Local Clubs Resume Development Academy Play

All Four N.E. Teams See Action

March 13, 2008

Connecticut’s Oakwood SC U17/18 squad took the pitch in the US Development Academy for the first time since last month’s Winter Showcase, losing 3-0 to first-place and undefeated BW Gottshee (New York) last weekend.

Oakwood entered the game tied for third place in the Northeast Conference with a record of 1-1-0, after splitting two games at the showcasein Frisco, Texas.

Gottschee opened the scoring in the 26th minute, when Steven Brossard found Quintel Gates in the box for his first goal of the season. Five minutes later, Josh Haberman extended Gottschee’s lead when he recovered the ball from a scramble in the box to unleash a 10-yard shot that found the back of the net. In the 39th minute, Gottschee’s midfield pairing of Greg Mallia and Rich Heredia maintained possession before springing Gates on a through ball for his second goal of the game.

Anchored by Alex George, Tyler Kahn, Mauricio Mora and Kevin Garcia, Gottschee’s defense picked up its third consecutive shutout and dropped its goals-against average to 0.25 goals per game. Nick Costa and Shane Wend split time in goal for the win.

“I am blessed with a strong team that controls the pace of the game well,” said B/W Gottschee head coach John Sprague. “Our lineup likes to create lots of space on the field and teams have trouble defending that. We worked hard this game and our plan worked well.”

Gottschee (3-0-1) will play their first home game next weekend when they host cross-town rival Met Oval (1-2-1), while Oakwood (1-2-0) will look to rebound against New Hampshire’s Seacoast United (1-3-0), which lost to Met Oval and FC Westchester by 1-0 scores last weekend.