2007 State Cup Finals

Girls U-12 Crush 94 vs Columbia Timbers

This was one of the most anticipated games of State Cup, especially for readers of WPS Soccer. The only thing missing from an otherwise great day for soccer was the sun. It was pouring down rain a few hours before the game, but it didn't seem to bother the players from Crush or the Timbers as they waited under their tents. You could see many Crazy Parents around and most looked more nervous that the players. The players were then taken to the locker rooms and all we could do is wait the 1.5 hours for the game to start.

The teams came out finally to warm up with Crush wearing Orange and the Timbers in Blue. Just from warm ups you could tell there were many many good players on the field. There seemed to be a buzz in the air for the game, and stands started filling up with more and more crazy parents and crazy players from other teams. There were at least 30 verified forum posters at the game, I met a few of you and know there were more I missed or did not meet.

Finally the game was ready to go. It seemed early on Crush was going to try and control the game. They pressed very early on when Alexa Whitney received the ball on the right side top of the 18, and hit a low driven ball far post. The shot skimmed thru a few players which seemed to block the keepers view and ended up in the side netting far post. It was a great little shot for these type of conditions, because it seemed to pick up stream from the wet turf. You could see the excitement from the Crush players as they took the lead 1-0, and there was no way you couldn't hear the CP for the Crush.

Crush minutes later had another chance when Ashley Mjor sent a diagonal pass to Beautiful Reed who fired a shot at goal that the Timber keeper Carlee Maluenda saved. Crush wasn't done though and moments later Rebecca Schoales from the top of the 18 had a ball roll to her which she hit high and over the goal.

The game seemed to go back and forth in the middle of the field, but the Timbers early on had a tough time breaking the Crush defense. Shauntice Perrigo seemed to run down or snuff out any chance the Timbers tried to create. Her speed at the defensive end for Crush made a huge difference early on in the game. Crush pressed a little more and won a corner which that Alexa Whitney sent towards the box, and if not for the awesome keeper of the Timbers who smothered the ball just as Rebecca Schoales was going to fire a volley on goal. It could have easily been 2-0 Crush, but WOW what a reaction from the Timbers keeper.

You were getting the feeling that maybe the Timbers couldn't break the Crush defense when a ball is sent over the top of the Crush defense and onto the run of Britteny Gilge. Gilge was in behind the defense and going to goal. It was a tough decision for the Crush keeper, but finally Rachel Leopold left her line and headed out to meet Gilge near the top of the 18. As Gilge shot the ball Leopold made herself big and the ball found the goalie and not the back of the net. It deflected away and the threat was over and done with.

Crush had one last chance before half on another corner kick. Alexa Whitney sent the ball in and after a long scramble it's cleared and with that we go to the half. Crush is up 1-0, but you could tell the Timbers were not done.

Both teams went up into the stands on the far side for half. I'm sure both coaches were talking to the players and making small changes in how they wanted to play the second half. I personally couldn't wait, because I knew the Timbers were probably shaking their legs out from the long bus ride. I knew they were going to make the 2nd half exciting.

The Timbers started fast and furious and you could see the game plan was slightly different. It seemed they noticed that the speedy Crush defender would push up on offense and when she did, they were going to make Crush pay for it. It was a game plan that in the second half would give them many chances to tie and even win the game.

It started early with a ball slotted to Allison Schecher who received the ball and fired it over the goal but definitely on frame (just high). It may have been five minutes later that the Timbers won a corner kick and Nicole Mattson almost became the hero, when her bending corner kick went towards goal. If not for a very alert Crush keeper Rachel Leupold, the ball would have snuck in near post. An amazing save and amazing bent ball off the corner kick.

