes:

Rachel Corboz, Team 3: An excellent and composed center midfielder, Corboz has great vision of the field and helped her team keep control of the ball in the middle of the field.

Salma Anastasio, Team 3: Another a very creative playe, she made good runs up the field to try and get in the attacking position all game.

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