League Play
The Galaxy won their second consecutive
Spring Div 1 Title with an undefeated record.
SYC Galaxy 3 - RFC United 0
Recap: Sam Stocker opened the scoring
with the first goal as the Galaxy scored three goals in the first half. RFC and SYC were both hampered by bumpy field conditions
and high winds. The RFC goalie made several excellent saves as she took on Jenny and Marika 1v1 to save goals.
SYC Galaxy 5 - TSC Lady Thunder
2
Recap: Marika had scored in 25 consecutive
games prior to Saturday's game against FRED. She immediately made up for the previous days shutout by scoring five goals with
nice assists from Michaeline, Callan, Gretchen, and Jenny. Marika, Sam, Callan, and Jenny each had excellent moves to goal
that were saved by the TSC goalkeeper. In Spring 2004 and 2005, Galaxy split games with TSC, which were the only WAGS losses
for those seasons. This year, TSC played intense until the final whistle and was the only team to score two goals against
the Galaxy.
SYC Galaxy 0 - FRED United 0
Recap: Because of illness and college
visits, the team played with one sub on the quick Greensprings village field. Despite the heat and lack of any defensive subs,
the team dominated defensively and set up numerous excellent opportunities, but failed to finish, including two passing sequences
that beat the goalkeeper but led to misses on easy pass-ins. The team continued to pressure to the end but could never convert.
SYC Galaxy 4 - GHSC Lightning 0
Recap: Initially it appeared that
the long, narrow field with short goals (7' instead of 8') might hurt Galaxy as Michaeline broke through the defense twice
and laid off passes to both Jenny and Marika who took shots that were about 7'6". Gretchen had a shot that hit the goalie
and deflected and stood on the goal line for an eternity (okay, 1.5 seconds) and a GHSC player cleared the ball a half second
before Galaxy players converged at the goal. On the other end, GHSC had a number of throw-ins during the first twenty minutes.
Brittany had one of her best halves as she aggressively fought through the crowd to win three throw-ins tossed into the box.
The defenders played well to avoid further throw-ins. Offensively, Marika broke through to score two goals on assists from
Gretchen and Kelsey (Kelsey's kick to Marika was set up by Jenny, who totally fooled a GHSC player with a nice move; JT was
then blatantly tripped -- opponent received a yellow card and Kelsey took the direct kick). Shortly after, Julia took a pass
from Michaeline and dribbled straight to goal and drilled a left foot shot at the goalie; she took her own rebound and placed
a soft right foot shot into the right corner. Coles (yes Tung, it was Coles), scored our fourth goal when the opponents attempted
to clear a corner. Coles placed the ball just over the defense, into the upper left corner. Despite the rough surface, there
was some excellent passing, including some longer pass sequences in the second half. The team's passing caused GHSC to move
away from attempting to double team and try to just prevent penetrating dribbles and passes.
SYC Galaxy 5 - BETH Havoc 1
Recap: Jenny had two goals and at
least two assists. On the large Bull Run field the team used passing to create lanes to the goal. Marika played the first
half despite a deep thigh bruise and scored two goals while the defense held the opponents scoreless. The midfielders had
chances to score with Morgan, Gretchen, Julia, and Sam each getting shots within inches of the frame. Jenny created at least
one of Marika's first half goals, assisted Eleni's goal and scored two of her own. Jenny broke through the defense twice with
moves and quickness and then chipped the goalie both occasions for her goals. Jenny then beat the defense to create our fifth
goal by taking the Goalie to the left side of the goal and then laying off a ball to Eleni in front of the goal. The defense
was near perfect.
SYC Galaxy 5 - STAF Eagles 1
Recap: Morgan scored the lone first
half goal. Marika added a goal, Jenny had two, and Sam had the fifth goal on a nice passing sequence that left her open on
the far post. She buried Marika's pass. Callan was robbed of a goal. Callan was called offside on a goal she scored from a
beautiful run in which she was both behind the ball and 5 yards behind the last defender when Michaeline slotted a pass to
space ahead of her.
SYC Galaxy 4 - BETH Havoc 1
Recap: Jamie opened the scoring
after Sam stripped the ball from an opponent passed to Jamie as she overlapped on the outside and placed a 45 yard shot over
the goalkeeper. Marika added two goals and Sam added one goal. The team's impressive 9 game shutout streak came to an end.