After some back and forth play with Crush at times getting great midfield play, but just missing that last pass. The Timbers sent another ball thru to Allison Schecher who this time looked to not only be behind the defense but ready to make Crush pay. Her shot however failed her and it fired off the under side of the crossbar and out. I'm not sure I've seen too many shots hit the bottom of the crossbar and not go in.....this was one of those times....it flew out. So close and a great little chance. Allison Schecher would get a chance to redeem herself though and this time she'd make it count. Again with the Crush defense flat and the speedy defender pushed up a bit, a ball was sent thru. Schecher was ready for glory and this time as the kepper came out she slots it under her for a goal and a tie game!!!!!

The game ends 1-1 and we go to OT. Seemed both teams settled in and neither was giving up chance in the OT's. Each team only had one legitimate chance to score in OT. Crush off a shot from Deaujarae Green that flies over the top of the goal. The Timbers a chance on a slotted ball to Britteny Gilge that she just shoots wide. Other than that it was a lot of back and forth with neither team wanting to make a mistake.

So to PK's we go..... C for Crush and T for Timbers

C- B Reed = goal to the right
T-M Hoo = shot and saved
C-T Kleiner = goal to right
T-K Vera = goal to the right
C-K Hafferty = goal to the left
T-L Mattila = goal to the right
C- Sorry No name in state cup program = saved by the keeper
T-S Burmester = shot wide
C- A Chevtchenko = hits crossbar/ missed
T-E Boon = slotted left
C-A Mjor = slotted right
T- N Mattson = slotted right
C-K Lyman = slotted left
T-A Sprecher = slotted left
C-R Schoales = slotted right
T- GKeeper C Maluenda = middle and in
C-B Robinson = high and right
T-D Dyra = slotted right
C-D Green = slotted left
T-L Uhl = slotted left
C-GKeeper R Leopold = slotted left
T-V Zamora = slotted right
C-B Reed = slotted right
T-L Mattila = missed

Game over and Crush wins. Awesome display of penalty kicks by both teams. For U-12 soccer it was amazing how calm and how well both teams took them. I really enjoyed the fact that all of the Timbers girls went and mobbed their last play who missed on their team. You could tell as a team those kids care about each other, and win or lose they are a TEAM.

This U-12 game was really what soccer is about. All of those players leaving it on the field and playing with Heart and Fire.

It was great to go onto the Timbers bus and give them Heart and Fire Dog Tags, because all of them showed what it takes to be great little players. Thanks to the Big Green Guy for giving me the chance to give them to them. I felt nervous at first, until one of the Timbers girls yelled " We want Dragon" Awesome job Timbers and Crush...you both deserved to win and in my mind both teams are winners.

Side Note to the great game...........

I would also like to say a huge congratulation to Crush. Over the past 2 or 3 years you are a team that has been on the outside looking in. A team the past 2 years without a home association, that has stayed together and fought for the right to play. SSFC ...you should be very proud of stepping up as an organization when many other associations were cowards. You gave these girls a chance to play, and you as an association understand that it's about the player, and not about liking or disliking a coach. As far as I'm concerned you did the RIGHT thing.

My hope is those involved in the PDL can do the same. Let your egos go, and do the RIGHT thing and let these girls play PDL. They have proven by being in the semi's last year and winning it all this year that THEY belong. Stop with the hidden agenda and let this great group of girls play where they belong. I'm calling you out.....and until the RIGHT thing is done. I consider All of you COWARDS. You may be considered great minds of soccer by some, but if ethically you can't do the right thing...... You Suck...all of you.

 

Girls U-15 NW Nationals Nemesis vs Crossfire Hattrup

This was a game of two teams looking to make a point. Nemesis letting Crossfire know that the gap has indeed closed, and Crossfire letting the age group know last year was just a small bump in the road. Both teams came out ready to play, with both sort of feeling the other team out in the early moments. Crossfire however had a different idea, and it seemed they were going to press early and set the tone.

