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The Jr. Rhinos advanced to the final match after accomplishing a 1-0-2 record in the preliminary matches. The first play down match was against the highly ranked California Rush Nike team. After finishing the first half with a 2-nil lead on goals from Veronica Santiago and Regina Nowicki , the Rhinos finished the game with a 2-2 draw despite solid goalkeeping from both Bre Maggio and Lindsay DeLap. A late goal with one minute in regulation by the Black Diamond from Utah brought another 2-2 draw in the second game despite goals from Lindsay Tegas and the University of Maryland bound Ashley Grove. Moving into the third and final game of the preliminaries, the Rhinos knew they had to win in order to advance to the final match. With their team determination at a peak, the GU16 team blasted to the final match with a convincing 4-0 win over CYSA Lightning Premiere from Florida. With two double-scoring efforts from both Ashley Grove and Sarah Henderson and a shut-out for goalie Breanna Maggio, the lady Rhinos sealed their admission to the final match against the Arsenal World Class Hawks from NJ. In near 90-degree heat and blazing sun, the Jr Rhinos battled for over 100 minutes. The Rhinos defense of Mary DeWitte, Bre Forger, Shannon Spusta, Amanda Sudore, and Bridget Kehm held the Arsenal scoreless. The Midfield led by Brooke Hessney, Regina Nowicki, Briana Tata, Lindsay Tegas and Shawna Murat turned up the pressure in the 2nd half to give the Rhinos a distinct possession advantage throughout the second half. But at the end of regulation the game remained scoreless. The Rhinos continued to pressure in the first overtime and had several good scoring opportunities just miss. But only two minutes into the 2nd overtime Veronica Santiago sent a perfectly bent ball into the far-post net to score the game winning goal_ The Rhinos proceeded to turn up their attack and within 2 minutes, Sarah Henderson sent a faultless volley into the net of the opponent to seal the deal. With a 2-0 victory over the Arsenal World Class Hawks from NJ, the Rochester Jr Rhinos GU16 team became the US Club Soccer National Champions for 2007. The team roster is as follows: Head Coach Dan Shoniker, Assistant Coach Al Schmitt; Players: Lindsay DeLap, Mary DeWitte, Breanna Forger, Ashley Grove, Olivia Guy, Sarah Henderson, Brooke Hessney, Ashley Hughes, Bridget Kehm Breanna Maggio, Shawna Murat, Regina Nowicki, Amy O'Sullivan, Emily Para, Evelyn Santiago, Shannon Spusta, Sara Stevens, Amanda Sudore, Lindsay Tegas,and Briana Tata. |
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With a stellar team effort, the Rochester Junior Rhinos Girls U16 Elite captured the US Club Soccer Club National Championship after a cliff-hanger of a game on Tuesday morning July 31. Held at Bryan Park in Greensboro, NC, the US Club National Championship brought Regional Champion teams from all over the country together to battle for the coveted National Champion title.