SoccerPlus Turns Tide Red

Reds Down Maine, 3-0

June 23, 2008

The SoccerPlus CT Reds remained undefeated, beating the Maine Tide, 3-0, Sunday afternoon at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium to improve their sterling record to 8-0.

Still missing coach Tony DiCicco, midfielder Becky Edwards and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher to the U-20 World Cup Qualifying matches in Mexico, the Reds’ had no problem handling the Tide.

The Reds broke the deadlock score in the 28th minute with a goal from Brooke Knowlton. Midfielder Amanda DaCosta played a low cross to Knowlton who slide the ball into the low left-hand corner. The Reds’ continued the attacking pressure and remained strong on defense.

In the 42nd minute midfielder Kristy Zurmuhlen received the ball at the top of the arc and struck the ball hard over Tide goalkeeper Vanessa Peters. The ball struck the crossbar and the Tide was able to counter and create a chance in their final third. However the ball went over the top of the net.

In the 71st minute Knowlton beat three Tide defenders and was taken down in the box. Graczyk netted the penalty shot to put the Reds up 2-0.

The Reds scored again in the 74th minute. Knowlton dribbled past two defenders in the box, causing the Tide goalkeeper Peters to come off her line to play the ball. Cutting the ball back, Knowlton beat Peters and found the back of the net.

The Reds continued the pressure with shots from Blayney and Knowlton. Reds’ defense remained strong in the defensive end allowing few Tide scoring chances.

“We did not play Reds’ soccer today,” said coach Lisa Cole. “We tried to jam balls down the middle of the field instead of playing possessing and playing quick balls. However, we created enough chances to make it a 3-0 game.”

“What is great about this team is anybody can step up and play for us,” said Knowlton. “Hopefully we will have a successful rest of the season.”

Knowlton had two goals in the Reds’ 3-0 win over the Tide and also had two goals in the 5-0 win over the Mass Stingers on Friday Night giving her four goals over the weekend.

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