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 | | SAC U-10 Premier Boys Memorial Day 2001 |  |
Columbia Invitational Finalist!
James Bond Theme
United Play Day!
On Sunday, August 19, 2001, the United will host a "play day" featuring some of the top teams from Maryland and Virginia. Teams that will be in attendance include: SYC Fire Gold (Springfield, VA), Stafford Stringrays (Stafford, VA), and Team Takoma (Takoma Park, MD). Stay tuned for more details as the date approaches!
Potomac Cougars Invite United
The United has been invited by the Potomac Cougars to play on the state-of-the-art lighted Stadium field at Soccerplex in Germantown. The boys are excited to play at what is considered by many to be the premier soccer facility in the country! Thanks to Coach Peter Thorp for the kind invitation. See you on August 23rd!
Summer Friendlies!
The Unitedwill travel to Richmond, Va on August 25-26 to take part in the "Summer Friendlies" sponsored by the Midlothian Youth Soccer Club and the Richmond Kickers. SAC is one of the 11 clubs invited and the United is looking forward to playing some teams which they have never faced, such as the Triangle Futbol Club team from North Carolina. It should be a fun weekend as many SAC travel teams will be inattendance. The United looks forward to playing and then cheering on the older SAC teams while they play their games!
Summer Friendlies News!
August 25 –26
SAC United spent a very enjoyable weekend in Richmond, VA at the MYSL “Summer Friendlies” tournament competing against the Midlothian (VA) Kickers, Triangle Futbol Club (NC) CH, and Triangle Futbol Club Wake. The offense and defense both demonstrated excellence with final scores of 4-0, 4-1, 7-0.
Philip Martinelli, Jacob Pace, Matt Fountain, Daniel Howard, Dustin Hesgard, Jimmy Mundy, Roston Moore, Evan Weintraub, and Robert Procida scored goals.
Daniel Benitez played well in the midfield, consistently winning balls and setting up key offensive plays.
Garrett Nickles and Brian Boring were solid in the back, turning away scoring threats throughout the weekend.
Paul Killian played in goal for most of the weekend, yet also exhibited speed and tenacious tackling when playing defense and midfield.
Cougar Scrimmage!
August 23
Playing on the most incredible field that any of the players, coaches, or parents had ever seen the United spent a fun evening with the Potomac Cougars at the SoccerPlex in Germantown. The bright lights and the huge, immaculately manicured field added to the excitement of the night as both teams took the field. The United appeared tentative at first and the Cougars took advantage of this complacency, scoring two goals before the first half ended. Although the United took several strong shots on goal during the first half, the Cougars excellent goalkeeper, Colin Thorp, was able to thwart these attempts with some spectacular saves.
The United displayed a much more confident and poised attitude in the second half, using the space to their advantage with precise passing and smart off-the-ball runs. Jacob Pace started the scoring for the United, making a nice run from the midfield past several of the Cougars’ players. Patiently working the ball through the midfield, Dustin Hesgard, Jimmy Mundy, Daniel Benitez, and Daniel Howard were able to send numerous through balls to Philip Martinelli. Using his speed to overpower the Cougars’ defenders, Martinelli scored three beautiful breakaway goals to electrify the United’s fans. Robert Procida capped off the scoring for United, beating several players and burying the ball in the lower left side of the goal. The final score was SAC United 5 Potomac Cougars 2.
Garrett Nickles, Brian Boring, Evan Weintraub, and Roston Moore, who worked together to consistently shutdown the speedy Cougar strikers, turned in outstanding defensive performances. Paul Killian was strong in goal, coming off the line several times to break up potential scoring opportunities.
Thanks to Potomac Cougars Coach Peter Thorp for the invitation to play at Soccerplex. The United looks forward to returning in the spring for a friendly rematch!
Beach FC Columbus Day Tournament
October 6-7, 2001
What a great weekend for the United! Placed in the 16 team Premier Division of the extremely competitive Beach FC Columbus Day Tournament, the United knew that they would have to play excellent soccer in order to show well against the other strong teams in their bracket.
The first game on Saturday had the United matched against the Atlantic Rage (VA), a team from Virginia Beach. The United came out strong, scoring quickly to set the tone for the match. Along with a strong defensive effort, the United’s offense really worked well together. The final score was United 5, Rage 1. Goals were scored by Matt (3), Daniel B. (1), and Dustin (1).
