October 4, 2007 Issue                                       

©2007 The Chestnut Hill Local

Chestnut Hill Youth Sports Club soccer updates

U14 Girls

The U-14 girls tied Upper Dublin Saturday 2-2. The Lightning got an early lead thanks to midfielder Gabriella Shumacher, who won two challenges to pass the ball on up for a score by Emma Ebert. Kelsey Chapman assisted in that first goal and scored the next on her own. Meanwhile Toni Hall was tenacious on wing, winning the ball again and again and Angela Cascio was equally tough in the back, catching balls with a foot stretched high and wide or locking horns—and actually knocking heads—with the Upper Dublin offense.  The prior week, the U-14 girls ended Lighthouse’s 17-game winning streak, prevailing by a score of 4-3. Emma Ebert scored early with an assist from Kelsey Chapman, who went on to score the second goal with an assist from Toni Hall, as the mist turned to rain. Sarah Thomas showed great skill and endurance, out-maneuvering the Lighthouse defense to score next with a ball between the goalie’s legs. That left the score at 3-2 at the half, with Lighthouse coming back to quickly tie the score. Fans were on tenterhooks through the half, watching the midfield pass balls up to enable strong attempts on the goal by Sammie Clark and Julia Binswanger. Finally Tasmin Lamb booted a ball out of midfield which Kelsey Chapman caught with a left-foot shot that caromed off the goal post to seal a well deserved win.

U12 Girls

The first place U12 girls continued their unbeaten streak for the third week in a row with a 4-2 win over Jeffersonville. Goals by Savanna Caulley, Sophie Martin, and Monica Guest put the girls ahead.  Guest had one assist and one goal, both from her strong corner kicks. The defense was also solid, with Allie Brenman and Lizze McClafferty holding a strong back line. Claire Schmidt and Annika Smith created a lot of ball movement in midfield, and forwards Schyler Nissen and Eliza Farran kept Jeffersonville on their heels for the whole game. Caroline Myran in goal was again strong. The team has scored 14 goals and only allowed 2 so far this season.

U11 Girls

The Chestnut Hill Girls U-11 Travel Team had two wins this past weekend, the first on Saturday against Abington (2-0) and then again on Sunday against MUSC Thunder (2-0). In the Abington game, the Chestnut Hill girls led by Brigit Andersson and Sarah Clothier dominated the field for most of the game, with Sarah Taylor and Riley Brummett scoring a goal each. Goalie Grayson Melby saved five shots on goal from Abington in the second half, including a penalty kick from within the box. In the MUSC Thunder game, the goals were scored by Sophia Linguitti, kicked into goal from a rebound after a shot to the post by Greta Meyer, and Sarah Taylor after a break away. Chestnut Hill players Tori Clarke and Caroline Jones controlled the backfield and shut out the Thunder. In earlier action this season, the U-11 girls gained their first win of the season two weeks ago, defeating Hunter by a score of 3-0. Sophia Linguiti scored the first goal of the season. The offense kept the pressure on with four shots on goal. Allison Biester scored the second goal with a strong assist from Brigit Andersson. The final goal of the game was a shot by Greta Meyer assisted by Sarah Clothier. With Caroline Jones and Tori Clarke dominating the backfield, the defense shut out Hunter. Sarah Taylor played tough all game with several key plays in midfield. Goalies Alig and Melby had a number of great saves with an amazing stop off the cross bar by Melby in the second half.  This past weekend, the U-11 girls lost a difficult game to Buckingham 2-0, despite excellent pressure from forwards Sarah Clothier and Allison Biester, and tough defense by Meghan Tanel, Caroline Jones and Tori Clarke, and a superb effort by goalie Grayson Melby, who made 13 saves.  The first game was a disappointing loss (0-1) against Hunter. The team had 10 shots on goal, including two each by Julia Struzyna, Sophia Linguiti and Riley Brummett. Brigit Andersson controlled the backfield for Chestnut Hill with support from Hannah Baker. The second game went to the Upper Dublin Thrashers 3-0 even though the U-11 girls had a strong first half. Julia Struzyna played hard despite a leg injury in the first half. Defense was led by Meghan Tanel.

U14 Boys

The U14 boys Travel Soccer Team continued to roll as they downed the Philadelphia Soccer Club 2-0 last week to remain undefeated in League play.  The team was led by a strong defense anchored by goalie Ben Krieger and sweeper Gilman Myran.  The defense, which includes Hank Goldenberg, Kyle Espenshade, Randy Beck, Drew Yekel, and Augie Frank, only allowed six shots on goal.  The offense continued to attack, putting 24 shots on goal.  The Blue Lighting had many close chances, including an opportunity created by the hustle of Charlie Taylor that went just wide.  The two goals were assisted by Brian Sachs on a beautiful cross to Diego Sanz de Acedo who drilled it home and a chip shot to Gabriel  Osorio-Soto who beat the goalie with a terrific header.

U13 Boys

Four games into the season, the U13 boys A team has a record of 2-2.  On Saturday, they lost 3-2 on a late goal by Warrington, after rallying to tie the game at 2-2.  Jack Martin scored both goals for the Blue Lightning, the first off an excellent feed from Ethan Rabinowitz and the second following a great individual effort by Will Randall.  The prior weekend, the U13 Boys A team won a hard fought game by a score of 2-0, playing with only two substitutes in 85-degree heat against a physical Parkwood team in Northeast Philadelphia.  Sam Conant netted the first goal on a penalty kick in the first half, and the score remained 1-0 for most of the remainder of the game.  Earning the shutout, Ben Holl made a number of acrobatic saves in goal, aided by aggressive defenders Jaime MacEachern, Sam Rogers, Chuck Lazarus, and Bradford Jones, who each played the entire game and denied numerous scoring chances to the speedy Parkwood forwards.  Outstanding performances were turned in by midfielders Harrison Tracy, Peter Anthony and Will Randall, and the Lightning added an insurance goal with 5 minutes to go after a tremendous rush up the wing by Jack Martin, followed by a perfect cross converted by Peter Ferraro just inside the far post.  In earlier action this season, the Blue Lightning won their opener in convincing fashion, defeating Hulmeville by a 4-1 score, with Jack Martin scoring 2 goals and Philip Kelly and Andrew Garfinkel each adding 1 goal apiece. Will Randall anchored the midfielders and Chuck Lazarus and Jaime MacEachern played strong defense.

U10 Boys

The Chestnut Hill Hammers (U10 Boys) showed tremendous determination and skill to beat the YMS Force (Upper Makefield) 5-0 this past Sunday.  The defense shut out the YMS offense with Malcolm Van Kleunen, Charlie McCooe, Matt Cross, Joey Lawall and Gabe Rogers all outstanding.  Stephen Hamel was once again dominant in goal, raking in any balls that happened into the 18 yard box.   In midfield, Jordan Shepherd Baker, Malcolm Glendinning, Hunter Ferry, Nick Wells and Jack Lamb all played with poise and kept the YMS Force off-balance with constant, well-coordinated attacks.  Upfront Christopher Dalglish created multiple chances.  The final box score showed Jack Lamb with one assist and two goals, Chris Dalglish with two goals and an assist, and Malcolm Glendinning and Hunter Ferry each notching a score.