Tuesday, 04 December 2007 07:05

West Pines United Under 18 Girls were crowned champions on Sunday at Norcross Nike Cup in Atlanta, Georgia. West Pines United under-18 girls are the new champions of U18/19 Champions Division of the Norcross Nike Cup held in Atlanta, Georgia over the past weekend. The finals, played against the North Atlanta Premier 88’s produced stellar defensive work resulting in neither team able to break the 0-0 deadlock during regulation play.



Led by goalkeeper Liz Holmberg, defensive players Kayla Johnson, Allison Sapp and Jessica Drew had allowed only one goal to be scored against them throughout the tournament. With overtime play failing to decide a winner, the dreaded penalty shoot-out was next. As North Atlanta wilted under the pressure, missing two of their strikes, Marisa Vargas, Allie Llaneras, Chelsea Mosko and April Perry all scored for West Pines to take the championship with a 4-2 PK victory.

On their quest for the championship West Pines had defeated Athens United Gold 1-0 as strikers Brittany Bucknor, Sara Ruggiero, Tiffany Marshall and U-17 WPU guest player Amanda Saccullo, continuously pressured their opponents throughout the match. A timely strike from Allie Llaneras finally put the game away for West Pines. Later that same day, their second game also ended with a 1-0 victory, this time over the West Metro Freedom from Georgia. Strong mid-field performances from Melissa Malone, Sarah Crow, Mosko, Vargas and Perry provided the backdrop for Broward County’s leading high school goal-scorer Perry to slot home the winning goal.

Following some much needed rest, West Pines returned the following morning to face SMSC Cruzeiro in the final game of group play Allowing the only goal to be scored against them in regulation play, the squad was held to a 1-1 tie by the # 3 ranked team from Tennessee. The result pushed them into the championship match against North Atlanta, the unbeaten winners of the second group.

The performance of the girls was not lost on the many college coaches (80 +), who were in attendance at the event and many were garnering interest from several institutions located throughout the South. With their 2008 Spring graduation rapidly approaching and the high school and club phases of their soccer careers coming to a close, it is hoped that many will soon be making verbal commitments to a number of interested colleges.

Head coach Donovan Bucknor and assistant coach Gary Johnson, deserve all kudos for their tireless work over the years in bringing this team to its present position. Though scattered and playing on over seven different varsity high school teams, members have come together to compete as West Pines United in the Florida State League’s College Prep Division, at last Summer’s Score at the Shore tournament in Greensboro, North Carolina, where they advanced to the quarter-final round, and in the Disney Showcase Qualifier in September where they were beaten semi-finalists. Upcoming events include December’s Orange Classic in Plantation, the Winter Score at the Shore tournament in February 2008 in Tampa and the 2008 Florida State Cup. All are considered College Showcase events.