Super Y-League Week Twelve Update
The Richmond Kickers U17 boys’ Patrick Innes named SYL Player of the Week
Tuesday, June 12
TAMPA – The South Atlantic Division of United Soccer Leagues Super Y-League took center stage this past weekend by opening regular season play with a cluster of games between Triangle FC and the Richmond Kickers. The Kickers ultimately won the seven game war but not without losing a battle.
The Richmond Kickers Technical Director and USL Second Division midfielder Ihor Dotsenko, who is preparing to play in tonight’s U.S Open Cup Match with the 2006 PDL Champion Michigan Bucks, serves the Kickers organization on several levels.
“The professional team is a good opportunity for the kids in our youth system to have something to strive towards,” said Dotsenko Tuesday morning. “Having the professional players as coaches allows the guys to see they have quality leadership. It is very tangible for them to watch us play and then interact with us as their coach the next day. It is important for us to be good role models for them.”
Dotsenko has logged 156 minutes in four appearances this season with the 6-0-2 Kickers. The only downside to their 2006 Second Division Championship season was their performance in the U.S. Open Cup. They lost in the second round 1-0 to the USL PDL club Carolina Dynamo.
“The team is really focused on tonight’s game because we know it is not going to be an easy match,” said Dotsenko. “In the back of our heads we know we dropped a game to a PDL club last season. That was a tough way to get kicked out of the tournament. The guys are all ready to play.”
The aspirant youth following of the USL Second Division Kickers got at least a 4-1-1 jump on their club record for the 2007 season.
The first of the four highlight matches was between the clubs’ U13 girls. The match began at 1 p.m on Saturday, June 9 at Richmond’s Dorey Park.
Julia Manchester landed the lone goal of the match in the second half for visiting Triangle FC. The goal was held up by the strong play of Triangle’s defense, they subsequently began their 2006 Super Y-League campaign 1-0.
“Our U13 girls played well,” said Dotsenko, the team’s Technical Director. “They lost a tough one but they were missing some of their top players to other commitments. Once we get that team gelled, they will be one of our top options to qualify for the North American Finals. Winning is a byproduct for us though, the finals is a goal for all our teams but player development comes first.”
From there on out, the Kickers won the battles.
Dotsenko’s U17 boys, for which he serves as the head coach, took a 3-1 decision from Triangle. Goal scorers in the match for Richmond were: Evan Slusser and Patrick Innes. Innes netted two of the three, the top performance of the Super Y-League for Week 12. Teammate Jordan Clark added an assist on the day. The lone goal for Triangle in the loss was put through by Taylor Layton.
“Patrick [Innes] is a target forward,” said Dotsenko. “He is a natural goal scorer who holds the ball well up top and finishes the chances he is given.”
“His first goal on Saturday was from nearly 50 yards out,” added Dotsenko. “A poor clearance from their goal keeper came to Innes and he chipped the keeper who was caught off his line. His second came from just inside the box. He got into a good position and just slotted the ball into the corner.”
The U15 match of this series was held in conjunction with the U17 game on a nearby field at the sprawling Dorey Park. Richmond slipped by Triangle 2-1 in this portion of the mêlée. The hero of this match was Vittorio Lauretano, who netted a goal and an assist coming off the bench. Russell Bootwright scored the goal on the pass from Lauretano. Cristo Briceno beat Richmond keeper Brenden Doyle for the only Triangle goal.
The final match of the day, between the clubs’ U14 boys, also ended with a 2-1 score line. Richmond struck first at home, a goal by forward James Lawrence in just the sixth minute. Triangle FC answered in the 45th minute, a timely strike by Alexander Deli just before the half but Richmond returned from halftime, taking Triangle again by surprise, scoring just five minutes into the second half. The second goal was provided by Karl Braun. The Kickers Angelo Fracassa and Cameron Clark provided the assists on the day.
Draws from here on out, in the coast-to-coast Super Y-League.
Out west, in Northern California U13 boys’ action, De Anza drew Cal Odyssey on the road 2-2. Supporting the home-standing Odyssey with two goals was Omar Flores. Splitting up the scoring duties on the De Anza side of the ball – Brendan Ruiz and Marc Pelosi found the back of the net. The draw improved De Anza’s chances of qualifying for the North American Finals by a point. The club continues to lead the U13 boys division with 17 points, four above the second place Mustang SC, whom they also drew 1-1 this past Sunday. The Cal Odyssey stands fourth in the league table but remain unbeaten at 3-0-2.
Remaining in the Western Conference of the Super Y-League, Victoria United drew the Abbotsford Mariners 1-1 in U16 girls’ action Sunday. The visiting United side took a 1-0 lead in the 32nd minute on a goal from Hannah Lise. She was assisted on the goal by Melissa Orton. The Mariners came level in the 66th minute on a goal by forward Kimberly Jensen. She picked up a helper from fellow forward Caitlin Hall. Both sides are chasing the division leading Washington Crossfire who holds a sizable lead over the rest of the division and a record of 5-1-0.
Finishing up with the same U16 girls division back in the Mid Atlantic, the South Jersey Barons posted two goals in each half only to give away the same amount of goals to the opposition. The Barons tied Southern Maryland FC 2-2 on Sunday. Courtney Mack and Erin Saia put up the two goals for Southern Maryland. They were helped by an assist from Hannah Smith. Lindsay Garbowski and Nicole Kuhar finished for the visitors. Southern Maryland is currently 1-1-1, they play tomorrow at Hockessin. The South Jersey Barons are 2-0-1 and face the New York Magic on Sunday, June 17.
