After the boys got to close 2019 in the Sunshine State, the Riverhounds Development Academy’s girls kicked things off in the same place for 2020.
Three RDA girls teams competed at ECNL Florida, held just north of Orlando, and the 2003 Girls were as stingy as anyone in the national event. Of 66 teams competing in that age group, only nine went 3-0-0 like the Hounds, and of those nine, only the Hounds did not concede a goal in their three matches.
The three-game win streak consisted of a 2-0 win over Eclipse Select North (Ill.) and consecutive 1-0 wins over the Florida Krush and Bethesda SC (Md.). Sarah Schupansky scored both goals in the opener and assisted Jessica Molitoris’ game winner in the finale. Tatum Gretz scored the only goal in the middle match, as she tallied just three minutes into the game and the team made that goal stand up for the win.
The 03’s success also came without one of their leaders to start the tournament. Tessa Dellarose did not play in the Friday opener after being selected to play in the ECNL Showcase match that closed the first night’s action. Dellarose earned the start at left back in the game and represented herself and the club well with her high-energy performance in the feature match.
Other Hounds success came from the 01/02 Girls, who finished 2-0-1 for the event and also shut out their opponents.
Goalkeepers Madison Vukas and Molly Piso needed their A-game to help the Hounds get a 0-0 draw Friday against Scorpions Soccer (Mass.), but the goals started to come in the next matches. Taylor Hamlett finished with three goals – two in a 5-0 win over FC Stars (Mass.) and the only strike in a 1-0 win over Players Development Academy (N.J.).
The 04 Girls picked up a win in their opener, a back-and-forth 3-2 victory Friday over South Carolina United, but the close games didn’t keep going their way in losses by scores of 1-0 and 3-2 over the weekend.
Sunday, Jan. 12
At ECNL Florida in Sanford, Fla.:
• Jessica Molitoris scored the lone goal on an assist from Sarah Schupansky, and the 03 Girlsgot their third shutout win in three matches with a 1-0 victory over Bethesda SC (Md.). The Hounds were one of nine teams (out of 66 competing) to finish 3-0-0, and the only of those nine to not concede a goal all weekend.
• It didn’t come as easy as the day before, but the 01/02 Girls pulled out a second straight victory by defeating Players Development Academy (N.J.), 1-0. Gina Proviano played Taylor Hamlett through for the finish with 20 minutes to play, and the team managed the late stages of the game well to finish 2-0-1 on the weekend.
• The 04 Girls were tripped up in their final match, a 3-2 defeat to Match Fit Academy (N.J.) that had three lead changes in the game. Audrey Bianco and Sydney Gray had the Hounds’ goals, but the team couldn’t get a tying third strike.
Saturday, Jan. 11
At ECNL Florida in Sanford, Fla.:
• Tatum Gretz scored just three minutes into the game, and it turned out to be the only goal as the 03 Girls defeated the Florida Krush, 1-0. Of the 66 teams in that age group, the Hounds are one of 13 to win their first two matches at the event.
• The 01/02 Girls put in a controlling first 45 minutes against FC Stars (Mass.), and they reaped the rewards after the break by running away with a 5-0 win. Justine Appolonia had the RDA ahead 1-0 at the break with her rocket of a free kick, and in the second half, Taylor Hamlett scored twice to go with a Katelyn Kauffman strike and a Gina Proviano penalty kick.
• Once again, the 04 Girls fell behind to an early goal, but a comeback wasn’t in the cards for a second straight day, as the team fell 1-0 to FC Bucks (Pa.). Bucks had the better of play in the first half, but the RDA took control in the second. Still, the side was unable to find a tying goal.
Friday, Jan. 10
At ECNL Florida in Sanford, Fla.:
• Tessa Dellarose represented the RDA well in the ECNL Showcase match to end the day, as she got the start at left back and turned in a strong performance during the all-star affair.
• Chalk up a year-opening win for the 03 Girls, who were 2-0 winners over Eclipse Select North (Ill.). Sarah Schupansky scored both goals, the first on a free kick and the second set up nicely by Bethany Winnor. The team got the win playing without Tessa Dellarose, who was selected for the ECNL Showcase game later in the evening.
• The 01/02 Girls started slow and never really got going, especially on the attacking end in a 0-0 draw with Scorpions Soccer (Mass.). Big credit goes to goalkeepers Madison Vukas and Molly Piso for helping the Hounds hold on to the draw.
• The 04 Girls opened the action in the first wave of games, and they pulled out a back-and-forth win by a 3-2 score over South Carolina United. The Hounds fell behind first but leveled the score with a goal two minutes later by Audrey Bianco. Abbi Weis laid the ball off to Jess Mihalik for the go-ahead goal, and Mary Kate Lape increased the lead to 3-1 with a good individual effort before S.C. pulled a goal back to make for a tense final eight minutes.