The weather was absolutely miserable, 42 degrees and raining with a wind-chill of 35. Brittany (GK) and every defender (Whomp,
Amy, Kelsey, Michelle, and Jamie) had a strong game.
SYC Galaxy 0 - RFC United 0
Recap: Because of high school playing
time the prior evening, and exremely rough field conditions, Coach Joe opted to rest 3 of the team's 4 forwards (Marika, Eleni,
and Becca). Jenny played nearly the entire game and created three almost opportunities on the bumpy surface with moves and
nice passes to split the defense for Sam. The RFC goalkeeper was spectacular at reading the play and each time arrived at
the ball before any decent shot could occur. RFC had a similar pass split the Galaxy defensive back line, but Brittany came
out strong to take away the angle and blocked the resulting shot. Both teams defenders were extremely effective.
Tournaments
PWSI Icebreaker Champions (4-0)
Recap: Great performance without
central defenders Angie Rey and Whomp as the team finished their second consecutive tournament without giving up a goal. Michaeline
Nelson and Coles Ide played as the central defenders for most of the tournament. Stellar job by Marika Gray as she scored
7 more goals during the weekend, giving her a total of at least 15 goals in 10 days (she scored the lone goal for Hayfield
High School in their game against highly rated Chantilly High School and the lone goal in Hayfield's 1-0 win over a strong
South County team.). See Notes page for more high school highlights.
Final: SYC Galaxy 1 - TriValley
Eagles, MA 0
Recap: Marika scored the winning
goal on a nice pass from Jenny Taylor which concluded a quick five pass sequence. The midfielders played excellent against
a talented TriValley squad. Callan Elswick and Michaeline Nelson had a huge impact. Both are juniors from the U-18 Nova Premier
Pride (won WAGS Div 1 championship in both Spring and Fall 2005) who have transferred to Galaxy.
SYC Galaxy 2 - Walkill 0 Recap:
Jenny scored on a nice assist from Becca. Marika scored on a slotted pass, and just missed a second goal on a drive off the
top bar. The defense did not allow a goal.
SYC Galaxy 2 - TSC Lady Thunder
0 Recap: This game may be best summed up by the words of a college coach attending, "that's some of the best soccer I've seen;
quick play, excellent skill, good movement off the ball, and tough defense." Although TSC did not win a game in the tournament,
they looked good. It's clear that Denis Krupa has done an excellent job with the team in both improved play and sportsmanship.
A number of TSC players stood out with positive performances.
SYC Galaxy 2 - North Union United
0 Recap: Galaxy missed a half dozen shots with Julia, Jenny, and Marika all missing by inches. Marika finally put Galaxy on
the board. Brittany made a super save to against a United player who timed a perfect run to reach a slotted ball behind the
back line. Marika added another goal to put the game out of reach.
Baltimore Bays March Madness Champions
(4-0)
Recap: Great performance by all
players. The defenders completed the tournament without giving up a goal.
Final: SYC Galaxy 1 - GHSC Lightning
0
Recap: GHSC has a player with a
monster throw-in who can reach far post. In the first half, with the wind, GHSC was able to toss five or six throw-ins deep
into the box, but all were effectively cleared. Marika scored the only goal in the first half while GHSC had a strong prevailing
wind. In the second half, Galaxy had the wind and GHSC never threatened. However, despite constant pressure on GHSC's defense,
the team could not put another ball past the defenders. The Lightning roster changes appear to have made the team faster and
more athletic.
Semi-final: SYC Galaxy 1 - Eastchester
Patriots, NY (east) 0. Recap: Good possession with Gretchen and Sam playing centermid and Jill and Julia on the outsides.
Marika scored the lone goal. The defenders closed down the opponents.
Preliminary Games: SYC Galaxy 2
- Delta FC, MA 0; SYC 2 - SAC Celtic 0. Recap: Very cold and windy. The players maintained possession keeping the ball on
the ground and creating numerous opportunities. Marika showed her athleticism as she scored four goals on the day. Becca set
up two of the goals with great passes and just missed a number of shots, including two one-touch volleys.
