On the RDA’s voyages on Columbus Day weekend, the club discovered a few more trophies to bring home.
The 2008 and 2009 Boys teams both won the top flight of their age group at the Coppa Classico hosted by Penn FC, while a handful of other RDA sides reached finals in central Pennsylvania and in Virginia at the Women and Girls in Soccer Tournament.
For the 09 Boys, it was a weekend of big wins, as they finished outscoring their opponents by a 26-2 margin. Grayson Stuart posted a four-goal performance in a 5-1 semifinal win over Hershey, and Warren Agostoni‘s hat trick was part of the 6-1 championship win over Keystone FC. Carson Torres had an all-tournament performance for the Hounds over their four-match weekend, as well.
The 08s faced much tighter challenges on their way to the title, none more so than in the final against Baltimore Crew. The two sides battled to a scoreless draw, sending the match to penalty kicks. In the shootout, Caleb Campo made a critical save, and the Hounds converted five of six attempts from the spot to claim the title. That victory came after a 3-0 semifinal win over FC Revolution, a match in which the side scored early to get the lead and then controlled possession while playing from the front.
Also reaching finals at the Coppa Classico were the 07 Boys, who topped Southern Chester County in the semifinals, 2-0, before losing 4-0 to a good side from hosts Penn FC. The 09 RDA II Boys had the nearest of title-game misses, getting goals from Devin Sartori, Liam McKim and Taven Antosh in a great match but falling 4-3 to Harford SC (Md.).
Futher south at the WAGS tournament, the 07 Girls got an all-around team effort in a 6-1 semifinal win over Reading Rage. In the final against FC Delco, the team got off to a hot start with a goal from 20 yards by Simone Sharpless, but the Eastern PA side got a penalty kick for a handling call against the Hounds, and they went on to send the RDA to a 2-1 defeat in bad weather.
The 08 Girls also booked a place in the final with goals by Emme Kline and Addi Pavely to take a 2-1 win against Fredericksburg FC (Va.). The team seemed to run out of steam in the last match, and they ran into a very good Beach FC (Va.) club that took the trophy by a 3-0 score.
Sunday, Oct. 11
At the WAGS Tournament in Richmond, Va.
• The 07 Girls continued their excellent play by advancing to the final with a win over Reading Rage, 6-1. Ava Yurko and Simone Sharpless and Robyn Reilly were excellent in the midfield, while Bella Costa, Maddie Marcotte and goalkeeper Molly Kubistek continued their good play for the weekend. The team got off to a fast start in the final with a well-struck Sharpless goal from 20 yards out, but bad weather and a handball call in the box hurt the Hounds, who were topped 2-1 by FC Delco.
• The 08 Girls were flying out of the gate in their semifinal, as an Emme Kline free kick and a Addi Pavely finish from a great team move put the girls ahead by two goals. The team controlled much of play, but Fredericksburg FC (Va.) got a late consolation goal to make the finish a little tense in the 2-1 win. The 08s ran out of steam in the final, however, as a very good Beach FC (Va.) side had the better of the match in a 3-0 Hounds loss.
• The 04 Girls were up against a physically strong TSJ FC Virginia side, and a dubious penalty put them behind in what would end as a 3-1 loss. Fiona Mahan scored the goal on a deftly played through ball by Lola Abraham, as the Hounds got a good learning experience from the match.
At the Coppa Classico in Hershey, Pa.
• It’s on to the final for the 09 Boys, who were paced by four Grayson Stuart goals in a 5-1 semifinal win over Hershey. The team’s clean sheet for the tournament finally was ended by a penalty kick, but the defense continues to play well. In the final, it was Warren Agostoni who carried the scoring load with three in a 6-1 win over Keystone FC. Carson Torres was outstanding throught the weekend with an all-tournament performance.
• Also coming out as champions were the 08 Boys, who needed penalties to hoist the trophy against Baltimore Crew after a scoreless draw. Caleb Campo made a critical penalty save, and the Hounds converted five of six kicks. The team earlier cruised to the final with a comfortable 3-0 win over FC Revolution, scoring early then controlling the ball.
• The 06 Boys finished second in their group after closing the weekend with a 6-1 win over Old Line SC (Md.). Most of the goals were well-constructed team strikes, as Pablo Linzoain finished a pair, and John Krug, Logan Pappert, Danny Steven and Zach Nash all recorded goals.
• The 07 Boys knocked off Southern Chester County, 2-0, to advance to the championship game. The final was a tough one, though, as host club Penn FC produced a big performance to beat the Hounds, 4-0.
• FC Europa topped the 10 Boys in a high-scoring semifinal, 6-3. Ryan Perez did have a pair of goals in the defeat, and Alex Mestre played a fantastic match.
• The 09 RDA II Boys prevailed with a 2-1 semifinal win over DASC Thunder. The team jumped out with an early goal by Devin Sartori, but a little complacency set in, and the Thunder equalized before halftime. The team came out with more fire in the second half, and Grayson Brunotto scored a well-deserved winner. In the final, the side had plenty to be proud of in a great effort, but they came up just short against Harford (Md.), 4-3. Sartori, Liam McKim and Taven Antosh notched the Hounds’ goals.
• The 08 RDA II Boys were stopped short of the final in a neighborhood rivalry match, falling 1-0 to FC Pittsburgh in the semifinal.
