Florence Flashes - Spring 2004 Soccer

Date	Score	Notes
March 7, 2004	Florence 3 Deptford 0	The Flashes kicked-off the Spring 2004 season in fine fashion by defeating Deptford, on the road, 3-0. The girls replaced their basketball high-tops with cleats and appear to have not missed a beat as both the offense and defense performed their respective jobs without any problems. Deptford certainly had their scoring chances, but Keeper Katie Antolic had a huge game in goal, including stopping a PK. She also had her usual few acrobatic saves including a screamer that she jumped for and punched over the top of the goal. The offense was in stride for most of the game as April Hatcher (assisted by Chloe Bercaw), Sam Weer, and Chloe all tallied for the Flashes.
March 28, 2004	Florence 5 Millville 1	After playing the first 30 minutes on the defensive side of their field, the Flashes exploded for 3 goals in the final 10 minutes of the first half en route to a 5-1 victory over Millville. Keeper Katie Antolic kept the Strikers out of the net with her usual dramatic flair and aggressive play allowing her offense to settle in and take over the tempo of the game. Sam Weer started the scoring fest by scoring off a nice direct kick from Ashley Nyul. Sam got the best of the keeper who aggressively challenged her on the play. Two additional goals followed quickly after fullback Brittany Spence sent a deep kick from her defensive side to April Hatcher who crossed it beautifully to Katelyn Steffen who deposited it in goal. Chloe Bercaw got in on the scoring with the first of her 2 goals by sending a kick from outside the 18 off the head of a Millville defender. The second half started on a good note with 2 additional quick goals. The first by Chloe again with a scorcher from outside the 18 and then April who chipped in the final goal with a well placed shot from deep in her corner. Katelyn Steffen added an assist in the second half to go along with her goal in the first half. Sam Eib relieved Katie Antolic in goal for the final 20 minutes of the game, not allowing any goals against.
April 18, 2004	Florence 6 Deptford 1	After a long, 3-week "bad weather and holiday" break from soccer, the Flashes picked-up where they left off by soundly defeating visiting Deptford 6-1. The weather was sunny and hot and the Flashes only had 1 substitute. However, the girls' conditioning paid off as they put forth a great effort with 10 players getting in on the 6 goals. Carly Blanton started the scoring as she picked-up her first goal of the season unassisted from approximately 30 yards out. Sam Weer then scored as she literally out-hustled her defender on a nice, deep in-bounds pass from fullback Brittany Spence. Sam then set-up the next goal by Ashley Nyul with a smooth pass from right side. Katie Steffen had a left-footed tap-in goal from a Sam Eib assist that got behind the Keeper. Kiara Boone came out of the backfield to score on a nice forward pass from center mid-fielder Chloe Bercaw. Jackie Miller completed the scoring with her first goal of the season after a beautiful right wing pass from Ashley Nyul. Keeper Kaitlyn Antolic was her usual confident self in goal and has only allowed 2 "goals against" this season. Sweeper Stefanie Bulleck controlled the defense in front of Kaitlyn as the defenders shut-down the "Demolition's" offense. Mercedes Bonsanto, the youngest player on the team, saw a lot of action in the game and filled in nicely on offense. The Flashes improve to 3-0 on the season.
April 25, 2004	Florence 2 TBAA 2	Sam Weer scored one and assisted on the other goal as the Flashes came home with a 2-2 tie vs. the TBAA Parrotheads. Ashley Nyul got the Flashes even on a nice feed from Sam after the Parrotheads got on the board first very early in the game. Windy and cold conditions made for a tough long-ball and throw-in game, but a small field allowed Keeper Kaitlyn Antolic to punt out well beyond the mid-field line to Sam Weer who beat her defender to give the Flashes a 2-1 lead, which they held onto through 70 minutes of the match. A well-placed upper corner blast from a TBAA forward tied the game late and the Flashes had 2 great scoring chances in the final 5 minutes. A tie is a point and the girls were happy to come away with one given the tough playing conditions. The Flashes improve to 3-0-1 and await the results of the weekend's matches to determine first place in the conference.
