U17 Girls Final
Ohio Elite 1 Wolfpack 1 (4-3 Ohio Elite in PK's)
Tuesday, November 20
 TAMPA – A first half dominated by both defenses gave way to an excellent half of soccer from Southern California’s Wolfpack and the U17 girls of Ohio Elite Soccer Academy. In the end, it was Ohio Elite’s goalkeeper and U17 Super Y-League MVP Tara Campbell who scored a penalty-kick goal, then saved the very next strike to give Ohio Elite a 4-3 penalty-kick win and a U17 girls North American Championship.
“You have to applaud the effort of Campbell in this final,” said Ohio Elite Head Coach Doug Bracken. “To burry her own shot and knock down the fifth shot from the mark is a fabulous individual effort.”
In penalties both teams missed in the second round. Ohio Elite slipped up first allowing Wolfpack’s goalkeeper ‘Roxy’ to get a hand on the shot but with a chance to take a 2-1 lead into the third round, Wolfpack’s striker crushed the right upright to keep the kicks from the mark even 1-1 going to the third round. Both teams remained perfect until the fifth round when Campbell earned the right to call herself the MVP of the SYL.
She first buried her shot low to the right post, then turned and knocked down Wolfpack’s attempt on goal with a sprawling save to the same side. The ball was too far out of Campbell’s reach to control at first touch and the ball ricocheted off the inside of the post. Narrowly missing the inside netting the ball shot back across the goal line to Campbell, who pounced on the loose ball to seal the win.
The victory was even sweeter for Ohio considering they had the match all but won 1-0 nearing the end of a two-minute stoppage period enforced by the referee. Utilizing every second, Wolfpack’s Pam Dyer took a throw-in from the left flank and lofted it into the area. The ball was chipped across to the right where Andy Reyes picked out Emily Ohlahuer in the center of the six yard box. Having the last touch before the final whistle, Ohlahuer buried an easy pass into the back of the net for a 1-1 draw and extra time.
“This is the third time this team has qualified for the Super Y-League North American Finals,” said Bracken following the match. “We did not do so well in past years but, this season we showed a ton of character.”
One of Bracken’s players showing skill and character, his number ten patrolling the middle of the pitch all afternoon was midfielder Alley Berry.
“She has just been brilliant for us,” said Bracken. “Without her play in the middle and striker Alyssa Rich we would not have made it as far as we did.”
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