Rush get creative during match in Vegas

Rush get creative during match in Vegas
March 16, 2009
LAS VEGAS - The U16 Colorado Rush let its hair down Sunday, and good things followed.

Showing off its creativity and flair, the Rush defeated St Louis Scott Gallagher 2-0 behind a second half of uninhibited play at the Las Vegas College Showcase in Kellogg Zaher Complex.

Elite club soccer players compete.Colorado Rush players maintain possession.
For one half of action the Rush played like a group that forgot there is an occasional “me” in the word team.

The ball movement was never in question - it was what succeeded the pass, and often what didn’t, that had the team playing below its expectations.

“In the second half we came out a little bit more and some players tried to do some special things that were lacking in the first half,” said Rush coach Andrew Kummer. “As the game evolved in the second half we were more effective off the ball. We made some dangerous runs and we created some space.”  

Colorado went ahead on a fluke shot that should have been a routine play for Scott Gallagher’s goalie, though grazed off her fingers and into the net.

But after halftime, the Rush produced their own fortune.

Standout midfielder Kelsey Loupee and the rest of the offensive unit started to impose their will. Loupee scored after receiving a pass on a free kick and banging in a left-footed dart.

Loupee is physical player and powerful striker who fits in well with the rest of her squad.

Scott Gallagher was outmatched from a physical standpoint, with players like tall Rush striker Annie Kunz creating problems for SG’s defense. Kunz was able to easily control balls in the middle of the field and was an anchor for her team.

Colorado’s Kaitlyn Bassett didn’t shy away from contact either. Her collision with Scott Gallagher’s goalie negated a first-half goal, but she had a strong game and showed consistent ball control.

Midfielder Jordan Woolums led a SG attack that featured a lot of speed and 1 v 1 opportunities. In fact, Scott Gallagher showed the type of early freedom that the Rush finally found in the second half.

Emily Bollinger had a great chance to get her team on the board when she took a perfect pass in the box but sent her shot sailing over the crossbar.

Scott Gallagher made a strong push down the stretch to put pressure on the Rush and they got a few opportunities but couldn’t capitalize.

The Rush, on the other hand, closed out a weekend that included two wins and two ties on a strong note.

“We got better today,” Kummer said. “It was a good week. We got some good exposure to the college coaches and we’re very pleased with this event.”     

U16 Colorado Rush
D: Keelyn Arnold, Cassandra Hanna, Jordan Shunk
M: Juliana Grover, Haley Stading, Kelsey Loupee, Kelly McGrath, Elise Dreiling
F: Annie Kunz, Kaitlyn Bassett
Subs: Molly Poletto, Abigail Rolph, Olivia Lynch, Brooke Moody, Sarah Talamantes, Samantha Harder

U16 St. Louis Scott Gallagher
D: Brooke Barczewski, Kirstyn Corder, Haley Albert, Madeline Friedmann
M: Emily Bollinger, Jennifer Miller, Brittany Harbaugh, Charlotte Martin
F: Nicole Breece, Jordan Woolums
Subs: Molly White, Sarah Doherty, Madeline Friedmann, Ashley Parks, Molly Huber
Trending Videos
 
IMG Academy Top 150 Rankings
see full ranking:
Boys Girls