2003 HEARTBREAK TOURNAMENT

RAIDERS 2003 HEARTBREAK TOURNAMENT



It was the type of game the coaches envisioned when they divided the Lightning U13 Girls’ Soccer team into two eight player squads for the Heartbreak Tournament at Scotch Plains High School, last Sunday. For twenty five extraordinary minutes the Lightning teams battled with the White squad taking three one goal leads only to have the Blue team battle back for a 3-3 tie.

It came down to a contest of the coach’s daughters with Bernard Glover’s daughter Angelica twice putting the White team ahead only to be countered by Luis Rodriguez’ daughter ,Heather,who deftly took a crossing pass out of the air with a minute left to score the final goal. The tie stopped the White team from clinching first place in the five team round robin. The Blue team rode the momentum of the final minute rescue to easily win its final game against Middlesex while the White team was jolted by three quick goals by Colonia in the last round and lost 5-2,dropping to third place with a 2-1-1 record.

Each team had won its first two games by lopsided scores setting up the round three showdown. The White team coached by Glover was comprised of Katie Cornacchia, Angelica Glover, Cathy Harley, Rachel Kreyer, Jaclyn Lazarus, Joanna Naugle, Alyssa Straniero and Maria-Pia Rivero
The Blue Team coached by Rodriguez contained Brittany Biondi, Nina Brownstone, Javonni Costello, Cheryl Monteiro, Jessica Nagourney, Rachel Parker, Heather Rodriguez and Kristen Thompson

“It was fun seeing the girls playing each other, it was very competitive and serious” said Luis Rodriguez.
“ Both teams wanted to win. The score could not be better and fair. I loved it.”

Naugle had put the White team on the board before Costello equalized. Glover, the leading scorer last fall hit a hard 20 yard shot to make it 2-1 before Rodriguez countered on a rebound for a 2-2 tie. Glover appeared to give the White the win when she connected from 10 yards away. A minute later goalie Rachel Parker made a great save on a hard shot by Straniero to keep it a one goal game and set up Rodriguez’ heroics.

The audience comprised of Lightning family members cheered plays by each side. Everybody agreed that a tie was the best result.

Earlier that morning thirteen of the sixteen had won a hard fought game 4-3 over Edison to advance to the semifinal round of the playoffs in the winter indoor league that is played at City Center in Rahway.

Rodriguez likes the teams’ progress.
“Even though we do not have a good record, it seems that the last two games the group is reaching to a high point, just in time for the playoffs and finals” , said Rodriguez.

Their next game will be against the Scotch Plains U-12 with the winner advancing to the finals.

“The indoor game benefits the team in a concept of controlling, passing, triangulation, defense and many other facts. Hopefully this experience can be carried to the outdoor season”, added Rodriguez.