Crossfire has the first chance on a nice move by Kathryn Bennett on the endline to get around the defender and the sent a slightly cut back ball to the top of the six. The shot (unknown shooter) from point blank looked to be slightly deflected by the Nemesis keeper and banged off the crossbar and deflected out. Crossfire continued the pressure minutes later as Emily Hurd drove down the sideline and sent a cross into Lindsay Elston who's shot was block at the last moment by a Nemesis player.

The early moments and much of the game it seems the referee has decided to call just about every foul possible. At times the calls seem to be pulled out of thin air and seem to slow down and change the game in a negative way. Luckily, just as the players seem to settle into the game, the referee does the same. Finally letting them play and returning the game to the players.

Nemesis then has their first legitimate chance at a goal, when Kinslee Isaman drives down the right flank on a 50 yard run from her defensive end and sends a great cross into the Crossfire box. The Crossfire defense was up to task and clears the ball with little worry.

Crossfire after a bit of back and forth play then has their own player Annelise Sittauer drive down the field and if not for a slight miss-touch she herself would have sent a cross in, but instead it ends in a goal kick for Nemesis. Northwest Nationals isn't done attacking when just minutes later Tanya Haggen tries a shot from long distance but doesn't have the pace and the Crossfire keeper makes and easy save.

After a few minutes Crossfire started to get into a groove again with time closing in on half. Alexandra Beahan went on her own little one player shooting spree. Her first attempt was from about thirty yards out and was hit wide of the goal. A few minutes later she has a nice shot on target, but this time and the Nemesis keeper makes a great save or it's a goal. She then gets her best chance to score with a bouncing ball directly in front of the goal that she hits on the up bounce of the ball and hammers it over. Looked like a great chance and just unlucky on the bounce.

The game goes to half with no score and although Crossfire dominates most of the play Northwest Nationals never falter and have chances to score. I might also add that this game was called way way too tight and inconsistent at times. I know it sucks to be a referee, but until I heard someone in the stands yell when the game was deafly silent " Let them play" The game was a nightmare to watch. Normally I wouldn't thank a person for such behavior .....but THANK YOU. Oh and thank you referee for lightning up. :)

The second half began with both teams still having a chance to win. Nemesis started the scoring chance when Emi Lawson splits two Crossfire defenders and fires a shot wide. A few minutes later Tanya Haggen hits a very nice shot at goal, but the Crossfire keeper was up to the challenge.

Crossfire seems to be dribbling a bit too much. They are one of the best passing teams at times in the state, but today isn't their typical day. They seem to find their rhythm though when Alexandra Beahan cuts back a ball along the end line only to have the Nemesis keeper up to task and she vacuums it up. Crossfire then has it's best chance of the game so far, when Emily Hurd gets a breakaway only to have the Nemesis keeper come up huge and knock the ball away. It still looked dangerous when the ball dropped to the feet of Sarah Graham with a wide open goal. If not for a pesky Nemesis player in front of her it's a sure goal. Instead she's forced to dribble wide of the goal and by the times she shoots the keeper is back in the goal.

So far and I'll just say it for the match, the Nemesis keeper Carolyn Dapper is the"Player of the game" Amazing game and a pleasure to watch you in goal.

With that said, her clean sheet is about to get a mark on it. On what seemed like slow motion....Crossfire has a throw in on the left side. The ball gets thrown into a group of players from both teams in a scene that reminds me of a rugby scrum. When Lindsey Bos of Crossfire knocks the ball out of the scrum and diagonal across the goal. In super slow motion it rolls as if you could read the lettering and somehow, someway finds the side netting far post. Crossfire is up 1-0.

They look to double their lead a few times with Emily Hurd receiving a pass from Alexandra Beahan and firing it just wide. Then Hurd gets a breakaway that she just pushes wide of the goal.

In the 6 minutes or so of extra time Nemesis pushes hard to tie the game. And in a scene from last years state final a ball bounces into the box with the keeper coming out the Nemesis player pops a header over the keeper and towards the goal. Only this time the ending is different with a Crossfire defender there to run it down and clear it wide. Moments later the referee blows the whistle and this games over.

