with sparkling team play."
SD United
Posted: Tuesday, July 8, 2008 11:29 am
SD UNITED played host to two teams from the NORTH DIVISION over the Fourth of July weekend at Valhalla Stadium. The Friday night match against the SAN FRANCISCO NIGHTHAWKS, which was moved due to a July 6th travel conflict, was played as the second game of a UNITED double header after the men battled the Albuquerque Asylum to a 1-1 tie. UNITED took control early and never looked back as Mid-fielder Jayme Cargnoni was feeling patriotic with sparkles in her hair and fireworks at her feet. Cargnoni, a natural lefty, cut through three Nighthawk defenders off the dribble and blasted a right footed shot over the keeper into the top right corner of the net. With several UNITED starters out of the line-up including goalkeeper Sophia Perez, UNITED represented a very strong squad behind keeper Tiffany Apple, a graduate from local Granite Hills High School. Apple was making her first start at the WPSL level of competition and held the Nighthawks to a 1-0 at half-time.
The UNITED women were led back onto the field in the second half led by Vanessa Valentine, Jenae Gibbons, Taryn Francel, Ashli Sandoval, Debs Brereton, Holly Grogan, Kelly Steele, Karly Larsen, Amara Wilson and Apple, looking to increase the defensive pressure. SD UNITED’S strong possession play forced the Nighthawks to keep pace, setting the stage for the hero of the night, Jayme Cargnoni. Cargnoni made a great run down the left flank. As the keeper attempted to close down the angle, Cargnoni placed a beautiful shot just inside the far-post to put the game out of reach 2-0.
On Saturday July 5th, the SOUTH division’s leading defense, (only 5 goals allowed) returned with Sophia Perez back in the line-up to face the MONTERY BLUES. UNITED’S Rebekah Patrick wasted no time in attacking the Blues defense as she weaved through several defenders off the dribble and hit a scoring shot from outside the eighteen, less than a minute into the match. UNITED’S scoring continued from Holly Grogan on a nice pass from Debs Brereton and two great goals from Lindsay Browne. Browne has been a scoring force for UNITED down the stretch with a hat-trick earlier in the season against Brandi Chastain and the California Storm.
UNITED had very strong performances from Jenae Gibbens, Taryn Francel, Leigh Ann Robinson, Amara Wilson, Karly Larsen and Vanessa Valentine. Follow the excitement as UNITED prepares for the rematch with West Coast FC on July 12 in Newport Beach and their final home game versus the LA Rampage on July 13th at 4pm Valhalla Stadium.
UNITED WE PLAY
www.sdunited.net