If the old saying is true: “All’s well that ends well,” then Rene Tadal’s U17 Rochester Jr. Rhinos erased all the misery of their 2007 Upstate New York Premier League season. Buoyed by the momentum of their recent success North-of-the-Border the Rhinos finished the season with a victory – Eh!
Amanda ‘Put Some Espresso in Her Cup Of’ Coffey ripped a laser beam under the crossbar from eighteen yards away, and the Jr. Rhinos topped the Syracuse United FC by the score of 2-1.
It was all too fitting that Coffey’s blast was the result of relentless play by the team’s midfield. Kristin Blair won a loose ball at midfield and advanced with a pair of nifty cutback moves before she fed her open teammate.
When it wasn’t Blair dictating tempo in the middle, Kasey Welch took care of business. The fierce play of the Byron-Bergen star kept her opponents on their heels all evening. Welch created a number of opportunities for teammates. She led Jordan Pringle with a beautiful pass that required a slide tackle by a Syracuse defender to thwart the threat. Abbey Gotham also got an open shot as a result of Welch’s work.
The tireless play of Ellie Hamilton, Bre Smith, Maura Wojak, and Kelly Daly created a series of corner kicks for the Rhinos.
With Coffey delivering the crosses, the Rhinos kept the pressure on. Jess Graus had her usual chances and sent one chance just wide. Coffey tried to tuck one corner by the inside post. Cece Gotham deftly flicked the ball over head to Emily Wyse whose shot was deflected by the United goalie.
With their coach shouting words of encouragement and stomping his feet, Graus, Jess Jones, and Leah Wilklow were not to be denied. After a Syracuse goal late in the first half, the defensive unit stiffened and held on for the victory.
On the one occasion the Syracuse forwards slipped through, but ‘AT’ Taylor was there to make a spectacular pair of saves. ‘AT’ stuffed a breakaway attempt and scooped up the loose ball to preserve the win.
Blair staked the Rhinos to the lead in the first. The Newark star drilled a shot from outside the eighteen yard box to give Tadal’s troop a one nil lead.
Congratulations on a rewarding season![youtube=https://youtube.com/watch?v=OHNeRjC4nJw]
Drusilla Peyton-Taylor says
Paul,
Thank you so very much for using your gift of “putting pen to paper”, to publish the Rochester Junior Rhinos GU17 Green Team 2006-2007 season.
I am sure I am not speaking for myself when I say that your writings had become one of the many highpoints of the season!
May you continue to be blessed in all your future endeavors.
Drusilla Peyton-Taylor
RJR GU17 Green Team Manager