Girls Match of The Week: Marcus vs FlowerMound

FLOWER MOUND, TX - In this edition of the ‘Match of the Week' we will be looking at Tuesday's game between the Marcus Marauders and the Flower Mound Jaguars (both located in Flower Mound). These cross-town rivals have a long history together, and both are known to produce great players. Hailed as “The Battle of the Mound”, this local derby tends to have intensity no matter how remarkable the teams are. Tuesday night the intensity was magnified by the fact that whoever won “The Mound” would also take sole ownership of 1st place in District 6. This article will briefly recap the match and highlight some top performances on a pitch that was littered with future college-level talent.   The main story of this match was the Marcus attack. The Marauders front three consists of Bella Campos, [player_tooltip player_id='85949' first='Madi' last='Patterson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='26342' first='Maddie' last='Hayes'], who play very well together and seem to have a great partnership upfront. The Marauders were constantly knocking on the Jaguar's door during the first half, but Flower Mound's goalkeeper, [player_tooltip player_id='27067' first='Maya' last='Cordova'], refused to open it. Maya had several massive saves that helped keep the score knotted at 0-0 going into the half. Senior Midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='41132' first='Ally' last='Pinto'] is known mostly for her work in the attacking third, but Tuesday night Ally showed that she also has a smart defensive mind. Flower Mound's assist leader, [player_tooltip player_id='26330' first='Emma' last='Hoang'], and their top goal scorer, [player_tooltip player_id='85781' first='Jalen' last='Chaney'], fought hard and were able to create a couple good chances, but the Marauder back four held strong.   Senior [player_tooltip player_id='26620' first='Chloe' last='Adams'] is one of the headliners at the back, and per usual was a consistent defensive presence and played like the top player she is. The Marauders also got some big defensive performances from seniors Sloane Denning and [player_tooltip player_id='26600' first='Caroline' last='Castans']. Caroline plays as a midfielder and forward but spent her night at left back. She made plays all over the pitch, including notching the assist for the Marauders go-ahead goal with a beautiful ball over the top to Bella Campos- who perfectly netted the chance. The second goal came not long after the first, when [player_tooltip player_id='85949' first='Madi' last='Patterson'] got loose on a breakaway and slotted it home. In the dying minutes, Bella Campos got another one to complete the game and secure “The Battle of the Mound” matchup for Marcus. The MOTM of the evening were Marcus's Bella Campos and Flower Mound's [player_tooltip player_id='27067' first='Maya' last='Cordova'].   Bella Campos is a quick forward with a high soccer IQ and the sense of a true striker. She is technically sound with a good touch and the ability to take on and beat defenders. Her pace makes her a threat to get onto long balls, beat defenders 1v1, and attack from the wings. Bella moves off the ball very effectively, both in and out of possession, which creates space for herself and teammates. She has the ‘striker's sense' and always seems to find a way to get her name etched on the scoresheet.  Bella is an offensive playmaker whether she is scoring goals or assisting them.    [player_tooltip player_id='85949' first='Madi' last='Patterson'] is a very athletic, strong, and fast forward who can be used in a variety of ways. Madi has plenty of pace to chase down long balls and beat defenders. She excels at making proper, well-timed runs, especially down the wings. Madi is a difficult forward to mark and is a smart enough player to adapt to what defenses are giving her. If defenders decide to pressure her back, Madi spins-off so beautifully by dropping shoulder in front of them to get that extra step going forward. She shows her strength off with her long throws, ability to hold off defenders, and keep her balance through contact.  Madi is an excellent finisher and plays with a calm yet confident demeanor in front of goal. Quite possibly her most impressive skill, is how she can get herself into 1v1 chances and convert them at an incredibly high rate.    [player_tooltip player_id='26342' first='Maddie' last='Hayes'] is the Marauders #9. Like her fellow Marauder forwards, Maddie is very fast and athletic. She is incredibly good with her movement off the ball and seems to naturally know what space she should occupy. She can be difficult for defenders to track with her frequent, quick, varied, and smart penetrating runs (especially when making long cross-field runs). Maddie has a deceptively powerful strike with a very quick release, that some would describe as “effortless” with how natural it looks for her.    [player_tooltip player_id='26600' first='Caroline' last='Castans'] is a “Swiss army knife” kind of a player who can impact the game at both ends. She is listed as a midfielder but is successful playing up top or at the back as well. She is a tall and athletic player who has a great left footed delivery. She can whip in crosses or corners with the pace and accuracy to make them very dangerous. Her passing, vision, and IQ, in addition to her athleticism, are what grants Caroline her versatility.    Sloane Denning put in a solid defensive shift all night against the Jaguar attack. Sloane has the height, strength, and tackling of a true center back. She is excellent in the air, which is aided by her strength and high vertical. Sloane also has great spatial awareness and displays a good sense of anticipation on the pitch. She is consistently the first one to come up to win the ball and has great judgment that she doesn't often miscalculate. She possesses the type of size, physicality, and toughness you want in a center back.    [player_tooltip player_id='41132' first='Ally' last='Pinto'] is a gifted midfielder who is a technical player that reads the game well. Ally is a versatile player, and although she is listed as a midfielder/forward she can certainly play any position. She was forced to show her defensive capabilities on Tuesday night and won possession back for her side a number of times by jumping passes and being in the right spaces. Ally is a very fit athlete, and she has the determination and drive to chase opposing players down the full length of the pitch. She can pick out teammates even in a crowded box, showing off her talent for getting on to the end of crosses and making her a legitimate threat.    [player_tooltip player_id='27067' first='Maya' last='Cordova'] is a smart and technical keeper who can produce in big moments. You can tell that Maya has great technique just from watching her warmup. She has the touch and passing ability to play out of the back effectively. She can make highlight plays with her diving acrobatic saves. Her agility allows her to pop back up almost immediately after going down for a save and is one of her greatest attributes. She has very quick reflexes and can make difficult reaction saves at close range. Maya is the type of goalkeeper who can keep her team in close games and can be relied upon to produce in big moments.   [player_tooltip player_id='26330' first='Emma' last='Hoang'] is a quick player with a high motor and good head on her shoulders. She can play anywhere in the midfield, but she really shines as an attacking center midfielder. Emma is most effective when she is on the ball going forward. She keeps the ball close to her feet when she's dribbling, and her eyes are always up looking for the next pass. She is very productive in the final third where she can be more creative. As a forward, Emma gets herself into positions to score and has a great first time shot. Her topmost quality as a player is her knack for creating chances and providing assists for teammates. Emma has a good delivery and can cross accurately from both wings. She is thoughtful and intentional with her passing around the 18, which leads to her impressive assist numbers and efficiency when making the final pass.     Bella Campos, Senior, Forward - Sting ECNL Black U18/19   [player_tooltip player_id='85949' first='Madi' last='Patterson'], Freshman, Forward - Solar ECNL RL 07   [player_tooltip player_id='26342' first='Maddie' last='Hayes'], Sophomore, Forward - FCD 06 ECNL   [player_tooltip player_id='26600' first='Caroline' last='Castans'], Senior, Midfielder/Forward - DKSC U18/19 ECNL   Sloane Denning, Defender, Senior - Dallas Texans ECNL-RL U18/19   [player_tooltip player_id='26330' first='Emma' last='Hoang'], Junior, Midfielder/Forward – Solar U18/19 ECNL   [player_tooltip player_id='27067' first='Maya' last='Cordova'], Junior, Goal Keeper – Sting Royal U18/19 ECNL   [player_tooltip player_id='41132' first='Ally' last='Pinto'], Junior, Midfielder – DKSC 06G ECNL

FLOWER MOUND, TX - In this edition of the ‘Match of the Week' we will be looking at Tuesday's game between the Marcus Marauders and the Flower Mound Jaguars (both located in Flower Mound). These cross-town rivals have a long history together, and both are known to produce great players. Hailed as “The Battle of the Mound”, this local derby tends to have intensity no matter how remarkable the teams are. Tuesday night the intensity was magnified by the fact that whoever won “The Mound” would also take sole ownership of 1^st place in District 6. This article will briefly recap the match and highlight some top performances on a pitch that was littered with future college-level talent.