It was another tremendous weekend for the Riverhounds Development Academy in Richmond, Va., as the girls’ showcase weekend of the prestigious Jefferson Cup provided more chances for the Hounds to shine. Playing matches March 19-21, four RDA sides completed the weekend unbeaten, a group representing a wide spread of age groups and both the Academy East and City locations.
The 2006 East Girls, playing in one of the only divisions to have a championship match rather than round-robin only, reached the final and triumphed with a 3-1 win over New Jersey Rush. Robin Reilly, Kierstyn Maxey, and Emma Tikey scored as the Hounds controlled the bulk of the play and got the deserved result.
The win completed a 3-0-1 weekend for the side, which was tested heavily on the final day. To reach the final, the side had to get a win or draw from their final group match earlier in the day. Miya Valecko scored to put the Hounds ahead, but the team needed to withstand a late charge to hold on for a 1-1 draw against the Charlotte Independence.
Playing in the top division of the Jefferson Cup, the 02/03 Girls were one of four teams to win all three matches in the highest-level showcase group, closing with a 4-0 flourish against Eastern Pa. club Eagle FC. The team also took hard-fought wins over Beach FC (Va.), 2-0, and Richmond United, 2-1, as six different players accounted for the eight goals scored on the weekend.
The 02/03 Composite Girls side continued the strong play in the oldest age group as only one of 11 teams in their tier to win all three matches. Sarah Powell and Honora Armfield scored beautiful goals in the 2-0 win over Pipeline SC (Md.) to close the action, and Powell finished with a team-high four goals on the weekend, which included a 4-2 victory over the Richmond Strikers and a 2-0 win over the Tidewater Sharks (Va.).
The 05 Girls were the fourth side to come out without a defeat, as they posted a 2-0-1 record in the most challenging bracket of their age group. Things got off to a strong start with a 1-1 draw against a nationally ranked Pipeline SC side, as Fiona Mahan’s free-kick canceled out a penalty kick by the Marylanders, and the Hounds continued to beat SUSA (N.Y.) with a Lucia Wells hat trick in a 4-3 comeback and Real Jersey FC, 2-0.
Other weekend highlights closer to home included an outstanding weekend in Great Lakes Alliance matches for the 09 East Girls, who posted a 3-0-1 record in four matches, all of which were very competitive and decided by two goals or fewer.
The full rundown of results reported over the weekend can always be found HERE on the Live Results page at Riverhound.com, which this week includes more wins from the Jefferson Cup, GLA matches, and Boys ECNL action.
