Region A Cup Preliminary Round
The WFSC U12 Premier Girls road to FYSA Region A Cup was a competitive affair. In the preliminary rounds the Fury where drawn against Boca United, Miami Lakes and Plantation Eagles in a very difficult group.
Game 1 was against Boca United and saw the Fury defeated 2-1. The pressure was now on the Fury to win both of their remaining games in order to advance and they faced Miami Lakes who where in the same situation. Having gone 1-0 up the Fury found themselves 2-1 in the second half. Knowing they needed a win they raised their game to not only find the equalizer but also the winning goal to come away with a deserved 3-2 victory.
The final preliminary game was against Plantation Eagles and it was winner takes all affair. The Fury took the lead against the wind but the Eagles kept pushing for a goal to tie the game up and it came just before half time. In the second half the Eagles came out strong and took a 2-1 lead into the final quarter after the Fury has missed a PK to tie it up. With 15 minutes left and in must win situation the girls gave everything they had a attacked the Eagles defense. With 8 minutes to go it paid off. Rachel Swadlow skillfully beat two players and tucked the ball into the corner. With the momentum in their favor the Fury won the ball directly from the restart and attacked, the ball broke loose and Taylor Moody hit a rocket into to the top corner to put the Fury 3-2 ahead. 2 goals inside a minute, unbelievable! The Fury advanced to play the winners of Parkland and Doral in the semi final.
Region A Cup Semi Final.
With Doral causing an upset and defeating Parkland in the quarter final the Fury faced a Doral team who where on a roll and playing with great confidence. However the semi final was masterfully played by the girls who where always in control. The final score was 2-0.
Region A Cup Final
The final was against West Pines who had blown out their opponents in their quarter final and semi finals and where clearly the favorites to go on and represent Region A at Presidents Cup in Pensacola. The Fury had other ideas!!
Having trained hard all week the girls new what the game plan was and having lost the coin toss they found themselves against a very strong wind in the first half. That did not stop Megan Pivacco though who within seconds of the game kicking off found the ball at her feet and facing an opponent, she took her and struck the ball beautifully into the far corner to put the Fury ahead after only 23 seconds! The lead was stay in tact until the mid point of the second half. West Pines where pushing hard and had the momentum and tied the game up to take the match into golden goal extra time.
The pressure of golden goal did not faze the Fury they stuck with their game plan and continue to move the ball well and create opportunities. Jawni Vidal then found Rachel Swadlow who had been outstanding all game as the lone forward with a through ball that was bouncing in the box. But despite Swadlow being under pressure from a defender and advancing goal keeper she volleyed home the winner to secure the Region A Championship for the Fury for the second year in a row!
WFSC Head Coach Alan Foy Said "We are very delighted with this group of girls. They have worked hard all year as an age group and it is a great achievement to win Region Cup in such a competitive region. We should not forget that this was an age group effort and all of the players have contributed to this success, even those we where unable to roster.
