Game Stories 2002-2003 | Game Stories 2003-2004
Game Stories 2003-2004
LEAGUE PLAY
Game 9 (Nov. 15) - United Quest vs Metro North - Quest Girls Overwhelm Metros, Win 5-0 to Solidify Athena A Standing
United Quest, eager to follow their mid-week draw against league leading Norcross Gold with another good result, came out of the gate fast on Saturday against a scrappy Metro North side and dominated the entire match. Much to Metro North's credit, they managed to hang tough against what appeared to be the better organized and superior side, and found themselves down by just one goal at the interval against a surging Quest attack. United benefitted from a tremendous free kick by midfielder Andrea Sikora who drove the ball over the Metro wall from about 24 yards out to beat the scrambling keeper high and away and just under the bar. Although United mounted several impressive assaults on the Metro goal, they would carry that free kick goal into half-time as the only reward for their excellent, collective efforts. The Metro girls played very well for most of the match, but could not solve United's defensive presence, nor could they keep possession through the midfield. With the ball repeatedly given back to the United attack, it was not long after the restart that Quest tallied their second of the day. Forward Amanda Masters ran onto a speculative pass into the left flank and with two nice moves positioned herself for a very nice strike to the far post that again beat the Metro keeper. With their second goal coming just a few minutes into the second half, Quest seemed energized to expand their defensive pressure through the entire formation. They quickly pushed their restraining line forward deep into the Metro North defensive third. With the visitors being hurried into awkward clearances, and with every ball being challenged, United continued to dominate possession. Midfielder Carolyn Craddock eagerly took advantage of a compressed defense when she spotted a well-timed, weak-side run and launched a nicely-weighted cross from the left side that switched the attack and put her teammate in on the Metro keeper. Midfielder Meagan Dilbeck, who had overlapped the forward positions with her right flank run, got to the ball just before the charging keeper, who had committed to making the stop in the absence of defensive help, and struck it low and hard. Despite a very decent challenge by the Metro goalie, her shot managed to squirt through and bounce into the net for United's third goal. The Quest girls got their fourth goal as a result of their continuing, relentless offensive pressure and an unyielding commitment to team defense. With midfielders and forwards working hard defensively, Metro could barely move the ball forward, and one attempt to play the ball negatively out of pressure turned disastrous for them when an intended back pass surprised their unlucky keeper and passed her on its way to the twine. The "own goal" pushed United's lead to 4-0, but they weren't done yet. More pressure on the Metro goal resulted in a scramble at the top of the penalty area, a couple of failed clearances, and a half chance of a shot that the keeper saved, but unfortunately bobbled momentarily, just long enough for an opportunistic Katelyn Wilkinson to run onto the play and strike the ball into the net for a fifth United score. Mercifully for the visiting Metro girls, the whistle finally ended the Quest scoring output before more damage could be inflicted. Top to bottom, the United side had played one of their best matches of the season, at precisely the moment they needed it most, and insured a positive standing for the season.
Game 8 (Nov. 12) - United Quest vs Norcross Magic Gold - United Fall Short of Norcross Sweep, Draw 2-2
As results go in a long season, a midweek draw against a very competent Magic Gold side is not such a bad thing. Although United looked to be the better team on the pitch, they twice had to come from behind to earn the tie. Things got off to a bad start when a Norcross forward took an early chance and surprised the entire Quest defense with a quick and accurate strike to put the Magic up 1-0. Finding themselves behind after just a few minutes had expired on the game clock seemed to anger the United girls who, despite playing a fifth league match without a key player, began to dominate play. Forward Amanda Masters, who missed her second consecutive game due to a leg injury, paid high compliments to her teammates after the match and described the two Quest tallies as the two best goals of the year. The first came off of a superb corner kick from Meagan Dilbeck who served an excellent ball right to edge of the six-yard box where forward Sierra Green headed it with great authority and precision past a stunned keeper and two goal line defenders into the back of the net. Before the first half ended, however, the very same Norcross forward who had so quickly punished United earlier struck for her second goal off of what appeared to be a routine serve from a free kick. Her well-placed ball from the left side went oddly unattended by defenders, offensive players, and the goalkeeper before settling into the far right side netting behind a curiously unguarded right post. With Norcross up 2-1 at the break, Quest needed to find their game in a hurry to avoid creeping closer to the lower end of the Athena A table. Just as they had throughout the first