June 08, 2011
The deadline for submitting sports copy is 9 a.m. on Mondays. We prefer email (howardcountysports@patuxent.com). We do not accept results by phone. When two Howard County teams play, players from both teams (first and last names) must be mentioned in the write-up. Questions? Call 410-332-6578.
Soccer
Soccer Association of Columbia travel
The SAC Bulldawgs (U-9 boys) defeated their rival cousin, United Barca, 2-1, on the final day of the season. It was a particularly exciting game not only for the rivalry, but for the thrilling demonstration of skills and tactics both teams have learned over the past season.
The scoring started with a wonderful attacking run into the box by Bulldawg defender Noah Milak and was finished by his bad angle strike into the back corner of the net. The second Bulldawg goal came from a blazing counter-attack which found Nolan Westlake free on the left side. He struck an unsaveable left-footed shot just under the crossbar.
The Bulldawg defense and midfield controlled the flow of the game despite dangerous attacking runs from Barca's Milan Gupta, Aidan Louden and Sharif Youssef.
The Bulldawgs' defensive game plan was well executed by Spencer Citro,Shane O'Brien, Noah Milak and Duvall Dickerson-Evans. Meanwhile Tyler Hopkins, Charlie and Anthony DiPino kept Barca's defense busy with clever attacking play. In addition, the Bulldawgs' goalkeeper, Davis Arnold, was at his best, saving point-blank shots and a penalty given during the last minute of the match.
The SAC U-13 Girls Premier ended their season in Washington Area Girls Soccer, arguably one of the top leagues for girls youth travel soccer in the United States, at the top of the table with a record of 7-1-1. They won their final game against SYA FCV from Virginia, 2-1. Nia Dorsey scored within in 5 minutes of the opening whistle to give SAC the 1-0 lead.
After a hard-fought battle, SYA converted on a free kick that barely passed goalkeeper Devon Bodziony. The rest of the game was back and forth with many chances from both teams. In the final 10 minutes, Jessie Hopkins cleanly one-touched a ball out of the air to Dorsey who swerved through three SYA defenders to slot the ball by the opposing keeper to secure the 2-1 victory.
It was a long season riddled with injuries, forcing SAC to occasionally play without a full 11 on the field for half a game. The team's only loss was a forfeit on Saturday due to numerous injuries and player conflicts. SAC's roster includes Bodziony, Ann Bonner, Nia Crump, Dorsey, Brynn Drury, Rachel Feliu, Jen Giles, Kate Glaros, Hopkins, Rachel Lazris, Rebekah Markovitz, Kenzie Schulze, Zoe Smedley, Danni Steigerwald and Casey Summerson.
Thunder Soccer Club travel
The TSC Siafu (12-U Premier girls) won the Columbia Invitational Memorial Day Tournament defeating the Baltimore Bay Sharks '99 Blue, 4-0, for the title. The 12-U girls bracket boasted some of the top teams from both Maryland and Virginia.
Siafu got off to a slow start with a 2-2 tie against a quality Freestate Fireballs club but then gained momentum in the tournament with a 3-2 victory over Virginia-based Beach FC.
On the second day of the tournament the Siafu continued their upward spiral with a 4-1 victory over the AC Norfolk Samba.
Based on an outstanding effort by goalie Jade Wilkins, stifling defense by Yuliza Argueta, Tara Riebau and Brianna Starr and dominant offense by Kinlee Bruns, Ashley Ensor, Victoria Hall, Sofia Harrison, Annie Hudec, Katie Pollack and Dana Reed, the team won the tournament in convincing fashion with a shutout of the Baltimore Bays Sharks.
This Columbia Invitational tournament championship capped a strong season for the Siafu team, who also defended their crown as champions of the prestigious Jefferson Cup Soccer Tournament.
Volleyball
Columbia Volleyball Club travel
The CVC Storm (15 National travel team) finished second at the Happy Volley Championship held at Penn State May 28-30. Members of the team are Lexi White-Torruellas, Mallory Baldwin, Lindsey Scepura, Krista Pecenka, Emily Bowman, Jessie Link, Kristen Ritchie, Emme Petti, Meg Ross and Kristen Flint.
Softball
Western Howard County Fever travel
The Western Howard County U-13 Fever won the 14-U Division Crab Claw Classic held May 21- 22 in Hughesville, MD. The event was an ASA B Qualifier. The team posted a 6-0 record over the weekend and earned their fifth national berth of their 2010-11 campaign.
Offensively, the team was on fire, producing many runs through disciplined at-bats and aggressive base running. The defense was fearless in carrying out their work both individually and as a team.
Behind the plate, Abby Zalucki was successful in her efforts to keep runners from advancing on steal attempts. The outfielders, including Quinn Allee-Press, Courtney Colosimo, Kayla Devin and Morgan O'Bryhim, were ready for any ball that came their way, thwarting every opponent's attempts to get a rally going.
The infielders, including Kallan Dirmeyer, Nellie Hines, Kinsey Johnson, Sharon Mielke and Claire Swan, were consistent and made numerous clutch plays over the weekend.
The pitching delivered by Quinn Allee-Press, Courtney Colosimo and Sabrina Curtiss was simply stupendous. Every player contributed to the outcome by playing with both their head and hearts.
