The Union SC Crimson Tide U-17 girls’ team performed quite well to place third in the US Soccer Club Nationals that were contested July 21-24 at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind.
Union finished 3-1 in four matches and tied for first with its record. The Crimson Tide lost out on tiebreakers for the finals to place third.
Union won both of the matches it played last Friday – July 21 – before falling in the only one it competed in last Saturday – July 22.
Union was scheduled to play the No. 1 team from Maine – Seacoast United – on Sunday, July 23.
In its 3-2 victory over the No. 2-ranked team from Texas – the Lonestars – Kayla Veloso-Lima scored twice and Kayla Miller-People once. Veloso-Lima, Miller-People and Sofia Alves all had assists.
After Union was ahead 3-0, the Lonestars closed the deficit to 3-2 with late second-half goals.
The Texas squad then had a chance to tie the game with less than two minutes remaining when it was awarded a penalty kick. The shot was saved by a fine effort made by Union goalkeeper Sofia Lospinoso.
A 2-0 victory over the No. 5-ranked team from Minnesota – the Revolution Academy – followed. Miller-People scored first for Union and then Veloso-Lima late in the match on a penalty kick. Nicole Alfano eaned an assist on the Miller-People goal.
Union faced the Cleveland Cobras in its third game and was defeated by the score of 3-0.
In winning the Mid-Atlantic Regional championship, Union won all four of its matches – outscoring the opposition 14-5 – including a shutout in the championship game.
Veloso-Lima and Miller-People scored twice each in the title contest, with Lospinoso earning the shutout in goal.
More to come.