Momentum can help carry a team, and it’s certainly on the side of the RDA’s 2007 Girls.
The 07 Girls side blanked Indiana’s FC Pride, 2-0, in ECNL play Sunday at Highmark Stadium, recording the team’s second straight clean sheet and bringing their record for the month of October to a healthy 6-1 in all competitions.
The Hounds didn’t quite have their A-game to open the match against FC Pride, but they were sound at the back and slowly gained control. Emma Schupansky and Fiona Mahan scored the goals to lock up all three points for the Hounds on a weekend light on games but still with its share of highlights.
Among the other winners were the 09 East Girls, who won an in-state GLA matchup Saturday in Cranberry Township against SCS United, 3-1. As with their older city counterparts, it took time for this group to settle into the game, but once they did, it was smooth sailing with a pair of goals by Rylee Leasher and a strike from Kate Habershaw.
Also in the win column in a GLA match was the 07 RDA II Boys, who traveled to New Kensington and had to battle for a 2-1 victory over Allegheny Force.
Though the results weren’t there, there were teachable moments for the club’s Pre-ECNL girls teams in the 09, 10 and 11 age groups. Each of those sides made strides over the weekend despite narrow setbacks at the hands of strong — and in some cases, physically dominating — sides from Ohio Premier and Cleveland Force.
As play winds into November, results will continue to be posted on the Live Results page, where more details and a full rundown of scores is available.
Sunday, Oct. 25
In ECNL matches at Highmark Stadium:
• Another game and another clean sheet for the 07 Girls, who blanked FC Pride (Ind.) in a 2-0 win. Emma Schupansky and Fiona Mahan scored for the Hounds, as the team turned it on in the second half after an opening period that wasn’t quite up to par.
• The 08 Girls ran into a very good FC Pride side in their age group, and the visitors bagged a 5-0 win. The Hounds continued to make improvement on the ball over earlier outings, but the group still has a few steps more to take to compete with the top ECNL teams.
In Pre-ECNL matches at Montour Junction:
• The 09 Girls were level at half with the visiting Cleveland Force, but the visitors took advantage when the Hounds were a little slow to track back with their marks, which sent the hosts to a 3-0 defeat.
• Goals were hard to come by on the day, and the 10 Girls were turned aside by a good goalkeeping effort from the Cleveland Force. While the Hounds created enough chances to get a result, only the visitors were able to finish, and the RDA fell 2-0.
• Still struggling with numbers and short players in certain positions, the 11 Girls put out another game effort in a 4-2 loss to Cleveland Force. Gianna Marts scored both goals for the Hounds, who had the game level at 2-2 before the Force pulled away late.
In Great Lakes Alliance play at Montour Junction:
• The 07 East Girls played evenly with Cleveland Force throughout the match, but the visitors were able to finish chances where the Hounds were not, and the RDA side fell, 2-0.
Saturday, Oct. 24
In Great Lakes Alliance matches:
• The 09 East Girls started slow but then gained control of play in a 3-1 win over SCS United in Cranberry Township. Rylee Leasher picked up a pair of goals, and Kate Habershaw also scored for the Hounds, who had a good team defensive effort.
• The 07 RDA II Boys were 2-1 winners in a battle with Allegheny Force in New Kensington.
In Pre-ECNL matches at Montour Junction:
• The 11 Girls were topped 3-0 by a bigger and stronger Ohio Premier side, but the Hounds showed definite improvement over their last outing, even without their full compliment of players.
• The 09 Girls competed well but didn’t create enough chances, and they were beaten by a single goal, 1-0, against Ohio Premier.
• A slow start kept the 10 Girls from establishing a rhythm until late against Ohio Premier, and the visitors claimed a 4-1 win. The girls took the lead with a goal from Ashleigh Mitrik after a great through ball by Leesia Phetsomphou.