half, forwards Brooke Gallof and Ali Schultz put great pressure on the Magic defenders, but saw their chances fall just short against the swarming defensive tactics of the Norcross side. Seeing her first action in a Quest uniform, newcomer Katelyn Wilkinson played some quality minutes that allowed her coach to rest some players at key points during the game and showed great promise with her speed and athleticism. In the back, co-captain Caroline Poirier held her defenders together with her usual intelligent and scrappy play, and on more than one occasion she and her defensemates turned away threatening Norcross thrusts with timely tackles or clearances. Midfielder Carolyn Craddock led her team's surging combative style by example, and the always tough and speedy Estela Negron-Flores came to her team's aid repeatedly to help stave off Norcross attacks with help from Alena Reich, Jasmine Noel, and Rebecca Herrigel.. The team's collective efforts finally paid off in the second half when forward Sierra Green decided to return the assist favor shown her in the first half by sending a lovely cross from the right flank into the penalty area that Meagan Dilbeck met with a well-timed run and superb strike to grab the tying goal. Midfielders Ali Friedman and Andrea Sikora provided steady play in the middle of the field throughout the game, and keeper Michelle Krengel snatched two threatening looking balls out of the air late in the match to help preserve the draw. United's league record now stands at 3-3-2, with two matches to play, and they control their own soccer destiny going into the last two matches of the season. Good results against their final two opponents will assure Athena A status for the Spring.
Game 7 (Nov. 8) - United Quest vs Inter Atlanta - Confident Inter Beat Shorthanded Quest, 1-0
For the fourth time this season United Quest played without one of their key players in the lineup, and at the end of the game their record for the four matches stood at 0-3-1, with a draw against Tophat providing the lone bright spot. Inter Atlanta, whose squad seemed unlimited in number, took advantage of Quest's lack of creativity and poor possession to create a number of chances before getting the only goal they would need to make their drive home the more enjoyable. After the Inter goal, the United girls seemed energized and began to threaten their opponent's goal with nearly every attack, but were repeatedly turned back by a combination of bad fortune and bad officiating. Unable to overcome either, United succumbed 1-0 at the final whistle leaving their visibly frustrated coach sitting shaking his head at his team's misfortune. With a a third match marked down in the "loss" column, United Quest must now finish strong to keep themselves out of the relegation drop zone.
Game 6 (Nov. 2) - United Quest vs Norcross Magic Blue - Quest Visit Norcross to Snatch Important 1-0 Win
In another rivalry that seems inexplicably destined to provide nail-biting games, Norcross Magic Blue hosted United Quest 88 White and yielded in the end 1-0 to what seemed the better side, but still managed to keep things interesting right down to the final whistle. Excellent team defending helped Quest in the end, as Rebecca Herrigel, Alena Reich, and Caroline "City" Poirier clogged the middle while outside backs Jasmine Noel and Estela Negron-Flores not only defended well, but also looked threatening streaking up the flanks. The first half of the match was fairly evenly played, but when the Quest girls came out in the second half they had obviously listened to coach Kyle Cornell's half-time speech. The United girls immediately put Norcross on the defensive and just missed connecting on a couple of scoring chances, before the Magic finally conceded the goal. Forward Amanda Masters worked hard to deliver a nice centering pass to the feet of Brooke Gallof who deftly settled the ball before getting herself a nice goal and her strikemate her third assist in two games. After that, Carolyn Craddock and her midfield mates clamped down on Norcross to keep them pinned into their own half for most of the final minutes of the match, and keeper Michelle Krengel scooped up the few balls that found their way through the Quest formation. Winning 1-0 solidified Quest's push for a top ranking in Athena A, but several tough matches remain before any medals can be awarded.
Game 5 (Nov. 1) - United Quest vs Coweta Lady Cannons Gold - Quest Silences Lady Cannons, 4-2
The offense of United Quest awakened just in time to quell growing sideline criticism in a 4-2 shelling of Lady Cannons Gold on Coweta's home turf. Forward Amanda Masters proved to be a handful of trouble for the Coweta defenders as she dished out two assists in the first half off of nice crosses, and then grabbed a goal for herself early in the second to help her team's cause. The two first half goals off of the nice crosses were provided by forward Sierra Green and Ali Schultz, who scored in her first game back after missing three matches due to a broken collarbone. The Quest scoreline was helped late by midfielder Ali Friedman who put all hopes of a Lady Cannon rally to rest with a looping finish over the Coweta keeper's head. With the victory, Quest leaped right back into the thick of the Athena A race and looked every bit the title contender once again. Barring injury and illness, the 88 Whites have become a team to watch.
