LAS VEGAS, Nevada – For more than a few clubs the Las Vegas College Showcase represents a call to refocus. With the high school season descending in the rearview mirror, it’s the chance for coaches to once again acclimate their players to the goals of their club squads.

Such was the case for the U17 Arsenal FC girls on Friday; it just took a half worth of play for them to get there.

Arsenal opened Day 1 of the showcase with a 2-0 victory over Hurricane FC 93 Shubert of Oklahoma. The team used second-half goals from Jasmine Martinez and Lo'eau LaBonta to serve notice – mostly to themselves – that they’re nearly back in spring form and ready to roll.

“We’re kind of defragmenting them with everyone coming back together,” said coach Cle Kooiman. “But I thought the second half we started to show the way that we play – we put on a clinic and (Hurricane FC) didn’t have many chances.”

During the first half, though, it was the Oklahoma group who were the aggressors. Attacking midfielder Cecilee Burdge moved the action forward with her quickness and assertive style. She split the Arsenal defense a time or two in the middle of the field and advanced the ball well to players like Catherine Birch, a great athlete who made strong runs on the right wing.

Coach Kerry Shubert was particularly liberal with his substitutions, which speaks to the team’s depth, and standouts included Leah Bickers, Anna Muselmann and Miriam Rhinehart. Rhinehart has committed to Oklahoma State, and is a versatile player with good athletic ability. She sent a great shot at Arsenal goalkeeper Jacqueline Kane, who has great size and mobility.

On the Arsenal side, the team’s talent was evident even when they weren’t clicking on all cylinders.

LaBonta, a national team player, is a special central midfielder with a great feel for the game. She has a great touch and awareness of the pressure around her. Brianna Gonzalez was another good contributor on a team dealing with the injury bug.

“We have one player with a broken foot and two with ACL injuries – it all happens during high school season,” Kooiman said.

U16 Mustang SC 2, PDA 0 

Another team convening for the first time in meaningful competition since the high school season, Mustang SC performed well in a match that drew the attention of a great deal of college coaches.

Briana Gaines led the way with a pretty goal during the first half – a laser from just inside the box that sent every Mustang player into celebration … except for Gaines.

“I had gotten kicked in the face just before that, so I was happy, it just hurt,” Gaines laughed. “I am mostly happy we won. We were ready to come back from high school; it’s always going to be hard because it’s a whole different style of play but we enjoy playing together.”

The Mustang SC team had recently played three friendlies in preparation for the showcase, and the tune up apparently paid off. Familiar with the prestigious reputation of PDA despite never having played them, the California group played some solid soccer.

“I was pleased with how we came back,” said coach Joe Owen. “We showed a lot of versatility in making adjustments during the match. That was key.”

Other observations

U16 FC Dallas attacker Jacqueline Choucair has a great right leg. She showed it off in a match with the Irvine Strikers and hit the crossbar on one bullet …Ashlynn Jones and Emily Byorth, of U15 Ohio Premier Eagles Green, had strong performances during a 0-0 draw with Concordia Fire. Byorth is a do-everything player who is a pinpoint passer and great with either foot. Gabrielle Seiler wowed for Concordia. She’s very skilled and smooth.

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