ESP Day 1 Coverage - Game 3

ESP Day 1 Coverage - Game 3
February 21, 2009

Elite club soccer players compete.Players compete at ESP in Pomona. All photos courtesy of adidas/Kirby Lee.
POMONA, CALIF – Connecticut and Oakwood SC midfielder Riley Houle unlocked the final match of the night here Friday with three defense-splitting passes that led to the three goals for Tony DiCicco’s Team 3 in a 3-1 win over Shannon MacMillan’s Team 6.

After a scoreless first half, Annalika Steyn capitalized on a defensive miscue to tap into an empty net for a 1-0 Team 6 lead, but Houle helped equalize just minutes later with a lovely through ball for Olivia Schultz. Schultz had her shot saved but Brittany Ratcliffe was on hand to knock the rebound and tie the score.

Sarah Killion then linked well with Georgia Waddle whose good turn and shot went just wide for Team 6. Houle followed with another good through pass for Cate Parchinski who in turn found Ratcliffe for the finish and a 2-1 lead. Houle assisted again with a pass to Arin Gilliland who hit a rocket launch for a 3-1 lead. Waddle pulled one back in the final minute with a rebound effort after Samantha Lee had hit the goalpost with a drive, but the match ended at 3-2.

Houle said it can be a challenge for such a hybrid team to learn quickly how to work together in the offensive end.

“We’ve gotten to know each other a little bit off the field, but you don’t know each other’s playing styles so it’s hard. You have to compensate,” Houle said. “We try to talk to each other and you know if they are a good player they can handle what you give to them.”

Schultz was good for Team 3, throwing her body around and working hard to win possession. Amy Kauffung showed a strong ability to win a ball via a tackle. Morgan Ruhl was good in goal for Team 3, while Novi Jaguars center back Olivia Brannon put in a good shift for her side, challenging well and finding midfielders with accurate passes.

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Lineups

Team 6
GK: Anna Cassell (Rosa Medina)
D: Sarah Molina, Samantha Lee, Olivia Brannon, Morgan Kennedy
M: Stephanie Bronson, Sarah Killion, Muriel Battaglia, Georgia Waddle
F: Lauren Flynn, Annalika Steyn
Subs: Loeau Labonta, Lexi Herring, Michelle Gonzales, Ashley Caligiuri

Team 3
GK: Morgan Ruhl (Sarah Voigt)
D: Marie Mackenzie, Paige Diamond, Amy Kauffung, Arin Gilliland
M: Tracy Hong, Clarissa Wedemeyer, Riley Houle, Caprice Dydasco
F: Brittany Ratcliffe, Cate Parchinski
Subs: Jaylyn High, Abigail Lutzenkirchen, Natasha Springer, Olivia Schultz

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