LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – Northerners who came to central Florida this week hoping for some tropical weather, got something out of the tropical rain forest instead.

This had a dramatic impact on matches on day 2 of the Disney Soccer Showcase, presented by Chelsea Football Club. As the heavy rains fell at Disney Wide World of Sports, the already-weathered fields began to get very muddy, and the fundamental issue of the ball rolling began to be a question.

For U17 Showcase Division teams like Clearwater Chargers and Syosset Sting, the weather was just a sidelight to the story their impressive comebacks on the day.

Syosset FC Sting 2, Ponte Vedra Storm 2
The New Yorkers looked down and out with 15 minutes remaining, but a Liana Cornacchio-inspired comeback salvaged a point against a very talented Ponte Vedra team in U.S. Youth Soccer National League play.

The Florida side’s Morgan Brian is as talented a player as you will see here at the event. Her 1st half goal gave Ponte Vedra a lead, but her class and skill in the midfield was entertaining to watch, especially before it started pouring again. Brian sees the field as well as anyone and has the technique to make the ball do what she wants it to for Luis Torres’ team. She will be playing college soccer for Patrick Baker’s Georgia Bulldogs after her 2011 graduation date.

Allison Brashear doubled the Ponte Vedra lead after taking a pass early in the 2nd half Madeline Forrestal on the left, dodging a defender and then providing a good finish. As the rain began coming down in sheets, it looked like Syosset was well-beaten. Ponte Vedra defenders Annie Bobbitt and Carson Pickett were dealing with everything, but Syosset’s Cornacchio struck a ball from 35 yards that slipped through the goalkeeper’s hands and into the net to make it 2-1.

The New Yorkers then began to pour on the pressure. Emily Lipari’s running on the left was making a difference. Also, Cornacchio has a very long throw and was using it to great effect. Syosset got the equalizer when Raychel Diver headed home after just such a long serve from deep in the Ponte Vedra end.

That wasn’t the end of the drama however, both teams had further chances to score in the final few minutes, most dramatically when Ponte Vedra’s Gabby Ragazzo caught the goalkeeper off her line, but her shot was cleared off the line by Syosset defender Gabrielle Charno to preserve the draw.

Clearwater Chargers 2, Scorpions SC 2
In a non-league match, Sierra Lelii scored a pair of 2nd half matches to lead a spirited comeback and earn a draw.

Keith Caldwell’s Scorpions went up in the 1st half when Cory Ryan capitalized on a miscue and powered the ball into an open net. Ryan made it 2-0 after taking a good pass from Melissa Gavin and running in from the left to provide a good finish.

Scorpions’ defenders Gianna Roma and Kelsey Varzeas both showed good qualities in the back line. Roma has the ability to play her way out of trouble and distributes well to waiting midfielders. Varzeas is good in the air and clears her lines well.

In the 2nd half, Clearwater’s Lelii nearly scored with an audacious chip from 40 yards out, but Scorpions’ keeper Emily Brook did well to push the effort over the crossbar. Lelii was just getting started however, and she brought her team back into the match by scoring on a pass from Molly Ganther to make it 2-1.

As Clearwater pushed forward in a desperate bid to equalize, they were leaving themselves exposed at the back, forcing their U17 GNT goalkeeper Bryane Heaberline to serves as a de facto sweeper, rushing out of her penalty area to make emergency clearances on more than one occasion.

Clearwater got the equalizer when Ganther sent a lovely through ball from the right in transition. Lelii won the race to the ball and put it in the back of the net for a 2-2 scoreline. As the heaviest rains began, the chances on goal began to subside, but it will be Clearwater, winners of the qualifying tournament to this event, who will feel better about the final result.

Friday Showcase Division Results

U18
Eclipse Select 3, Laurel Lightning 0
Florida Rush 12, Match Fit Chelsea 0
Vista Shockwave 1, Atlanta Fire United 1
Space Coast United 4, Birmingham United 0
GSA Phoenix 4, Davis SC 2
Delaware Blue Monkeys 1, Albertson SC 0
Loudoun Red 3, Patriots FC 1
Woodbury Inferno 2, AFC Lightning 0

U17
Michigan Hawks 5, Hibernian FC 1
Scorpions SC 2, Clearwater Chargers 2
Pride SC 3, Cleveland FC 1
Penn Fusion 4, GSA Phoenix 1
Montclair United 3, Dallas Texans 2
Syosset FC 2, Ponte Vedra Storm 2
PDA Tsunami 1, Real Colorado 0
Eclipse Select 2, Sting 93 1
Lonestar SC 3, Charlotte SC 0
Ohio Elite 5, FC Dallas 2
Bethesda SC 1, D’Feeters 1
Ohio Premier Eagles 1, Stars of Massachusetts 0

U16
Chantilly Burn 1, ASA Xtreme 1
PBA Magic 2, Carmel United Elite 1
Mclean Strikers 1, Michigan Hawks 0
Real New Jersey 2, Rio Vista FC 1
Dallas Texans 1, NSA Premier Fury 1
Penn Strikers 2, KC Select Scream 0
Solar 94 Red 2, Albertson Fury 1
Birmingham United 2, Real Colorado 0

 

U15

Elk Grove Everton 3, Mount Laurel United 0

VSA Heat 1, GSA Phoenix 1

North Atlanta SA 2, Chantilly Firecats 1

Penn Fusion 3, Central Florida 0

Scorpions SC 8, NSA Fireballs 0

Dallas Texans 2, Sockers FC 0

CASL Spartan Elite 2, Concorde Fire Elite 0

Real Colorado 1, Challenge SC 0

PDA Celtic 2, St. Louis Scott Gallagher 0

Charlotte SC 2, D'Feeters 0

Eclipse Select 1, Herndon Hotspur 0

Sting 95 5, Stars of Massachusetts 0