Texas turned out to be a pretty nice winter destination for the RDA’s 2005 Girls.
The 05 Girls completed a perfect 3-0-0 Presidents Day weekend in the Lone Star State, where three of the Hounds Academy’s teams took part in the ECNL Texas event held in the Houston suburb of Spring, Texas.
Big plays in tight moments were a common theme for the 05 side, which won their opener Saturday over FC Wisconsin, 1-0. Ava Boyd converted a penalty kick for the lone goal, and goalkeeper Jordan Spozarski stopped a penalty to preserve the shutout and win.
Boyd and Fiona Mahan scored in a 2-0 win Sunday over Vardar SC (Mich.), but the Hounds were pushed to the limit in their Monday finale. Trailing by a goal with just 20 minutes to play, the RDA side rallied for a 3-2 win over the Michigan Hawks. Boyd scored twice, including the game winner with her left foot from nearly 30 yards away, and Lola Abraham also scored for the Hounds.
Boyd wasn’t the only scoring star on the weekend, as Audrey Bianco found the net in all three matches for the 2004 Girls, as well. Bianco’s goals helped grab a pair of 1-1 draws in her team’s first two matches, but the Hounds fell 2-1 in their last outing against FC Pride (Ind.).
The 03 Girls got one win out of their three matches, a 3-1 victory against the Utah Avalanche that featured Jayden Sharpless’ first RDA goal and strikes by Emily Kirkpatrick and Jessica Molitoris. Goals didn’t come easy for that side, however, as they had to play without two top attacking options.
Tessa Dellarose did not travel with the team after being called up to compete with the U.S. Youth National Team, and Sarah Schupansky also missed action with the 03s after being chosen to take part in the select showcase match at ECNL Texas.
While the girls were in Texas, the 03/04 Boys were also along the Gulf Coast at the USL Academy Cup’s Eastern Regional in Lakewood Ranch, Fla. The new event featuring academy sides from USL Championship and USL League One clubs is the latest high-end event for the Hounds, and the boys grabbed mixed results.
Set pieces hurt the team in a lopsided loss to Louisville City, but the Hounds bounced back by topping FC Miami City, 2-0, on a pair of Will Sangpachatanaruk goals. The third match came down to the wire after Caden Carpenter scored on an assist from Greg Sprenkel, but the Hounds were defeated 2-1 by South Georgia Tormenta.
Monday, Feb. 17
At ECNL Texas in Spring, Texas:
• The 05 Girls are coming home with a perfect 3-0-0 record after ending up on top in an absolute war with the Michigan Hawks, 3-2, on a less-than stellar surface. Ava Boyd scored the game winner with a left-footed blast from nearly 30 yards, as the Hounds came back after trailing by a goal with just 20 minutes to play. The goal was Boyd's second in the match, and Lola Abraham also struck for the 05s.
• Chances came until the final whistle for the 04 Girls, but FC Pride (Ind.) capitalized on two first-half mistakes and held on to beat the Hounds, 2-1. Audrey Bianco scored her third in as many matches off an assist from Mackenzie Dupre with seven minutes to play. In stoppage time, the Hounds had a set piece saved out for a corner, and on the ensuing corner kick, Sydney Gray rose to head the potential winner, only to have her shot denied by the crossbar.
• The 03 Girls showed signs of playing the weekend shorthanded because of injury and call-ups in their final match, as they fell 2-0 to the Minnesota Thunder. The team lacked scoring punch, and a number of players saw their roles change or increase on the fly against a strong opponent.
At the USL Academy Cup Eastern Regional in Lakewood Ranch, Fla.:
• The 03/04 Boys put together a good showing in their final match of the weekend, but the side came up short in a 2-1 loss to South Georgia Tormenta. Caden Carpenter had the Hounds' goal on an assist from Greg Sprenkel.
Sunday, Feb. 16
At ECNL Texas in Spring, Texas:
• The 05 Girls kept their clean sheet intact for a second straight day with a 2-0 win over Vardar SC (Mich.). Ava Boyd and Fiona Mahan had the Hounds' goals, and there could have been more from a strong outing if not for an excellent performance from the Vardar goalkeeper.
• The 03 Girls fell behind early but stormed back in the second half for a 3-1 victory over the Utah Avalanche. Emily Kirkpatrick and Jessica Molitoris scored, and Jayden Sharpless put home her first RDA goal with a 25-yard strike.
• The 04 Girls led on Audrey Bianco's second goal in as many days, but a very direct Challenge SC (Texas) side got a tying goal before halftime, and the match ended 1-1 after a scoreless second half.
At the USL Academy Cup Eastern Regional in Lakewood Ranch, Fla.:
• Match two was a bounce-back performance for the 03/04 Boys, who knocked off FC Miami City, 2-0. Will Sangpachatanaruk scored both goals for the Hounds, getting a great assist from Greg Sprenkel on one and a setup from Caden Carpenter on the other.
Saturday, Feb. 15
At ECNL Texas in Spring, Texas:
• The penalty spot made all the difference for the 05 Girls in their 1-0 win over FC Wisconsin. Ava Boyd made her kick from 12 yards out for the Hounds' goal, and Jordan Spozarski stopped an FC Wisconsin penalty to preserve the victory.
• Audrey Bianco scored on a set piece to put the 04 Girls ahead, and the Hounds played a solid game with possession and plenty of chances created. But, with eight minutes left, the Tulsa Hurricanes (Okla.) were able to snag a tying goal, and the match ended 1-1.
• The 03 Girls, playing without two of their top finishers in Tessa Dellarose (national team) and Sarah Schupansky (ECNL select match), found goals hard to come by in a 4-0 defeat to the hometown Albion Hurricanes FC.
Friday, Feb. 14
At the USL Academy Cup Eastern Regional in Lakewood Ranch, Fla.:
• The 03/04 Boys fell behind early and struggled to defend set pieces against Louisville City FC, which set the tone in a 7-2 defeat for the Hounds.