The second game of the day was one that the United players from last year’s team were eager to play. After facing the Chesterfield Flames (VA) at the Jefferson Cup last March, the United came away from that game with a solid respect for the Flames’ talent. The United knew that this game would be important and they definitely showed their skills from the opening whistle. Even in the driving rain the United played possession soccer, passing the ball precisely and creating excellent runs up field. Backed by an amazing defense that shutdown every opportunity that the Flames seemed to generate, the United’s offense relentlessly attacked the Flames’ goal. Joe had a particularly beautiful goal on a free kick to start the scoring. Matt followed up with two skillful goals and Robert capped the scoring by finishing a long cross from Phil. The final score was United 4, Chesterfield 0.
Sunday’s game would prove to be pivotal for the United. They would face a very physical and aggressive FVAA Flash Red (NC) team who had also performed well on Saturday. The United needed to tie or win in order to win their bracket and advance to the afternoon’s Semi-Final. It was a very tough game featuring incredible defense from both teams. Paul, Garrett, Evan, Joe, Roston, and Brian all worked well in the back, frustrating the Flash players time and again. Matt scored on a powerful indirect kick from Jake to insure that the United would advance to the next round of play. The final score was United 1, FVAA Flash Red 1.
The Semi-Final match pitted the United against the very talented Charlotte SC Blue (NC). It was probably better that the United found out after the match that the Blue had not lost a game in two years. Played in windy conditions, the game was a battle from the start as both teams tried to control the 50-50 balls at midfield. The United scored first on a beautiful shot by Matt but the Blue quickly battled back to tie the score. The offense was keeping the ball in front of the Blue goal, narrowly missing several close chances. Jimmy and Evan were all over the field, frustrating the Blue with their tenacious tackling. Finally the United scored again on a beautiful direct kick by Matt. Once again, the Blue team tied the score by converting a penalty kick. Late in the game Robert made an amazing run up the left side of the field trailed by several Blue defenders. Robert was taken down hard in the box and Garrett stepped up to nail a penalty kick making the score 3-2, United. The score remained that way until a few minutes left in the game when the Blue sent a pass in towards the United’s goal box. The “pass” turned into a goal as it floated in the wind over Paul’s head, sending the game to penalty kicks. The United got off to a quick 2-0 lead as Matt and Garrett converted the first two kicks. Paul made two stunning saves on two Blue shots to set the stage for Jake to ice the victory. Jake nailed a shot low and left, leaving the Blue keeper no chance at all to save the shot. The final score was United 1, Blue 0 (3-1 in Pks)
The Final would feature the United against a very tough CASL Elite (NC) team. The Elite had been on a roll all weekend, winning their bracket with two shutouts and by a combined score of 11 goals for, 1 goal against. They also beat a talented Richmond Strikers Premier team in the other Semi-Final match by a score of 4-1. Knowing that the Elite would be an extremely tough opponent, the United came out in fifth gear from the whistle. It was a tough game from end to end as both keepers were tested by the strong offenses of both squads. The Elite struck first on an amazing volley 20 minutes into the first half. The United refused to give up and converted an equally impressive chance to tie the score at 1-1 just before the first half ended. Philip raced down the right side of the field to receive a perfect through ball as he split two defenders and slipped the ball past the charging keeper.
At the start of the second half the United came out fired up, making numerous passing sequences and advancing towards the goal. The story of the second half was both keepers. Paul made several outstanding saves, as did the Elite keeper, to keep the game exciting. The action ended tied 1-1 in regulation, sending the game into two five-minute “Golden Goal” periods. Knowing that the team that scored first would win it all, the United tried their best to keep the ball in the Elite’s end. However, a perfectly placed shot from the top of the penalty box eluded Paul’s outstretched arms and wrapped just inside the far post. It was a fantastic goal and one worthy of winning a championship. The final score was CASL Elite 2, United 1.
The United left the field with their heads held high, knowing that they had given their best effort and competed valiantly against such a fine team. As Coach Jim Wright of the Elite team stated at the awards ceremony, the game was extremely even and well played between two excellent teams. “On another day, the ball could just as easily have bounced another way.”
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