The Elite opened their spring season by capturing the tournament championship of the Reddan Spring Shootout played in Verona/Madison on May 12-13. The girls went undefeated in the tournament with four wins, all by shutout scores.
The girls opened the tournament in fine fashion with a 5-0 pasting of the New Berlin Cheetahs. The girls played well in their first outdoor game, generally controlled the pace, the ball, and the score. Everybody played well, especially Jessie who recorded a hat-trick by scoring three times. The second game was against the BSA Cometz from Bettendorf, Iowa. Although the Elite were faster and more athletic, the Iowa team was large and tough, and proved to be a viable opponent. Haley found the back of the net mid-way through the second half, following a flury of activity in front of the Cometz goal. Her shot turned out to be the lone score for the game, and held up for a 1-0 win. The girls didn't play quite as well or as focused in the second game, but still found a way to win, get that "W", which is what good teams do.
On Sunday, the girls put together back-to-back solid performances in identical 4-0 wins over the familiar Spring City Storm and FC Milwaukee teams. The semi-final versus the Storm was totally controlled by the Elite, with ball control evident through-out. The girls scored early to jump out to a quick 1-0 lead, but the game was close until a flury of scoring early in the second half put the game away. Alyssa played well and scored often, overcoming a painful blister on her foot (new shoes?) to notch a hat-trick. The championship game versus FC Milwaukee was never in doubt as the Elite jumped ahead quickly and maintained the lead throughout. Head Coach Robin complimented Catie on playing a great game.
The defense was solid throughout the tournament, with none of the four opponents really threatening to score, or for that matter, getting any clean shots on goal. In fact, the Elite GK's Anne and Katie did not have to make any official saves, and only touched the ball a couple of times the entire weekend.
The Elite continued their winning ways by bringing home the tournament championship of the MK A/B Select Tournament played at the Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee on May 3-4. Just like Reddan, the girls went undefeated in the tournament with four wins, all by shutout scores.
On Saturday, the girls defeated the Appleton Flame 2-0, and the Whitefish Bay Blast 5-0. Two more shutouts on Sunday with a 3-0 win over the LCU Eclipse, and a 2-0 win over the Cedarburg Strikers.
Ball control was evident throughout the tournament. There were stretches where the girls spread the field well and pinged the ball around nicely. The ball rarely crossed midfield into our defensive half. The Elite GK's only touched the ball a couple times, and did not have to make any saves. The 2-0 win over Cedarburg was also gratifying since the team was missing four players.
Click here to visit their team website.