• Also toppled in the semifinals were the 07 RDA II Boys, who fell 2-0 to Celtic SC.
• The 12 East Boys closed the weekend with a great all-around team effort for a 5-1 win over Keystone FC. Liam Pletcher scored twice, while Ridge Brunton, Nick Bosnic and Caleb Lovas also found the net for the Hounds.
Saturday, Oct. 10
At the WAGS Tournament in Richmond, Va.
• Playing with the contributions of a number of 05 and 06 players, the 04 Girls turned out a great 4-1, come-from-behind win over Skyline Elite, Virginia’s top-ranked team in the age group. Trailing 1-0 at the break, the Hounds pulled even with a Fiona Mahan penalty kick won by Lola Abraham. Audrey Bianco, Ava Brucker and Kimberly Cora kept the goal rush going, while the Hounds got superb contributions from everyone, including center back Bella Vozar and forward Ava Boyd.
• A slow start saw the 08 Girls concede in the just the third minute of the game against Charlotte Independence. The second half was better and played mostly in the opponent’s half, and the Hounds were able to pull out a 1-1 draw after an excellent solo goal by Averie Bierker, who cut in from the left side and chipped the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper from a tight angle. The Hounds left it until late in their second match, but Camdynn Gonzalez poked home an Emma Kline cross from close range for a 1-0 win over Beadling. The match was evenly played throughout, but the Hounds missed some promising first-half chances, as Bierker struck the bar and Gonzalez put a good chance high.
• Battling through rain, the 07 Girls got a free kick goal and a penalty converted by Simone Sharpless for a 2-1 win over West-Mont United. Lilly Dejesus and Maddie Barr both were strong in the back for the opening win. Later in the day, the team picked up its second win, 5-1, over Charlotte Independence. Sierra Dupre scored the double, and Mia Deramo, Emma Schupansky and Robyn Reilly also added goals.
At the Coppa Classico in Hershey, Pa.
• First to kick off were the 09 RDA II Boys, and they were up for the early start with a 6-3 win over PA Classics. The team was excellent in possession in the first half, being patient and finding runners to open up a three-goal lead. PA Classics pushed back to start the second, but the Hounds recovered after a spell being caught playing kickball. Devin Sartori and Aniketh Gosh scored twice each, and Liam Greg and Liam McKim added the other goals. The second match was a step back in play by the side, but the Hounds showed heart in a scrappy 3-3 draw with Harford FC (Md.).
• The 08 RDA II Boys found themselves locked in a battle of wills with local club CASA, and the net result was a 1-1 draw. The opponents were strong in the middle with a center back standing over 6-feet tall, but the Hounds used their advantage on the wings. The Hounds took the lead with a McAlister Steele goal, but the team conceded a late free kick that cost it the victory. The team’s second match saw them concede early despite carrying play, but soon the goals would come in a 5-1 win over Northern Elite (Md.). Mark Martella scored twice; Joseph Preston and Colton Yonker also scored; and Canaan Kerestesi and Jace Gratchic were outstanding in the win.
• On a narrow, bumpy field, the 07 RDA II Boys had to adapt and look for more through balls, which they did with some success in a 4-2 win over Northeast Cantalao. AJ Marcotte, Sutton Hoehl, Nathan Kline and Noah Akamonlar scored for the Hounds. The team’s second match of the day pitted them against a CASA side with a standout player standing above the rest. Credit Graham Kunz for a good game working to contain him, but the opposing side came out on top, 4-1.
• Adam Figura posted the clean sheet in net for the 09 Boys, who knocked off host side Penn FC, 4-0. Warren Agostoni scored twice, Cam Sullenger and Christian Ovalle also had goals, and Dylan Shallenberger had a pair of assists in the win. The second match was less of a test, as Agostoni bagged four and Grayson Stuart added three as part of an 11-0 win over Keystone SC.
• Chalk up two good performances on the day for the 08 Boys, the first resulting in a comeback 2-2 draw against Penn FC. The Hounds controlled possession but were beaten twice on mistakes playing out of the back. Goals by Calder Mahan and a late one by Tristan Josephic earned the point. The team’s second game, a 3-0 win over Northeast Cantalao had goals by Harper Boles, Josephic and Owen Shearer, while Mahan, Brody Kennedy and Zach White all had standout a game.
• The 07 Boys were resounding winners in their first match, topping Fusion FC by a 7-1 count. The scoring was spread out with two goals by Roman Agostoni and one each for Finn Kichi, Brayden Davin, Ethan Voight-Cherna, Victor Slack and JJ Vozar. The side squandered more chances in their second match but still came away with a 3-1 win over FC Europa behind goals from Wyatt Catchen, Kichi and Agostoni.
• The 06 Boys won convincingly in their opening match, 5-0 over Hanover. The second match was a tighter affair facing Northern Baltimore, and mistakes at the back hurt the Hounds in a 3-2 defeat.
• The 10 Boys got a draw and a win on their day, first splitting a 2-2 match with Keystone FC. Ryan Perez scored both goals, and both goals for the opponents came by way of penalty kick. The second outing saw Perez score two more as part of a 5-0 win over Northeast Cantolao. Johnathon Menke also had two goals and two assists in the win.
• Liam Pletcher and Ridge Brunton scores as the 12 East Boys got a taste of tournament action, but the Hounds were topped 4-2 by Hanover SC. Gunner Respit scored in the team’s second outing, but they were topped by PA Classics.
