Nov. 16, 2011: Berkeley Prep 6, Chargers 0

The first game of the 2011-12 MD Girls Soccer season kicked off at the Florida Power field on Wednesday, November 16 with the Gold team losing 6-0 to a bigger, more experienced Berkeley Prep team. But the score was hardly the story of the game as the shock for many Chargers in playing their first MD game on a full-size field wore off by the first water break and the defense settled down. Four goals were scored by Berkeley by the water break but none after that before the second half. Goalie Olivia D. stopped 8 of 12 shots on goal, many in spectacular fashion.

In the second half, first-time goalie Jessie J. stepped in and handled 2 of 3 shots on goal -- a dramatic statement by a defense that rapidly learned from the game's start and visibly frustrated the visitors. Berkeley scored its final goal on a corner kick that Jessie initially handled but that ultimately scooted in on a rebound chip shot. Outstanding defensive work in the game was demonstrated by Elizabeth H., Madison H. and Multy O. The Chargers girls managed two shots on goal, both in the final 15 minutes, both by Sam E.

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Shorecrest MD Girls Soccer 3 Indian Rocks Christian 2 (Nov. 30)

In one of its most hard-fought victories in the last four years, the Shorecrest Girls Middle Division Soccer team beat a tenacious squad from Indian Rocks Christian by a score of 3-2 on Tuesday, November 30. The game was remarkable in part for the way the Chargers' shots-on-goal attack changed at the half.

In the first half, the girls managed only one shot on goal, and fortunately it was productive, a point scored by Sophie W. (and assisted by Nicole L.). On the other side of the field in the first half, goalie Olivia D. allowed only one shot to score against the seven shots she stopped.

In the second half, the Chargers' offense came alive. Kendall P. took three consecutive shots on the team's first three possessions (eventually adding two more attempts). Holly M. took a shot on goal, and Sophie W. had two more attempts. Taylor A. made good on two of her six shots, enough to make the difference in the final score. Keeper Olivia D. stopped another five of six shots.

Coming through big on defense in the game were Brandee T. at sweeper and Sage F., who at one point in the second half was like a freight train streaking down the field from a defensive position to overtake an IRC striker on the verge of shooting and stealing the ball from her. The victory increased the MD Girls' record to 3-1.


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Shorecrest MD Girls Soccer 2 St. Stephens 4 (Dec. 8)

There was an upset in the making for the Shorecrest Middle Division Girls Soccer team on Wednesday, December 8, in Bradenton when the Chargers jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in the first half over the previously unbeaten St. Stephen's JV team. Goals by Sophie W. and Taylor A. led the way as the defense was a proverbial Great Wall of China.

But the lead shrank to 2-1 as the half ended, and St. Stephen's gave up shooting from close-in and began taking longer and higher shots on goal. That strategy served it well, delivering three unanswered goals for the St. Stephen's JV girls. It may have been a loss in the end, but the Chargers MD girls could hold their heads up high as the only squad this season to even challenge St. Stephen's. Before Shorecrest, only Berkley Prep had scored a single goal off St. Stephen's; all of its other victories were shutouts.

There were several breakout moments for the Shorecrest defense, including scrappy play by Caitlin B. and Amanda P. and high, booming kicks by Brandee T. and Kylie H. that saved potential goals from scoring and presented fresh opportunities to the offense.

The MD Girls Soccer team's record is now 6-2 (including a forfeit by Cambridge), but the girls are 5-0 against middle school-only teams!


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Shorecrest MD Girls Soccer 5, Keswick Christian 0 (Dec. 7)

The Middle Division Girls Soccer team continued its winning ways on Tuesday, December 7, with a shutout win over Keswick Christian at home. Five different girls scored in the game, beginning with Sydney B. (in the first three minutes), followed by Sophie W. (assisted by Holly M. and Multy O.) in the first half and Kendall P. (assisted by Sophie W. and Olivia R.), Olivia R. and Taylor A. (assisted by Caitlin B.). Additional shots on goal were fired by Kylie H., Laura H., Nicole L. and Cennedi M. Also contributing to the offense were Francesca J., Bailee M. and Olivia D.

On a cold day, the defense was red-hot, stopping all but three balls from reaching keeper Katie J. in the first half and allowing just one in the second half. Defenders who made especially good plays included Brandee T., Amanda P., Victoria V., Camille P., Wendy D. and Sage F. The win was the Chargers' fifth in a row.

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Shorecrest MD Girls 9, Northside Christian 1 (Nov. 19)

In a most unusual feat, the MD Girls Soccer team won its second "mercy rule" game in consecutive days. Less than 24 hours after beating Tampa Prep by a score of 8-0 (Nov. 18), the Chargers retook the softball field and defeated Northside Christian by the same margin, 9-1 on Nov. 19.

Scoring was led by Sophie W. with three (she leads the team with six goals in the team's first three games) and Camille P. with two. Also earning points were Kendall P., Kylie H., Nicole L., and Taylor A. In all, there were 18 shots on goal, including two each by Holly M. and Bailee M and one by Olivia R. The coaches gave "aggression points" to Bailee M., Holly M. and Camille P. for raising the quality of their offense and attack.

On the defensive side, the Chargers continued their stingy ways, with goalies Olivia D. and Katie J. rarely even handling the ball. Caitlin B., Multy O., Sydney B., Wendy D., Laura H., Sage F., Victoria V. and Brandee T. were in complete control of the backfield.

The Chargers outscored their opponents in week one, 18-5, for a 2-1 record.

Photos by Nikki McQueen

Shorecrest MD Girls 1, Out of Door Academy 4, Nov. 16, 2010

The Middle Division Girls Soccer squad opened its 2010-2011 season on the road in Sarasota at Out of Door Academy, losing 4-1 on Tuesday, November 16.

Despite the lopsided score, the game had plenty of good news for the future. Katie J. played a perfect first quarter in goal, coming back on defense late to support Olivia D., who had never played an official game in goal before. Olivia made an impressive debut in the position, stopping nine shots on goal, many times bringing her teammates on the bench to their feet, cheering.

Sophie W. scored the Chargers' only goal after the first half, tightening the score to 2-1, where it remained until the last few moments when the Thunder launched two rockets into the goal. Taylor A. and Kendall P. each had a shot on goal; multiple offsides calls against Shorecrest short-circuited several scoring drives.

Other highlights included Amanda P. taking charge of the defense and preventing several shots from scoring. The defense and midfield included some excellent play by rookies including Laura H., Wendy D., Sage F., Victoria V., Sydney B., Nicole L. and Camille P.