February 5 and 6 can only be described as an excellent weekend of competitive State Cup games for our older girls teams, and a weekend in which all of our players and teams showed character, team spirit and the ability to compete and battle as one.
The weekend started off with a 930am kick off for our 2005s against VSA. A slow start from the team and they found themselves one goal down, and having to work their socks off just to stay in the game and stay within touching distance of VSA. The players managed to weather the early storm, and as the first half progressed the amount of possession and chances began to even out. Players coming off the bench provided additional energy and quality, and Morgan Oliver was able to tie up the game with a shot from distance that cannoned in off the underside of the crossbar. The '05s finished the half well and proved too strong for VSA in the second half with a calm finish from Catherine Muir to make the game 2-1 before a right footed banger from Kayla Pulliam to make the game safe.
Saturday continued with two quarter final games kicking off at 150pm. Our U16 Girls Red team started very well in their quarter final against VYS, creating chances throughout the first half and perhaps a little disappointed to only be 1-0 ahead at half time through a Katie Burton finish. The girls continued to apply the pressure at the start of the second half, but were not able to capitalize, and were hit with a goal against the run of play to tie up the game at 1-1. VYS' star forward broke Kickers hearts earning a penalty kick with seconds to play, making the game 2-1 and giving our team zero time to respond. Well done to Aaron and the players for a strong team performance and competing for the entire game in a closely fought quarter final match.
While this was happening on field 2, the U15 Girls Red were playing their quarter final against BRYC and despite having the wind in their favor, the game was locked at 0-0 at half time. It took another twenty minutes of persistence for the girls to make the breakthrough with Olivia Sikes rounding the keeper and unselfishly squaring the ball for Margaux Ciaverelli to smash it home. Ciaverelli quickly followed up with a top corner belter from 25 yards before Ally Pulliam and Sam Mitchell combined to score the goal that secured the game.
Sunday started off with a heart-breaking 4-3 loss on penalties for our U19 Red girls against Great Falls. We knew it was going to be tough with only 11 players, but started the game perfectly when Mac Joly earned a penalty three minutes in, which was calmly dispatched by Elizabeth Drauzewski. The players rolled up their sleeves and defended incredibly hard and managed to get to half time with the lead intact. A handful of chances were created in the second half, Joly forcing the keeper into some great saves and Presley Garst clipping the top of the crossbar with a volley, but Great Falls' pressure finally paid off and they tied the game up 1-1 to force overtime. The ever present eleven continued to compete and the game was still locked after 120 minutes of soccer. The penalty shootout was one hurdle too many for the 19s, but credit to the team on an exceptional effort.
The U17s faced a VA Legacy team in the semi-final that had recently beaten them 5-2 in league play and the players knew it was going to be a tough match up. The team put in an excellent defensive display in the first half, but found themselves 1-0 down at half to a very good individual strike from distance. The players were determined not to let the game get away from them, and started the second half very well scoring the equaliser to make the game 1-1. VA Legacy responded quickly to make the game 2-1, yet despite creating some great chances towards the end, our 17s were not able to force overtime. Well done, to Rob and the players for two excellent performances in Stafford.
The final Kickers game of the weekend did not kick off until 430pm on Sunday but proved to be just as compelling and dramatic as those that had gone before. It would be Richmond Kickers 2007s v Loudoun 2007s for the third time this year; a strong first half performance from Kickers but nothing to show at half time, and the players knew that the first goal was all important. Kickers finally made the breakthrough 15 minutes into the second half with a quality Anna Widmer header from an Ally Pulliam corner, only for the goal to be chalked off for a foul in the box. This disappointment was compounded when a Loudoun 'Rory Delap'-like throw-in created a goal against the run of play to put Loudoun up 1-0. Kickers stayed strong and focused and Widmer gained retribution to tie the game up with her trademark outside of the right foot finish to take the game into overtime. Overtime came and went and the final game of the weekend headed into penalty kicks. Two full extension saves from Kickers keeper Emily Ward put Kickers in a great position and they were mentally strong to hold on for a 3-2 victory.
Congratulations to all of our teams for their strong showing this weekend and thank you to the league for a well run event.