U16 Girls Final
Cleveland Internationals 1 City Islanders 0
 Tuesday, November 20
TAMPA – The Cleveland Internationals began the day with three shots at adding to their club’s collection of Super Y-League North American Championships. Their U13, U15 and U16 girls had all found their way into the league’s title matches following the three days of group play and Monday’s must-win semifinal. The Internationals U16’s defeated USA 17 1-0 yesterday while their adversary in this match, the City Islanders downed MPS Cape Cod 2-1.
The Internationals looked to have a firm grip on the match early but it took Cleveland until midway through the first half to find the back of the net.
The goal came from Danielle Hubka, who began her run from her encampment in the midfield to the far left flank. From there teammate Michelle Mooren picked her out with a pass and Hubka delivered 1-0 lead.
The Islanders took most of the first half to regain their usual form but dominated the final ten minutes, turning the tables on the Internationals. Cleveland withstood the pressure without losing their 1-0 lead but had two very close calls that included a stuffed breakaway opportunity and a second near-miss picked out of the air by International’s goalkeeper Nicole Wood.
In the second half the Internationals had adjusted to the pace of Harrisburg and they held possession for the majority of the time. The City Islander’s defense was flawless in corralling Cleveland’s attack but the goal they sought continued to elude them. Cleveland attacked the clock nearing the final whistle and earned a kill as Hubka’s goal held up and the International’s won one of their three North American Titles of the day.
Because of her hard work at her sweeper position all day, all weekend and throughout the regular season, Cleveland International’s Head Coach Zdravko Popovic named Desiree Aber the U16 girls Super Y-League MVP.
“We have been working very hard all season for this honor,” said Aber following the match. “We gave up a lot of our plans this summer and focused primarily on soccer. It is great to see that it all paid off.”
“We are a very tight unit in the back,” added Aber. “A lot of times we find ourselves thinking and doing the same thing without even talking. Our communication is great and I do not have to go at it alone back there. We have two strong goalkeepers in Nicole Wood and Kristen Insana, two great outside backs with Michelle Mooren and Sarah Zawie and of course my stopper Melissa Timko. It is a team effort on defense.”
|
|
