EPA U17 Boys and Girls Sweep
Region 1 ODP Championships

 

The Eastern Pennsylvania U17 Girls ODP team went 4-0-1 in the 2008 Region-I ODP Tournament to claim the championship title.

The EPA team faced the always-formidable Eastern New York South team in the opening game of the tournament. EPA took a 1-0 lead into halftime but gave up an early goal in the second half before holding off the strong attack of ENYS for the remainder of the game to earn a 1-1 tie.

EPA then went on to defeat Vermont (5-2) and New York West (4-0) in the extreme 100-plus degree heat to advance out of their bracket. In the semi-final game, EPA was matched up against a solid Virginia team. VA scored early on a counter-attack opportunity and carried the lead into halftime. EPA took back control of the game in the second half by playing a very high pressure defense and an aggressive attack. They scored early in the second half on a corner kick to tie the game and again several minutes later to win the game, 2-1.

In the championship game, EPA was matched up against a tough Connecticut team, who won their semi-final game, 2-1, against PA West. EPA went on the scoreboard first with a nice combination play and composed finish. They controlled the flow the game from that point and took the 1-0 lead into halftime. A rejuvenated CT team came out strong in the second half, though, and dominated the first 25 minutes. However, EPA was able to hold off their threatening attack and scored a counter-attack goal in the 28th minute to extend the lead to 2-0, then put the game away in the final minutes of the game with a third and decisive goal to win the Region-I Championship.

Members of the championship team, pictured above, are (front row left to right) Klare Lazor, Addison Markley, Casey Boyer, Danielle Benner, Emily Cota, Brittany Wollner, Kristen Worth, (back row left to right) Ashley Chilcoat, Alex Brandt, Julianne Hubbard, Katie Lenz, Sarah Koptyko, Kendra Jones, Gabbie Pakhtigian, Amber Brooks and Maddie Evans. Other members of the team that are not pictured are Julia Goldsworthy, Carlina Pagano, NaTasha Prentice and Michelle Stevens. The team is coached by Don Overmier, Jeff Ykoruk, Dave Simpson and Brian Callaghan.

Congratulations also to the U17 Region I champion boys!