Game 4 (Oct. 25) - United Quest vs Forsyth Fusion Red - Fusion win 3-0 on Quest's Home Turf
After scoring four goals in their previous two matches, United 88 White seemed to take a step backward offensively against a Forsyth Fusion Red side that was more than willing to take advantage of their opponents' lack of scoring punch to steal a win on the road. Though the initial scoreline deficit of 1-0 more accurately reflected the play of the match, the Fusion players happily tacked on a couple of very late tallies to pad their goal differential in league play. After the 3-0 defeat, the United girls had to be wondering if they still had the goods to play at the Athena A level, but the view from the sideline revealed that they are only a small step away from their Spring form which saw them finish second in the table by only one point. Quest was playing its third league match without injured standout midfielder/forward Ali Schultz, and her missing energy was more evident than during the previous two games where the team managed to look frequently threatening. There were chances on this day, but none found the back of the net as United were shut out for the first time in league play. Though missing two of their regular defenders when the match commenced, the remade Quest back four played very solidly throughout the match until very late. Standout performances were turned in by defenders Jasmine Noel and Estela Negron-Flores, but in the end the entire team had little success as a group as the Forsyth girls poured salt in their wounds with two meaningless goals to run the final to 3-0.
Game 3 (Oct. 19) - United Quest vs August Arsenal Viper - United Falls to Overcoached Arsenal in Augusta, 3-2
The long trip back from Augusta was particularly long for the girls of United Quest after they saw their very decent showing get overshadowed by "dodgy" officiating, an overzealous opposing coaching staff, and a couple of quick counters that led to scores against the run of play. Give credit to the Viper players for capitalizing on their chances against a United team that possessed the ball better than their hosts but could not stay organized in the transition to defend against two breakaways. Distractions from the coaching sideline were numerous as Augusta brought a number of coaches to the match, all of whom seemed to have plenty to shout about throughout the match, and they seemed willing to stalk and yell at players on both teams while encroaching well into the United half of the field. United got two goals from veteran 88 White players. Meagan Dilbeck had a fine finish when she beat the Viper keeper at the near, left post with just the narrowest opening available. Her authoritative strike had the sideline abuzz with praise. Weekly standout Sierra Green returned to her scoring ways with a fine finish in the second half that had the United parents believing that a draw or better would be the storyline of the day. Arsenal had other ideas as they quickly countered to score a third goal late to seal their 3-2 victory. Bright spots were the reemergence of the Quest offense, which has scored ten goals in three matches, and active midfield play from Ali Friedman, Andrea Sikora, and the always hardworking Carolyn Craddock.
Game 2 (Oct. 18) - United Quest vs Tophat Navy - 88 Whites and Tophat Draw Again, 2 - 2
In what has become somewhat of a predictable result, the girls of United Quest 88 White and Tophat Navy played to a 2-2 draw on Tophat's home turf. The Tophatters created two very decent goals against a Quest defense still searching for its late Spring season form, and on the flip side Quest's still struggling offense managed to scrap out two less attractive goals from the dust in front of the Tophat net. Both teams pushed mightily for the go-ahead tally, but none would come this day. Although Tophat looked a tad bit more competent in their finishing third, Quest controlled most of the pitch right up to their final third where other than in their match versus RYSA their scoring chances have been scarce. United forward Brooke Gallof poached the team's second goal off of a tiny bobble by the opposing keeper who couldn't recover before the ball was poked past her for the score. Quest's first goal, which reenergized the team in the first half, came off of a nice aggressive run by defender Estela Negron-Flores who made the most of one of her rare runs into the other team's half to bury a fine shot into the corner of the net. Goalkeeper Michelle Krengel came off her line late in the match to help preserve the tie when she confidently took a threatening ball out of the air before Tophat could knock it in.
