The Team Dayton U-18 Girls traveled to Broward County in Florida for the prestigious Orange Classic Girls Soccer Tournament hoping to continue with the success that they experienced in Memphis. In the Orange Classic the team competed in the Green Division with twenty-four other teams from twelve states and Canada.

The team’s first game was with Team Boca Navy, FL and the result was a 2-1 win for Team Dayton. The following day the team met Real Colorado Olympico and the game ended in a 1-1 draw. These results, along with the fact that the other team in the bracket had won both of its pool games, meant that whichever team won the final pool game would advance to the quarter-finals. Team Dayton prevailed 1-0 in a very intense match versus the Manassas Hornets, VA. Team Dayton scored relatively early in the match and defended well enough to get the result.

The team advanced out of pool play but it was clear that the team was not creating chances nor scoring at the same rate as in Memphis. The team’s defending, however, was better than Memphis and it became clear that the team would advance as far as the team’s defending would take them.

The quarter-finals were played that evening under the lights versus the Albertson Fury, NY. The Fury carried the possession and chances in the first half; however, Team Dayton’s hard work, concentration and a bit of luck resulted in a half-time score of 0-0. Although not a part of the game plan the Fury’s first half effort seemed to take its toll on them. In the second half Team Dayton gained more and more of the possession and continued to create good scoring opportunities finally scoring the game winner with ten minutes left. Again, the team finished off the match defending well and thus advancing to the semi-finals.

In the semi-finals the next morning Team Dayton’s opponent was the SWYA Predators, VA. At the conclusion of the first half the game was tied 0-0 and it seemed plausible the game would be decided by penalty kicks because neither team mounted a consistent attack. Team Dayton scored a goal early in the second half and then conceded two goals from restarts in the final twenty minutes to lose 2-1. As was apparent the team had to continue its excellent defending to win and unfortunately, the two goals were more than the team could overcome.

The team is quite proud of their results in this tournament and in Memphis. In Memphis the team won by overwhelming teams with a very effective attack, while, in the Orange Classic the team won by excellent team defending. Once this team is able to combine the two efforts their potential is limitless.

Copyright 2003: Team Dayton Soccer Club; All Rights reserved.