Tuesday, June 14th 2011
NJ Valkyries First Franchise Win
Sunday, June 12th
DePaul Catholic HS, Wayne NJ. – The North Jersey Valkyries recorded their first franchise win with a battling 2-1 win over DC United at DePaul Catholic HS in Wayne, NJ. The Valkyries made four changes to the starting line-up, bringing in Jackie Krostek and Gabby Cuevas into the defense, and Alexa Notte and Esmeralda Negron into the midfield. The decision to bring in the two defenders was to prove to be key, as both Krostek & Cuevas had outstanding games.
The game started nervously for the Valkyries as they found it difficult to keep hold of possession. DC pressed high and the pace of their forwards was keeping the home team on the back foot. After a difficult opening period, the Valkyries started to gain confidence and in the 11th minute a sweeping counter-attack saw Ariana Ruela deliver a pacey, inviting cross to the back post, where Alicia Tirelli arrived late to strike a powerful volley. The DC keeper did get two hands on the shot, but the power was too great and the Valkyries took the lead.
Almost immediately from the kick-off DC charged forward, and Valkyries keeper Sarah Volkomer was called into action, making an excellent save, and then pushing another shot onto the crossbar. The rebound fell invitingly to the DC forward however she could not keep the shot down, and to the relief of the home crowd the ball cleared the crossbar. For the next 20 minutes it was a well fought midfield game, with both teams enjoying possession, but not really offering anything going forward.
In the 25th minute a DC Utd cross into the penalty area saw both the DC forward and Volkomer go for the ball in the air, with both players colliding and falling to the ground. Both players looked dazed, and it was Volkomer who would feel the effects of the whiplash challenge just a few minutes later. The game had an ebb-and-flow to it, with some good soccer from both teams. It was not long before the crowd was to be treated to another goal. As the clock showed 28 minutes played, Valkyries captain, Esmeralda Negron picked up the ball in the center of the field, and saw forward Danielle Schulmann’s run across the defensive line. Negron played a neat pass into the channel, Schulmann raced onto the pass and drove to the goal, as the keeper came out, Schulmann took the ball around the despairing keeper, and as the angle tightened and DC United defenders chased back onto the goal-line, she expertly tucked the shot into the corner.
The Valkyries however did not have a chance to enjoy the two-goal lead for long, as just 65 seconds later DC United pulled a goal back. A ball from the center midfielder was met by the DC United forward, and although under pressure from Volkomer, the header crept inside the post. Volkomer again was hit in the challenge and was beginning to find it difficult to shake off the effects of the two challenges. For the remainder of the half, both teams looked to add to the score-line, however neither could find a way through. At the break it was apparent that Volkomer could not continue and with the Valkyries other keeper Liane Maldonado also injured, it was left to outfield player Val Barnhart to step in between the posts. Barnhart’s sister Nicole is a keeper for the WPS Philadelphia Independence, however Val has never received any formal GK training, and has only pulled the gloves on competitively in a handful of games since she was a youth player.
With Barnhart in goal, the Valkyries looked to close out DC and hit them on the counter attack. DC United maintained possession for large periods of the game however the Valkyries defended magnificently, with Krostek and Cuevas in particular thwarting the visitors attacks. The Valkyries came close to adding a third when another cross-field pass was met again by Tirelli, however her pull-back was not anticipated by her team-mates and DC managed to bundle the ball away for a corner. As the game clock ticked down, so the intensity moved up. DC were piling forward, and Barnhart was called into action on a number of occasions, and stood firm every time. With the official indicating just one minute of injury time to be played, DC pushed players forward, looking for the goal that would get them a point. With the time at zero, a long range shot looked destined for the goal, however Barnhart saved her best for last with a great touch to tip the ball onto the crossbar and over for a corner. DC United attacked the cross, but the defense stood firm, however with the coaches and players all asking for the whistle, a free kick was given to DC just 20 yards from goal. Everyone held their breath as DC stepped up, only to put the shot high and wide. That was to be the last action of the game as the referee blew his whistle. Loud applause and cheers rang out as the Valkyries players celebrated not only three points but also their first W-League win.
The Valkyries have picked up 4 points in their opening two games of the 2011, and travel to New Jersey Wildcats on Thursday, June 16, and then away to New York Magic on Saturday, June 18. They will be looking to build on their good start.
