Tuesday, June 7th 2011
NJ Valkyries earn point on the road
Saturday, June 4th
CY Donnelly Stadium, Long Island , NY. – The North Jersey Valkyries kicked-off their 2011 season away to the Long Island Rough Riders who had started their campaign in fine form, winning their first two games 3-0 & 4-0 against NJ Rangers and New York Magic respectively.
The Valkyries starting line-up consisted of 9 debutants however it took them just 10 minutes to produce the opening goal of the game, and the first goal of the season for the Valkyries. A strong challenging header in midfield by Gina DeMaio saw the ball move to the edge of the Rough Riders penalty area where Liana Abrue won another aerial challenge. The ball dropped and Valkyries forward Danielle Schulmann volleyed from 18 yards out.
It was a great goal, and a great start for the Valkyries. The game settled into a pattern of both teams trying to keep possession in the humid conditions, probing passes, and link-up play. It was an enthralling game, with both sets of players working extremely hard to close down and not give too many clear chances away. When chances did come both keepers did a great job, with Valkyries GK Sarah Volkomer making two very good saves to keep the score at 1-0.
However with less than a minute remaining in the half, Long Island drew level when their forward was played through and she hit a low drive into the left hand corner. The official brought the half to a close shortly afterwards.
The second half started at the same tempo as the first, as neither team looked like making mistakes in the defensive third. It was to be the Valkyries who found the breakthrough, and once again Danielle Schulmann was the architect. Latching onto a Julie Vadja through ball, Schulmann spun her mark, and ran 15 yards with the ball before unleashing an unstoppable shot from 20 yards out.
The goal invigorated the Valkyries and they pushed on for a third, with opportunities falling toSchulmann, Negron (two) and a 35 yard shot from DeMaio which grazed the top of the crossbar. With Vajda going down with cramp in the 88th minute, the officials indicated three minutes of injury time. The added on time was to hurt the Valkyries as Long Island pushed forward and with just 90-seconds left on the clock Rough Riders captain Suzie Weber scored from 20 yards with a crisp half volley.
The Valkyries first win was stolen from their grasp, however gaining a point is a good start to
the season, and something the team will certainly look to build upon.