Good luck to Crossfire in Las Vegas and a huge shout out to Nemesis for having a great game plan and almost beating one of the best girls teams in the state at any age. Your goalie was awesome and Carolyn Dapper you were worth the price of admission just to see some of your saves. Great job both teams.

Crossfire vs Eastside U-15 Boys Final

This was a game that matched up two teams of fairly different styles of play. Eastside with lots of size and athletic players versus Crossfire with a bit smaller team that likes to knock the ball around the pitch. Eastside is one of those teams that really has a way of getting under the skin of the opposing team and making them change their style of play. It was a match-up that I wanted to see, because I knew Eastside had a legitimate shot at beating Crossfire or making Crossfire earn the victory from start to finish. This was a game that did not disappoint from the beginning to the end.

The game started a bit slow for Crossfire and they seemed caught off guard when a ball was sent out wide right and Liam Kelly received it and burst past he defender and fired a missile to the near post. If not for the ball hitting the post and going out of bounds, it very easily could have been 1-0 Eastside. The soccer gods were kind to Crossfire though and they xscaped their slow start and got away unscathed. Moments later Eastside had another chance on a corner sent in by Jordan Con... the scramble and I mean scramble in the box was cleared finally away by Crossfire. It was Eastsides second dangerous chance in the game and definitely gave you the impression they had come to play.

Crossfire had it's best chance of the game when a ball was sent to Kelyn Rowe who saw the keeper coming out and his chip over the keeper went just wide of the far post. Great chance and great effort by Rowe to get his team on the board. Crossfire also had a chance from about 30 yards out that hit the post.... I missed the players number. After a point blank swing and miss at the other end by Eastsides Michael Axelson, bet he wishes he could have that chance back. (side note....I know Michael and actually have had him out to practices with my old team last year...congrats on making Eastside...great kid) It was crossfire chance to score and put themselves up 1-0. It all started when Loius Schott put a nice little pass to Cody Snyder who had the easy put away for a Crossfire goal.

The half continued to be back and forth with chances for both teams. On multiple occasions the Eastside keeper came up big coming out for high balls in his box and cutting off long balls hit towards his box. I felt like in the 1st half he was a huge difference maker controlling the 18 yard box for his team. Numerous times he was run into or bumped by players to get the ball. Nothing seemed to faze him and he was fearless for his team.

It wasn't too long until half in what was a very evenly played game with both teams having chance when Eastside decided it was their turn to get on the scoreboard. On a great pass from Race Sciabica to John Piela, Eastside had their equalizer . Piela slotted the ball home for a 1-1 tie at half.

The second half started with the 2 teams knotted up at 1-1. It wasn't long into the second half when the Eatside keeper receives a red card for a challenge just outside or at the edge of his box. As a long ball was sent over the top a streaking Crossfire player Cody Snyder was going to have a break away. The Eastsides keeper decides to make a play on the ball. In what looks like the goalie is going to try to head the ball as the player for Crossfire heads the ball past him. They collide and end up in a pile right outside the 18. Since the keeper missed the ball, the referee decided to red card the keeper and remove him from the game.

Playing with 10 players is never easy, but losing your rock in goal is even worse. It was time to see what heart this Eastside team had......

Literally 5 or 10 minutes later Eastside showed some of that fight and grit on a ball played back to the Crossfire keeper that one hopped to him. He looked to take a settling touch, but instead it was touched too strong and went directly to John Piela who made the keeper pay. Piela calmly slotted the gift into the back of the net for for a 2-1 Eastside lead.

The rest of the half Crossfire pressure Eastside to get the equalizer. In my opinion the fact Eastside had only 10 players and not the starting keeper played a ket factor in the second half. This isn't meant to take away from Crossfire or the backup keeper, just made the half different.

