The U.S. U15 Girls National Team camp drew to a close with a tough match against the women of Loyola Marymount on Friday at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

After a week in which they faced stiff competition from clubs around the area, the U.S. squad overcame disadvantages in age and experience to pass their final test of the week, coming through with a 1-1 draw against the college team.  

It was a fast-paced and physical affair from the very start. Both teams played tenaciously on offense and defense, and neither team had space to dribble in the open field. The result was a possession battle in which short, quick passes had more success than long balls, and technical precision was more of a factor than speed or athleticism. Neither team was willing to give up any ground.   

The U15 Girls, however, are the team with the most to gain from the experience.

Coach Mike Dickey said he was pleased with the way his team performed Friday against a quality opponent, and that the challenges they faced throughout the week will help them grow, as individuals and as a team.  

“The girls will come out of this game tired and exhausted, but also more experienced and, hopefully, more hungry to succeed,” he said.

Dickey said his team had the opportunity to watch the U.S. Men’s team train at the Home Depot Center complex earlier this week, and when they tried to replicate the drills they had seen the National Team men do, they were surprised at how difficult the exercises were.

“They said the drills looked so easy when the U.S. Men did them, and I think it kind of woke them up to how much work it requires to become that good. These girls have always been the best players wherever they’ve played. Watching and playing against good teams like this shows them they still have room to improve, and that’s always a good thing.”

Though young and with much of their potential still untapped, several of the U15 girls showed why they were brought to the National Team camp.

Morgan Andrews showed off her versatility by starting the first half playing in the defensive midfield and the second half playing right fullback. She was the most complete player on the field. She repeatedly won challenges in the air, displayed patience and good vision distributing the ball to her teammates, and showed off her powerful right leg on a number of accurate long balls that covered more than half the field. She also scored the game’s first goal (’42) on a bending free kick from 22 yards out.

Forward Amber Munerlyn’s speed was on display in both halves as she repeatedly chased down long balls played by her teammates. After streaking past the defense, though, she seemed to slow down with the ball at her feet, and the LMU defense showed discipline by retreating quickly and never allowing her to threaten goal with a shot.

Center back Miranda Freeman was stout in the U15 defense, tackling with strength and decisiveness and showing an uncanny ability to always keep the ball in front of her. The outside defenders, Madeline Bauer and Elizabeth Boon (normally a forward) were also impressive, attacking with great pace along the wings but also showing the wherewithal to retreat defensively when the LMU wings pushed forward.

Midfielder Rose DiMartino did well cutting in from the wing and unleashing a number of shots that put pressure on the LMU goal. Summer Green, the other winger, dazzled with her fancy footwork that often left defenders swinging at air, but she sometimes showed indecisiveness after her initial move that broke her momentum and led to a few unnecessary turnovers.

Goalkeeper Carissa Miller was strong attacking the ball in the air and communicated well with her defense. For a team without much experience playing together, she provided the glue as she directed the defense and midfield from her spot in front of the goal. But she hesitated a few times with the ball at her feet, and her footwork could use improvement as her career moves forward.

Even though the U.S. team’s lone goal came off a set piece and its defense allowed an LMU cross to sneak in behind it for a goal at the beginning of the second half, coach Dickey said he was satisfied with the scoring chances his team produced, and that the goals would soon follow.

“These girls are already so athletically advanced, we try to teach them more of the mental aspect of the game. Work the ball, work together, position yourself to string some passes together on the offensive end of the field, and the goals will come.”

Certainly, if Friday’s game was any indication, this team has good reason to believe in his optimistic approach.
 
Starting Lineup by Position:

GOALKEEPER: Carissa Miller (Sereno Soccer Club; Cave Creek, Ariz.)
DEFENDERS (3): Madeline Bauer (Slammers FC; Newport Beach, Calif.), Miranda Freeman (Team Boca U17’s; Royal Palm Beach, Fla.), Elizabeth Boon (Columbia Timbers Premier SC; Washougal, Wash.)
MIDFIELDERS (4): Morgan Andrews (FC Stars of Massachusetts U-17; Milford, N.H.), Summer Green (Michigan Hawks 95 Black; Milford, Mich.), Shea Newman (FC Stars of Massachusetts; Medfield, Mass.), Rosie DiMartino (Albertson Fury Elite; Massapequa Park, N.Y.)
FORWARDS (3): Frannie Crouse (Beadling Soccer Club; Jeanette, Pa.), Lauren Miller (Minnesota Thunder Academy; St. Louis Park, Minn.), Amber Munerlyn (So Cal Blues; Corona, Calif.)

Reserves:

GOALKEEPERS (2): Jane Campbell (NASA G13 Elite II; Kennesaw, Ga.), Morgan Stearns (Mclean MPS Power; Burke, Va.)
DEFENDERS (3): Kelly McCann (So Cal Blues; Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.), Taylor Nelson (Arsenal FC; Fort Collins, Colo.), Jenna Romano (Team Chicago; Naperville, Ill.)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Joanna Boyles (94 CASL Spartan Elite; Raleigh, N.C.), Kaitlyn Clark (KC Select; Liberty, Mo.), Lauren Kaskie (Neusport Football Club; Las Vegas, Nev.), Victoria Manfredonia (San Diego Surf; Escondido, Calif.), Lydia Simmons (Seacoast United, Londonderry, N.H.), Morgan Stanton (Colorado Rush Soccer Club; Lakewood, Colo.)
FORWARDS (2): Ariel Kupritz (Brentwood Soccer Club; Maryville, Tenn.) Zoe Swift (NSA Premier Fury; Naperville, Ill.)