Sunday, June 06, 2004
Spring 2004 Championship Game (0-1)
A bizarre spring season replete with all types of illogical events ended in an appropriately disjointed manner when the championship game was shortened by ten minutes for no apparent reason. The top seeded Purple People Eaters edged the Cinderella team, the Scotch Plains U11 Girls soccer team the Gold Rush 1-0 at Evergreen Field in Scotch Plains Saturday, a result that left the team with mixed emotions.
On one hand they could be happy with their accomplishment of reaching the finals with two upset victories in previous weeks. But they also felt frustrated by the shortness of the game since so much of their success was accomplished through goals late in the game.
Although territorially outplayed, the Gold Rush had the best chance of the first half when mercurial Amanda Rodriguez eluded the defense and best the goalie with great shot to the corner that somehow flicked an inch wide.
In the second half the Purple took advantage of their best opportunity and scored midway through the half. Although they kept attacking, the Gold Rush were unable to score for the first time since the opening game.
Eve Rosenheck and Jessica Moore played heroically in the goal. The defense of Sarah Lazarus, Margie Diaz, Delaney Reimers, Priya Kamdar, Sara Payne, Melina Gaglias, Chloe Thomas and Jessica Moore fought valiantly against the strong Purple attack. Brooke Bergenfeld, Allison Staniec, Christine Murphy, Stephanie Robak, Emma Rosen, Amanda Rodriguez, Eve Rosenheck and Kristina Palazzolo worked hard in the midfield and on offense.
When the game ended the teams were handed medals that just said first or second-no year or mention of the town or sport. A typically muddled prize for a confused league.
On one hand they could be happy with their accomplishment of reaching the finals with two upset victories in previous weeks. But they also felt frustrated by the shortness of the game since so much of their success was accomplished through goals late in the game.
Although territorially outplayed, the Gold Rush had the best chance of the first half when mercurial Amanda Rodriguez eluded the defense and best the goalie with great shot to the corner that somehow flicked an inch wide.
In the second half the Purple took advantage of their best opportunity and scored midway through the half. Although they kept attacking, the Gold Rush were unable to score for the first time since the opening game.
Eve Rosenheck and Jessica Moore played heroically in the goal. The defense of Sarah Lazarus, Margie Diaz, Delaney Reimers, Priya Kamdar, Sara Payne, Melina Gaglias, Chloe Thomas and Jessica Moore fought valiantly against the strong Purple attack. Brooke Bergenfeld, Allison Staniec, Christine Murphy, Stephanie Robak, Emma Rosen, Amanda Rodriguez, Eve Rosenheck and Kristina Palazzolo worked hard in the midfield and on offense.
When the game ended the teams were handed medals that just said first or second-no year or mention of the town or sport. A typically muddled prize for a confused league.
