Next: Warren County United Blue U9 girls soccer team
Thursday, May 08, 2008
The Warren County United Blue U9 girls select soccer team has gotten off to a solid start this spring in its quest to win the Cincinnati United Soccer League First Division championship.
The U9 Blue squad, which finished second in the First Division both last spring and last fall, is 3-1 in regular season play.
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Prior to that, the squad won the Mid-American Soccer Classic in Fairfield, held April 11-13.
The Warren County girls went 2-0-1 in pool play and advanced to the finals where they beat the Lakota Panthers, 2-1.
Hannah Rhodes and Hayley Perry scored the two goals for the Warren County team, with Rhodes being selected the Player of the Match by the opposing coach.
Rhodes' goal came in unusual fashion, as she was assisted by goalkeeper Rebecca Dendinger on a long punt.
"You don't usually see an assist from the goalkeeper," United coach Jerry Dendinger said. "That was one of the more unique things that happened in the tournament.
"It was a good opening weekend for us to win that tournament, and got us ready for league play."
Dendinger and the other United coaches rotated their players into multiple positions, and got contributions across the board.
In addition to Rhodes, Liz O'Connell was named Player of the Match in a victory over Shelby County, and Rebecca Dendinger received the honor in a win over Northern Warren County Alliance and tie with Westside.
The team also got offensive production from Emi Carlo who scored in a couple of games, while Lauren Hester and Natalie White provided outstanding hustle all over the field, with White playing every single position during the course of the tournament.
Defensively, the Warren County squad was led by Erin Kelleher and Natalie Brown, with Kelleher marking up on Lakota's top offensive threat in the championship game.
"The biggest thing we've tried to develop with the girls at this level is their technique with the ball," Dendinger said. "We work on their trapping, passing and when they get the ball on their foot, how to beat somebody one-on-one.
"They've really advanced their skills and have learned how to distribute the ball in games, spread the field and open both passing and shooting lanes."
The girls on the Warren County United Blue team reside in Lebanon, Mason, Maineville, West Chester Twp. and Loveland.
Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4526 or shayes@coxohio.com.
