US Youth Soccer ODP East Region teams have been very active in the past few weeks. Follow along with game recaps from international trips to the Netherlands and Ireland.
NETHERLANDS
Game 1
SC Buitenveldert’s first team play in the Second Division of the Netherlands Women’s Football League. They lost 2-1 to PSV Eindhoven on Saturday in the Cup. Their team this evening included a mix of First Team players and youth players.
After a nice day touring Amsterdam, the heavens opened to greet our first half of play in the Netherlands. The slick conditions played a part in an early goal that we conceded within the first 3 minutes.
As the half progressed, the East Region girls had to “dig in” to stay organized defensively. At half-time we changed to confront SC Buidenveldert higher up the field. This change in mentality led to Macy Ramsey pressuring the opposition’s back four into a mistake. Lainey Foti finished brilliantly with her left foot.
The rest of the second half was a tight, back and forth affair. As the game neared its end, the East Region created a number of good chances, based mainly on their athleticism and fitness, but were just not able to finish.
Game 3
The East Region did a good job learning from our opponents in our second game, and we wanted to play today in a way that reflected a change in how we were doing things.
On a beautiful evening, we faced another top team in the National League. Tonight’s game was against SC Heerenveen. We played their youth team, which is also their reserve team. Our opponent rostered two players who play for their U16 National team, along with several others that suit up for the club’s top Women’s team.
Our main goal going into the game was to offer a more unified and cohesive unit on the defensive side of the ball. Training this morning was very light in activity, but very heavy in tactics and led us to a plan on our defensive end unlike what we demonstrated in our second game. Tonight, we forced play in areas of the field we wanted to defend in, we anticipated play and were able to read what options our opponents wanted to exploit earlier in play, making it very hard for our opponents to find success taking the ball through us.
We could sense a different energy level among the team tonight. Although falling to SC Heerenveen 2-0, great strides were made defensively, and clearly our East Region team is bonding and becoming the “Beast of the East” we expect from it. Each team faced has been very talented, we will see yet another high level opponent tomorrow and for this, our last game, we look to continue to improve, see consistency in our defensive effort, and hopefully see more attacking success.
Game 4
After working really hard on our team defending yesterday and focusing on our team attacking before tonight’s game, the East Region team managed to secure a 4-0 victory in its final game of the Netherlands trip.
Macy Ramsey scored two goals, while Tess Belnap and Rachel Finelli each scored oen against SC Genemuiden. Assists were credited to Tess Belnap, Michelle Money, Jess Carrieri and Lainey Foti. Angela Accetturo and Lindsey Pazdziorko combined for the shutout.
IRELAND
The US Youth Soccer ODP East Region 2002/2003 Girls team traveled to Ireland this past week.
“This was a trip of a lifetime for our players, as we battled against some of the best women's team in Ireland and celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with people in the local community,” East Region ODP head coach Sue Ryan said. “We came away with a 3-0 record against Shelbourne Ladies Football Club, Peamount United FC and Galway United Ladies FC. We took some time to see the magnificent sites that the country has to offer, and we lined the streets of Galway as we watched the local St. Patrick’s Day parade.”
MATCH 1
Opponent: Shelbourne Ladies Football Club
Result: East Region 02 (4) vs. SLFC (0)
Goals:
1) Goal scored from a corner taken from the right side, the ball dropped in the box where it was controlled and shot lower corner (Peyton Gilmore – 34:00).
2) Pass made centrally from Katie Carey to Lena Lukowicz, where the shot was taken at the top of the 18-yard box and placed in the lower right corner (Lena Lukowicz – 56:00).
3) The opposing left center defender played a poor pass centrally to our Macey Harder, who intercepted the pass, dribbled into the 18-yard box and placed the ball in the bottom right corner (Macey Harder – 75:00).
4) The ball was played down the right flank to Haley Gschrey, who crossed the ball into the penalty area. Alyssa beat her defender at the near post and finished the ball upper right corner (Alyssa Hardin – 80:00).
Game Summary:
Our first international friendly was a success. Our team had one training the day before and many of the players played together for the first time. With that being said, the players entered the pitch and demonstrated great confidence, bravery and team work. Within the first twenty minutes of the game, we had at least three chances on goal, which resulted in hitting the goalkeeper. Our defensive line did an excellent job connecting passes centrally quickly to break pressure. Our midfielders were able to combine amongst themselves, as well as play penetrating passes between the lines and channels to our wide players. Many of our chances originated from wide play, beginning with our backs and midfielders. As a team, we had much of the possession and opportunities tonight. Shelbourne allowed us to maintain and circulate possession at speed, which opened up gaps centrally for us to penetrate. As a team, we executed our tactical plan based on the style and formation introduced to the players. The players were on the same page and communicated well, which was a direct result of the outcome. As a staff, we are pleased with the performance and energy of the team and tomorrow, we will address the areas we need to improve on both individually and collectively.
MATCH 2
Opponent: Peamount United FC
Result: East Region 02 (2) vs. Peamount United (0)
Goals:
1) Cross made on the left side from Sydney Schnell, to Alyssa Hardin, which was lightly flicked inside the 18-yard box to the back post, where Haley Gschrey beat her defender and placed it in corner of the goal (Haley Gschrey – 25:00)
2) Macey Harder played pass centrally to Jailene Dejesus, who beat her defender at the top of the 18, and placed it in the bottom right corner (Jailene Dejesus– 28:00)
Game Summary:
This evening, we encountered difficult playing conditions, however our team overcame the adversity and performed to the best of their ability. It was a collective effort that lead to two excellent goals off the run of play, scenarios discussed prior in trainings and team meetings. We are very impressed with the player’s receptiveness and coachability, which has transmitted from the training field and classroom to the game pitch. As coaches, we are excited to see the players progress from day 1 to day 4, whereas the material implemented in the training and meetings have been executed in the matches. We hope for continued progress moving forward
MATCH 3
Opponent: Galway United Ladies FC
Result: East Region 02 (5) vs. Galway United Ladies FC (1)
Goals:
1) OPPONENT – Shot outside 18-yard box on the left, no pressure on the ball, over the goalkeeper – 16:00)
2) Jailene Dejesus, who beat her defender at the top of the 18, and placed it in the bottom left corner (Jailene Dejesus – 18:00)
3) Pass from Leah Sparacio (center of the field) to Alyssa Hardin, shot from the top right of the 18-yard box (Alyssa Hardin – 37:00)
4) Pass made from the left back Lena Lukowicz, who played a pass into the left flank, Haley, beat the defender inside the 18-yard box, shot off center of the goal (Haley Gschrey – 40:00)
5) Rebound inside the box, tapped in by Leah Sparacio (Leah Sparacio - 41:00)
6) Set piece from 20 yards, left corner of the 18-yard box (Haley Gschrey – 49:00)
Game Summary:
For our final match, we were asked to play three periods of twenty-five minutes, which was beneficial for our team, due to the amount of trainings and games prior. The opponent was stronger and much more organized than the other teams that we played during this trip. We did concede a goal early on, but we were able to respond immediately, scoring a goal within three minutes later. Once we got into a rhythm of the game, we created four excellent opportunities that lead to goals. At the break, we discussed how we were able to accomplish our goals and keys, which occurred in the first and second period of the game consistently. Overall, we noticed the improvement in the players from game 1 to game 3, both individually and collectively. This game was our most challenging due to the level of the opponent as well as the physical conditions of the players. However, the players were able to overcome the difficult situations and stick to our objectives and goals for the game. As a staff, we are satisfied with the performance and progression over the course of the trip.