Monday, May 24, 2004
Spring 2004 Playoff second round
The rapidly improving Scotch Plains U11 Girls soccer team the Gold Rush are picking an opportune time to play their best soccer of the year and are now only one step away from winning the championship after stunning the favored Yellow Tigers 1-0 Saturday at sun drenched Evergreen Field in Scotch Plains. Amanda Rodriguez continued her penchant for scoring important goals by converting a corner kick from Kristina Palazzolo midway through the second half and hitting a high hard shot from short distance.
Rodriguez’ first career goal with five minutes left had decided the 2002 championship game and she had also scored in the third place game last fall. Her most recent goal was the crowning blow in a superb all around effort where she exerted her influence on offense, defense and throw ins.
The Gold Rush after a slow start appears to have jelled the past few weeks as they have become more familiar with each other. Last week’s overtime win against the Pink Flamingos followed a tie in the opening game of the season and Saturday’s win also followed a tie against the Tigers in the season’s second game. Last fall the Gold Rush had finished with three straight wins but were inexplicably left out of the winner’s bracket of the tournament and settled for third place with a 4-1-4 record.
The first half, although scoreless, was not without scoring chances. Goalie Jessica Moore made several fine saves as did the Yellow Tiger’s goalie. After Rodriguez scored the defense shut the door in front of goalie Eve Rosenheck led by the indefatiguable Moore.
The other defenders Margie Diaz, Delaney Reimers, Priya Kamdar, Sara Payne, Melina Gaglias, Chloe Thomas and Sarah Lazarus were aggressive and skillful all game.. Allison Staniec, Emma Rosen, Stephanie Robak, Christine Murphy, Lazarus and Palazzolo worked hard in the midfield and on offense. Brooke Bergenfeld, despite being held scoreless for the first time in six games was effective advancing the ball and drew the full time attention of a Tiger deep defender which allowed the Gold Rush the luxury of almost having an extra player.
The Gold Rush faces a tough rematch in the finals against the Purple People Eaters who handed them the only defeat earlier this season. Led by Laura Bruce and Danielle Schwiezer the Purple rolled past the Blue Beckham 2-0 in the other semi final game.
Rodriguez’ first career goal with five minutes left had decided the 2002 championship game and she had also scored in the third place game last fall. Her most recent goal was the crowning blow in a superb all around effort where she exerted her influence on offense, defense and throw ins.
The Gold Rush after a slow start appears to have jelled the past few weeks as they have become more familiar with each other. Last week’s overtime win against the Pink Flamingos followed a tie in the opening game of the season and Saturday’s win also followed a tie against the Tigers in the season’s second game. Last fall the Gold Rush had finished with three straight wins but were inexplicably left out of the winner’s bracket of the tournament and settled for third place with a 4-1-4 record.
The first half, although scoreless, was not without scoring chances. Goalie Jessica Moore made several fine saves as did the Yellow Tiger’s goalie. After Rodriguez scored the defense shut the door in front of goalie Eve Rosenheck led by the indefatiguable Moore.
The other defenders Margie Diaz, Delaney Reimers, Priya Kamdar, Sara Payne, Melina Gaglias, Chloe Thomas and Sarah Lazarus were aggressive and skillful all game.. Allison Staniec, Emma Rosen, Stephanie Robak, Christine Murphy, Lazarus and Palazzolo worked hard in the midfield and on offense. Brooke Bergenfeld, despite being held scoreless for the first time in six games was effective advancing the ball and drew the full time attention of a Tiger deep defender which allowed the Gold Rush the luxury of almost having an extra player.
The Gold Rush faces a tough rematch in the finals against the Purple People Eaters who handed them the only defeat earlier this season. Led by Laura Bruce and Danielle Schwiezer the Purple rolled past the Blue Beckham 2-0 in the other semi final game.
# posted by David Lazarus @ 9:21 PM 