Crossfire got their equalizer when Kelyn Rowe hits a inside the foot bender towards the goal that gets deflected by an Eastside defender and ends up going over the backup keepers head. If not for the deflection the ball never ends up in the net, but that's soccer and give Kelyn credit for striking the ball with tremendous pace to get the goal. Kelyn to me is one of those game breaking players when he chooses to be.

Maybe 5 to 8 minutes later on a ball sent diagonal across the box from Jose Garibay from about 35 yards out. It went over the Eastside defenders head and onto the foot of Bradley McIntosh who clinically finished it inside the foot for a 3-2 Crossfire lead. Great finish for sure to have the composure to just make sure it's on target and that's exactly what Bradley did. Very nice goal.

The game has it's moments until the end, but for me it was never the same game once the Eastside keeper was ejected. I'm a believer that this game WOULD it have been a different game if not for the ejection. The last goal although awesome to see, probably is a keepers ball with him in there. He is that good of a keeper and he commanded the box that well all year and all of the 1st half.

Regardless of the way the game was played out. Both teams deserve a hand for a well played, very physical game of soccer. They both played hard until the end and in some ways they both deserved the win. Congrats to Crossfire for coming back 2 times in the game, and for battling to the end. Congrats to Eastside for being in the Finals again. I just want to add, that I hope your keeper is okay. I've heard that he is....that's great news.

I do plan on doing one last write-up for the NW National vs WPFC Boys U-13 game...should be up by wednesday. Was a very exciting game to watch and those were some seriously crazy boys soccer parents.

 

Note on State Cup game below...... Although I watched multiple games. Some I decided not to cover or do write-ups on to the full extent.

U-18 Boys Emerald City and Crossfire

This game was one that I watched and have notes for. The issue is the amount of shots and chances one team had versus the other. I have 7 legitimate shots for Crossfire in the 1st half and only 2 for Emerald City. At half the score was Emerald City 1-0. Their one goal was a nice ball slotted from the center of the field from Kyle Montgomery to Brandon Kelley who used his paced to get by the defender and slot home a nice goal past the keeper. Other than that, most would have considered this a very dominate Crossfre 1st half. They not only had more shots, they had the majority of the play in the half. As they say all the time...THAT'S SOCCER!!!!

In the second half Emerald City got a second goal on a gift from the Crossfire keeper who cleared a ball up the middle while way off to the right side of the goal. Leaving Colin Schmetzer an open net that he gladly hit for a 2-0 lead. Honestly not an easy finish even with an open net......nice job Colin.

With the score 2-0 for Emerald City.......Crossfire with maybe 5 minutes left scored 2 goals to tie it. The 1st on a freekick sent in by Julian Harnasch that Ryan Luke slotted away, then a goal by Joel Schilperoort on a nice run and slot past the keeper.

The game ended up going to pk's after the overtimes. With all 4 of the kickers from both teams making them. The 5th kicker for Crossfire topped the ball and sent a slow ball down the middle for the keeper to easily pick up. Emerald City made the 5th to win.

Personally feelings aside and who may or may not have deserved to win the game. I want to comment on the players involved. These two teams are loaded with great kids that can play and are going to play in college. In some cases players from both teams will play for the same college. I believe total there are 20+ from these two teams committed to a college. That is absolutely fantastic and a testament to the players and coaches involved.

Of the players involved I wanted to just say on a personal note that I'll miss many of you. I also wanted to say how nice it was to talk to Sean Morris after the game, a player I've known for years. Your perspective on soccer and moving from one team to the other was awesome. I'm absolutely glad that soccer worked out for you the way it did and that you realize your a better person and player because of it. I walked away from our conversation thinking exactly how I always have about you....... great great great kid. I also wanted to compliment Brian Schmetzer on being there for his players in their most important years...helping them find the right college fit f...Class Act all the way.

One last shout out to Crossfire U-18 boys who if my memory is correct ended with the best record EVER in league play history. Losing 1 game in league play their entire careers....not bad for a bunch of short bus riders :)