Game 1 (Sept. 13) - United Quest vs RYSA Sporting FC Blue - United Leaves Sporting Feeling Blue with 6-0 win
The girls of United Quest 88 White, having had the first weekend of the U15 Athena A league schedule off, were eager to begin their season on a positive note. Their opponents for the day, RYSA Sporting FC Blue, were coming off two disappointing league defeats and surely had a similar desire to perform well on the field. United's lineup got shuffled around early when dizziness and nausea, the result of a headache induced by a ball driven off of her head during warm-ups, sent one of the starting forwards to the bench for the remainder of the half just seven minutes into the match. While the top of the Quest formation was getting used to new combinations, the RYSA girls played some of their better soccer. However, despite some early threatening forays into each other's ends of the field, neither side looked very capable of grabbing the attacking initiative for the first twenty minutes of the first half. If not for some lazy transitional play, which led to numerous offside infractions, United surely would have scored on their opponents early in the half. With possession handed back to RYSA repeatedly, the Quest midfield and back line got to play some defense, which they did superbly in terms of keeping RYSA off the scoreboard. As has been the case on numerous occasions, veteran forward Sierra Green would provide the catalyst for United to play better soccer by providing the first goal of the match with a scrappy strike that got by the hard-charging RYSA keeper. For a team that had scored just one goal in their three preseason tournament matches, this go-ahead score would prove to be the lift that Quest needed to remember how the game should be played. The pressure immediately mounted for RYSA as the United attack seemed to rise to a new energy level. United would have a goal called back on yet another offsides violation before they would get an opportunity to pad their lead. The second scoring sequence started with a ball being played wide to a racing Ali Schultz on the right wing who beat a defender before pulling her cross away from the goal to meet a well-timed run by midfielder Meagan Dilbeck who very calmly settled the ball and drove it hard past the keeper for a 2-0 United lead. The quality of the strike brought cheers from the parent sideline and seemed to pump up the Quest players. Fortunately for RYSA, the half expired just a few minutes later before United could jump on them again. The second half featured a better-organized Quest attack, with numerous possessions beginning in the back and being worked forward with good lateral play and good negative ball movement out of pressure situations. With fresh legs and a cleared head, forward Amanda Masters grabbed United's third goal when she dribbled the ball out of a crowd and found herself behind the defense and in on the keeper. She calmly slotted the ball by the RYSA goalie to make it 3-0 United. Shortly after that tally, forward Brooke Gallof, playing for the first time against her old club mates, tapped in a rebound off of her own hard shot to make it a 4-0 lead. The Quest side conjured up several more pretty sequences that saw nice crosses either headed over the bar or driven just wide before Sierra Green would get her second on the day. Her composed strike, set up by a beautifully weighted through pass from midfielder Carolyn Craddock, slipped past the RYSA keeper and made it 5-0 to Quest. The Sporting Blue girls, under great pressure and very tired at this point, didn't get any help from lady luck when one of their defenders attempted a booming clearance in a crowd that a charging Amanda Masters met with her outstretched leg and redirected back into the RYSA goal to push the final score to 6-0. With six goals netted and solid defense played throughout the match, the United Quest team left the field feeling confident and better prepared for their next test, the RBC Liberty Challenge in Greenville, South Carolina, where they will meet the cream of that state's soccer elite.
Kohl's Atlanta Cup 2003
The 2003 edition of the United Quest 88 White team took the field on Saturday with only a limited amount of summer training behind them and three formidable opponents looming before them. Though still far from three-match tournament fitness, the girls showed early promise during their first real game of the new season, before succumbing to late game fatigue and frustration, a theme that would repeat itself in all games.
Day 1 - Quest 88 White vs North Alabama United Samba FC
For twenty minutes, United Quest had the Alabama State Champion North Alabama United Samba on the ropes, but failed to capitalize on their early domination. With gritty defending and excellent distribution through the midfield, United controlled the opening moments of what would prove to be a seesaw game with both teams struggling to sustain stretches of momentum. Quest seemed to have everything figured out except the final third for most of the first half, as their forward combinations looked dangerous until the final pass or shot. The rustiness that comes with no real game time for almost three months was evident as United's strikes were either straight at the opposing keeper or very timidly executed. Still, the runs were there and the execution leading to the final strikes was encouraging early. However, with their possession play being nullified by a lack of finishing, Quest's midfielders began to wear down against the growing confidence and improving rhythm of their S.E. Regional Premier League opponent. Alabama United began to exploit space on the flanks and attack with numbers that eventually overwhelmed the tiring Quest defense. After an initial goal, the Samba side found themselves in the fortunate position of owning a lead against the balance of the run of play and facing a United Quest side still searching for its full-match confidence and fitness. Much like their forward teammates, the Quest midfielders and defenders displayed some rustiness and loss of focus at critical moments with missed passes and tackles that opened up more space for the Alabama players to exploit. Two goals later, a dejected Quest side left the field knowing that they can play with the top teams in the region, but will need greater team commitment, execution and fitness to get the job done. With their 3-0 victory over United Quest, North Alabama looked to be the team to beat in Group A, but the United girls showed that they are but a small step away from a similar distinction. Quest newcomers, Rebecca Herrigel and Brooke Gallof, made positive contributions to the effort in defense and at forward respectively, while the returning players were all reminded that a second season at Athena A will not be a task taken lightly.
