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• u17 ECNL Explosion
• u17 Courage 92
• u16 ECNL Cardinals
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• u15 Courage 94
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• u13 Harkes United
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• u10 Pride 99
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• u9 FCV United

Explosion open 2009 Virginia State Cup with 6-1 win

Sep 20, 2009
The U-17 Explosion traveled to Chesterfield, Virginia on Saturday for a mid-day clash with Chesterfield United, where the first half and opening of the second was heavily contested before the technical class of the FC Virginia squad turned the day into a comfortable 6-1 outing.

An early, precision strike by attacking midfielder Aly Shaughnessy was the perfect beginning for the road team in need of some early confidence. That confidence oozed for several minutes more, as the attacks continued in waves, only to have poor finishing and some key turnovers keep the game from getting out of reach for the home side early.

Those mistakes, and one quick counter attack by Chesterfield were all the home team needed to pull the match even about half way through the first stanza. Despite what most saw as an apparent offside on the play, no one could deny the goal had been deserved regardless as United was winning the physical battles all over the field.

Despite the warning signal sent with the tying goal, FCV was able to rebound, going ahead again on a header by Lisa Popps from a free kick that seemed to fool the opposing net minder with its lack of power. The blooping header floated though the ‘keeper’s finger tips as she charged the ball, dropping just across the line without even bulging the net.

Halftime would arrive with the uncomfortable 2-1 score for the Explosion, where the team talk must have been focused on the lack of precision and poor physical match ups.

However, the second half started much as the first had ended, with Chesterfield throwing everything they had at every ball, denying any consistent possession by the visitors. The hard work almost paid off near the 55 minute mark, as an impressive blast from distance beat the Explosion goalkeeper, only to ping off the underside of the cross bar before being cleared safely away.

The near miss on the powerful shot seemed have all the energy of an entire team riding on its trajectory. Had the shot gone in, the energy likely would have continued to fuel the technically overmatched hosts. As it happened however, that energy seemed to transfer to the visitors, who finally starting playing to their potential.  

The energy lead to sustained pressure and better possession by FC Virginia, who generated several close chances before Forward Mampy Beck beat her defender down the right side of the penalty area before cutting towards goal and finishing acutely at the near post around the 60th minute for the 3-1 lead.

The goal seemed to deflate the hosts, who had valiantly fought for the State Cup lives to that point, while simultaneously inspiring the visitors. The final 25 minutes of match turned into one-way traffic, all directed at the United’s goal. Despite a continued lack of sharpness in general leading to some missed opportunities, FC Virginia lived up to their name, exploding for three more impressive goals to close out the match.

Newcomer Katie Shafer opened her FC Virginia account with a sharp finish from a perfect setup by Caitlyn McLaughlin, who drove the left end line and attacked the near post before firing across the face of goal to the well positioned Florida transplant.

Soon thereafter, Beck doubled her account on the day with strong finish from just inside the penalty area, before the sixth, and best, goal of the day put the icing on the cake for the visitors.

While tally number six would end in a simple header by McLauphlin at the near post, it was created by a complete team effort, where nearly every player on the pitch had a touch. The passing sequence exhibited the quality possession soccer valued so much by the ECNL-bound squad, beginning with the left back, working through midfield to switch the point of attack, and ending with a perfect cross from deep down the right flank to McLauphlin’s well timed finishing run.

Next up for FCV is a long road trip to Virginia Beach on Saturday, where they face the 4th seeded – and fellow ECNL club – Virginia Rush for a berth in the final eight.  It will be a tough test early in the competition for the second year in a row, but one the squad is confident they can pass.