The Storm capped off an excellent U15 year over Memorial Day by reaching the Championship game of the FC Delco Player’s Cup.  The team was solid throughout the weekend and won 3 games and tied 1 to advance to the final.

 

Beginning the weekend with preliminary play in Group B against the Merrick Cyclones, there was plenty of action on both ends of the field.  The game finished in a 3-3 draw after the Storm let a late lead slip away.  The second game of the day paired the team with Scotch Plains United from New Jersey.  A slow start had the girls down a goal, but they played their way into the match and tallied three goals in a row to win 3-1 and take a solid standing heading into the group’s final game.

 

Storm’s bracket consisted of four groups of 4 teams where only the top placing team from each group would make the semifinals.  The format left the girls with work to do on Sunday morning against FC Pocono Elite.  The team’s offense continued to find it’s groove and rattled off three goals for the third straight game en route to another 3-1 win and a place in the semifinals.

 

Dealing with their fourth game in 36 hours while having just wrapped up high school season was a challenge in the semifinal match.  The team notched a goal early in the contest and fought through heavy legs and tired passes to get their first shutout of the weekend.  One goal was all they needed to advance to Monday morning’s championship.

 

Facing off against a solid Rage SC team who had won all four of their games by a combined 13-1 scoreline, Storm controlled play throughout the first half while generating numerous quality scoring chances, but couldn’t find the net.   A misplay in the back followed by a well taken chance put Rage up 2-0 before Storm got one back.  A furious rally in the closing moments resulted in a few more chances for the girls, but one goal was all they were able to get and the game finished 2-1.

 

The weekend overall was a huge success and a great way to finish what’s been a U15 year far beyond expectations for the group.  Over the year, the group won three tournament championships, finished second twice, won WAGS Division 1, made the WAGS Tournament semifinals, and competed in Division 1 of the Regional Champions League.  Congratulations on an excellent year!