May 1, 2004	Florence 3 Moorestown 3	A home and home weekend series saw the Flashes and Moorestown Crushers meeting 2 times in as many days. Saturday's game was a game of many, many missed opportunities and one that should have been won by the Flashes despite a strong effort by the Crushers' goalkeeper who came in the second half to shut-out the Flashes. The teams traded leads in the first half with the score tied 3-3 at the break. Ashley Nyul had a big game with a goal and 2 assists. Sam Weer tallied the Flashes first goal to even the score and Jackie Miller gave the Flashes their only lead of the game with her goal making it 2-1. Throughout the second half Florence continually pressed the Crushers' defense and peppered their keeper with shot after shot, including point blank shots from the 6, 12, and 18-yard marks that were either right at the keeper, wide, or over the goal. The shots continued right down to the last minute, but just couldn't find their way into the net. The Flashes were happy to come away with a tie and a point against an opponent who gave them a tough afternoon on both sides of the ball.
May 2, 2004	Florence 3 Moorestown 0	The Flashes picked up a 3-0 victory in the second meeting on Sunday vs. Moorestown. The Flashes and Crushers have met 6 times over the last four seasons with the Flashes having the edge with 3 wins (including a forfeit), 2 ties, and 1 loss. The stormy weather held out even through threatening skies appeared early in the game as the coaches and parents hoped that it wouldn't be another rainout between the teams. Sam Weer had a big game with 2 goals (including a header into the net), as did Katie Steffen, who assisted on both goals in the first half. Chloe Bercaw's strong, reliable kicking game resulted in the Flashes 3rd goal in the second half as she blasted one from the right side of the field, 30 yards out, to the upper left corner of the goal. The Flashes remain undefeated and improve to 4-0-2 with 14 points to share at least first place in the conference.
May 9, 2004	Florence 4 Millville 2	Ashley Nyul recorded a hat trick and assisted on another goal by Sam Weer as the Flashes jumped on the Millville Strikers 4-0 before allowing a few goals late in the second half en route to a 4-2 Mother's Day victory. It was a long road trip down to Millville and the weather was warm and sunny as the Flashes came prepared with an impressive offense. All positions were clicking today with accurate passing and sound defense much to the delight of the coaches and parents. Assists were recorded by Katie Steffen and Carly Blanton who both had good days offensively. The Flashes defense (Brittany, Kiara, and Stefanie) all had a great game as they kept the Strikers off sides and off balance most of the day. Sam Eib started the game in goal keeping the Strikers out of net until Kaitlyn Antolic came in to shut down all but 2 of the opponent's offensive opportunities. The Flashes improve to 5-0-2 and remain in first place in the conference with 17 points.
May 15, 2004	Florence 2 TBAA 1	The Flashes and the TBAA Parrotheads played a huge game today as a make-up to a previous rain-out. First place was on the line today and it was very hot and humid. The determined Parrotheads played an aggressive first half and took the lead 1-0 into half-time. However, as is the case in a lot of games, the physical conditioning of the Flashes proved the difference as Florence came storming back in the second half to score 2 goals and win the game to remain in sole possession of first place in the conference. Goals were tallied by Ashley Nyul and the game-winner by Carly Blanton at the 75 minute mark. Assists were recorded by Chloe Bercaw and Sam Weer. The Flashes play again on Sunday and hope for a victory to clinch the conference title.
May 16, 2004	Florence 6 Barrington 0	The Flashes picked up their 50th victory as a travel team and also clinched their 3rd consecutive conference title by soundly defeating Barrington today 6-0. Goals were recorded by Ashley Nyul, Katie Steffen (2), Carly Blanton (2), and Sam Weer. Assists were picked-up by Brittany Spence, Sam Weer (2), Chloe Bercaw, Katie Steffen, and Jackie Miller. While the Barrington White Lightning did not have a full roster, they came to play and stayed with the Flashes through the first half. Keeper Kaitlyn Antolic recorded her 3rd shutout of the season and saw a lot of action as the opponents never gave up. The Flashes remain undefeated at 7-0-2 and look to close out the season next weekend in a make-up game vs. Barrington.