Last weekend was the boys’ turn at the Ohio Elite Showcase, and the Riverhounds Development Academy (RDA) certainly had plenty to put on display.
Four RDA teams – the 2004, 05 and 07 Boys and the 02/03 RDA II Boys — finished atop their group in the second weekend of the Cincinnati-area event, making it a fruitful weekend battling the cold and good opposition.
Bubby Towns had his scoring boots with him, as he netted five goals in three matches for the 04 Boys in a 3-0-0 weekend. It didn’t come easy for the side, however, as Inter FC (Ill.) gave the team their toughest match in the Friday opener. The Hounds pulled it out with goals by Caden Carpenter and Will Gruca making it a 2-1 win.
The 05 Boys, meanwhile, became unlikely champs after drawing their first two matches, including a 0-0 Friday tilt abandoned at halftime because of snow. But the team rolled to a 5-2 win against FC Pride (Ind.) behind four Alex Hauskrecht goals on Sunday, and their +3 goal difference gave them the top spot of a group where four of nine matches ended tied.
For the 07 group, it was the defense that led the way, as they outscored the opposition 9-2 while winning all three matches. A 3-2 win over Inter FC was their toughest match, as weather forced them to play twice Saturday, but Chase Wilojanapa’s game winner after two Billy Kowalkowski goals got the job done.
The 02/03 side represented the RDA II teams well with their own lockdown defense, winning all three matches without conceding. Two of those came by 1-0 scores, as Nate Lambert struck to win the opener against FC Pride, and Caleb Massie converted from the penalty spot in the finale against Fairfield Optimist SC (Ohio).
Last weekend also saw some of the Hounds’ younger girls teams head to their turn at the Ultimate Cup in Richmond, Va., where the high level of play posed some challenges. Though no trophies came home, the RDA sides did post some quality results.
The 09 Girls split two matches by 2-0 scores on the first day, with Gabby Kim and Maddy Pons scoring in the win over Braddock Road SC (Va.). That kept the team in the running on the final day, but a hard-fought 0-0 draw with fellow contender Southwestern Youth Association (Va.) ended up keeping both teams out of the final.
Sunday, March 1
At the Ultimate Cup in Richmond, Va.:
• The 08 Girls came out with good intensity and energy, and that was rewarded with a 2-1 win over Braddock Road SC Academy (Va.) to close the weekend on a high note. Mia Lancy and Addie Pavely scored the Hounds’ goals in the win.
• The 09 Girls needed a win to have a chance to reach the final of their age group, but they instead finished with a 0-0 draw against the Southwestern Youth Association (Va.), keeping both the Hounds and the SYA from the top spot.
• The 07/08 RDA II Girls shook off their Saturday struggles, turning in a much better outing though still taking a loss to the Richmond Kickers South, 3-2. Alexis Sullenger and Lily Hillegas put the Hounds on the board.
• Milan Pennetti and Rachel Braidic scored for the 10/11 Girls, who had a better outing but still need to reach the level of some of their best opposition, as the Richmond Strikers took a 6-2 win.
At the Ohio Elite Showcase in Cincinnati:
• The defense shined again for the 07 Boys, who got their second shutout of the weekend with a 3-0 win over Ohio Elite. Victor Slack scored twice, and Chase Wilojanapa scored for the second straight day.
• Alex Hauskrecht put four goals into the FC Pride (Ind.) net to highlight a dominating 5-2 win for the 05 Boys. Oliver Daboo got the scoring started as the Hounds grabbed a win after back-to-back draws.
• Bubby Towns scored his fourth and fifth goals of the weekend, and Luke Lenz scored an excellent free kick for the 04 Boys, who finished the weekend 3-0-0 after a 3-1 win over Total Futbol Academy (Ohio).
• The 03 Boys came out on the right end of a high-scoring affair, topping Upper 90 North FC (Ohio), 7-3. The scoring was spread out, with Sam Farner’s two making him the only multiple-goal scorer.
• The 01/02 Boys were in a game that had chances for both teams but no breakthrough, leaving the Hounds with a 0-0 draw against Team Challenger (Ohio).
• Caleb Massie’s penalty kick was the difference, as the 02/03 RDA II Boys claimed a 1-0 victory over Fairfield Optimist SC (Ohio).
• Dominating possession led to a deserved 3-1 win for the 04/05 RDA II Boys over SP Soccer Academy (Ohio). Adam Thompson produced a good individual goal that started the scoring, and Greg Kossuth added the next two for the Hounds.
Saturday, Feb. 29
At the Ultimate Cup in Richmond, Va.:
• The 09 Girls split their two matches by matching 2-0 scores, defeating Braddock Road SC Academy (Va.) but taking the loss against VA Rush. Gabby Kim and Maddy Pons had the goals for the Hounds, who still have an outside shot at the final with a win in their last group match Sunday.
• The 08 Girls were locked in a tight match until a clever play by the Northern Virginia SC striker opened the scoring just before half. That strike seemed to open the floodgates for the second half, and the Hounds fell, 4-0.
• A lack of depth hurt the 10/11 Girls, as they fell to Beach FC (Va.) by a 5-1 final and to Braddock Road SC Academy, 8-1. Rachel Bradic netted the goals in each match for the RDA.
• The 07/08 RDA II Girls needed to make adjustments after conceding four first-half goals to St. Mary’s Soccer (Md.), and the team responded with a more resolute defensive half in a 4-0 defeat.
At the Ohio Elite Showcase in Cincinnati:
• The 01/02 Boys finally got on the field after a Friday cancellation (weather) and picked up a 2-0 win over Club Ohio. Darek Panucci scored the opener on an assist from Nino Civitate, and Luke Peperak was set up by Austin Rocke for the second.
• The 07 Boys knocked off the rust from playing their first game in two months with a 3-0 victory over Nationals Tri-County (Mich.). Nate Katari had two goals, and Garrett Chandler had the other in front of a very good defensive performance. The team’s second match was a thriller, a 3-2 victory over Inter FC (Ill.) that was settled by a Chase Wilojanapa goal that came after he was able to shake three defenders. The Hounds led 2-0 on a pair of Billy Kowalkowski goals, but Inter rallied before the deciding strike.
• Bubby Towns’ hat trick was the headline, but the 04 Boys as a unit produced a comprehensive 6-1 win over Schwaben AC (Ill.). Anders Bordoy, Jonny Dragisic and Will Gruca rounded out the scoring in the team’s second consecutive win.
• The 03 Boys picked up a hard-fought 2-2 draw against FC Pride (Ind.). Sam Farner and Ryan Edwards had the Hounds’ goals.
• Set piece defending did in the 06 Boys, as Inter FC (Ill.) scored all three of their goals from dead balls in a 3-1 loss for the Hounds.
Friday, Feb. 28
At the Ohio Elite Showcase in Cincinnati:
• Nate Lambert’s goal was the only score of the game, and the 02/03 RDA II Boys kicked off their weekend with a 1-0 victory over FC Pride (Ind.).
• Connor Morrisard had four goals, and the 04/05 RDA II Boys were able to overcome snowy conditions and the Ohio Elite Academy, 6-0.
• The 05 Boys couldn’t capitalize on their first-half chances in bad conditions, and they got a 0-0 draw in the books when their match with Galaxy SC (Ill.) was abandoned at halftime due to weather.
• The 04 Boys managed to squeeze in their match and squeeze out a 2-1 win over Inter FC (Ill.) with goals by Caden Carpenter and Will Gruca.