Day 1 - Quest 88 White vs AFC Lightning 89 White
After escaping their first defeat with at least the belief that they were more unlucky than anything else, the girls of United Quest found themselves facing an improved AFC Lightning side that had something to prove. Unlike the pattern of their first match, this contest would not feature the dominating possession play that is at times the 88 Whites' trademark. For the entire first half the girls struggled to get the ball out of their half of the field as the Lightning attack gained momentum and confidence. The Quest forwards had difficulty involving themselves in a cohesive United attack, because the ball rarely advanced past the midfield stripe. With relentless pressure on the Quest back four, seams opened up for the AFC forwards and the Lightning went up 1-0 fairly early and never looked back. With finishing still eluding the United attack, pressure on the midfield players to win and hold balls increased. With the entire team's match fitness still a question mark, Coach Kyle Cornell had little choice but to keep the bodies changing in the hope of finding a combination that might work. Unfortunately, as Quest's energy level waned, so too did their confidence and will to succeed. Numerous player rotations and positional changes seemed to confuse the midfield philosophy of the coach's new formation and the AFC players were quick to counter at every change of possession. Quickly overwhelmed, the Quest defenders and goalkeeper would concede four goals before the dust settled, leaving the girls and their parents to wonder what had happened to the fight of the 88 Whites of old. Late in the game, angry flurries of attacking energy resurfaced for United as Sierra Green and newcomer Brooke Gallof valiantly attempted to get something going in the final third. It was a classic case of too little, too late, even with the hard running Ali Schultz thrown into the attack. Still, there were glimpses of the bright 88 White character, with even more awaiting the polish of a couple more weeks of serious training. With their fitness, a typical Quest strength, still lacking, and the hot, humid conditions of the day beating down on them, the girls succumbed 4-0 in the end. Day one of the preseason warm-up had been unkind, but had offered a road map to areas needing improvement for the coach and team to follow. The team had faced a similar experience at the beginning of the Fall season a year earlier and eventually elevated their play to become one of the best teams in the state. There's every reason to believe that they can do it again this season.
Day 2 - Quest 88 White vs Forsyth Rowdies Fusion Gold
With a slightly later start for their remaining match on day two of the Atlanta Cup, the United Quest girls seemed well-rested and in good spirits as they warmed up Sunday morning. Their play on the field after the opening whistle also seemed to be higher in energy and enthusiasm than had their previous two efforts. The Forsyth Rowdies, another team with something to prove to Quest, came out with similar enthusiasm, and the resulting match was entertaining and highly contested. The day quickly turned hot, humid, and very sunny under the mutable clouds overhead, and parents and players alike sweltered under the unforgiving conditions. The girls on both teams expended good effort, and it would be the Rowdies who would first ruffle the United net for a 1-0 lead. Unlike the previous day's efforts, however, the Quest side seemed determined to not go down to defeat this day. With renewed fight in their hearts and minds, United was able to battle for the equalizer when forward Sierra Green toe-poked a ball fortuitously redirected her way past the Forsyth keeper. At 1-1, the United side had earned the opportunity to push for the win. The match seemed to alternately swing in favor of each side, until a failed clearance and subsequent scramble in front of the Quest goal led to a Forsyth go-ahead goal. Down 2-1, and with the clock and fatigue working against them, the Quest girls pushed for their second goal until the final whistle cruelly put and end to their hopes. Parents and players alike were happy to escape the heat, but disappointed in the result of their final match of the tournament. With the regular Athena A season looming a week ahead of them, the team has plenty to work on in upcoming training sessions. Mercifully, the long holiday weekend would provide a much needed break and recuperation from the rigors of high level soccer, before the season gets seriously underway.