By Addy Jacoby
Summer has officially begun, and for most kids, that means the pool and going on vacation.
For the Riverhounds 2009 ECNL Girls team, this summer starts with one big business trip, as the 09s are the first-ever Hounds Academy girls team to qualify for the Champions League, the top tier of the ECNL Playoffs.
Academy Director and coach Scott Gibson couldn’t be happier with the teams success and paving a way for rising teams among the club.
“The Champions League is at the top, so for them to lay that benchmark, I think is awesome. I think this will be the first of many,” Gibson said.
As for the players, the excitement is still high among the team. Before going to the ECNL Playoffs, the ladies ended their showcase season at the end of May in North Carolina, where the girls placed first overall out of 78 teams.
“It’s very special to be a part of this team, and I am extremely proud of myself and my team for accomplishing all we have so far. It’s exciting to be a part of the first Riverhounds team to have made it to Champions League playoffs, and I think that speaks to how great of an environment we as a team have built,” 09s midfielder/defender Anelise Castrodale said. “We have worked for this the whole season and constantly push each other to be better to give us the best possible shot at winning.”
The girls are also led by Joenal Castma, who is a first-year coach with this specific team.
“We’ve put in a ton of hours and hard work. These girls have put in the hard work on and off the field,” Castma said. “I’m really impressed by their overall drive, and they’re having so much fun together. Whether it’s positioning, attacking or defending as a unit, they’re just having so much fun.”
This year’s ECNL Playoffs are being held in San Diego, Calif. In the U16 level where the 2009 team competes, the best 48 teams from around the country qualified for the Champions League.
The 48 teams are divided into 12 groups of four, and they will play three group stage games. The 12 group winners, along with the four best second place teams, will go to the Round of 16 which starts the knockout rounds. Those teams are competing for a spot at the ECNL Girls Final which is hosted in Richmond, Va. in the end of July.
Castrodale and Marina Hajnosz both shared how the Riverhounds organization has set them up for success and prepared them for these upcoming big moments.
“Our coaches are incredible. Both Coach Scott and Joenal challenge each of us at every single practice. They push us to be our best in every aspect of the game, which allows success as a team.” Castrodale said.
“My coaches have shared and encouraged the team’s goals from the beginning and always held high expectations for us,” said Hajnosz, a midfielder for the 09s. “There is such a high level of training at practice, and I think it has prepared us for the elite level of competition and the fast pace of the game that we will face. I am confident that we can succeed here, and it is thanks to our coaches for always pushing us to be better.”
Before they left for California, Castma shared the mentality that has been shared among the players and team.
“We just have to do what we’ve been doing and can’t overthink it. Play the soccer we play, and hope that everything else falls into place. We can’t overthink and tense up and you may not play your game,” he said.
Through their first game, the 09s are sticking to that mindset. The team began the tournament on June 26 by taking a 5-1 win over Atlanta Fire United, a great start that puts them two wins away from being assured of a place in the knockout rounds.
