ECNL Boys National Finals: 09 Quarterfinal Standouts

With the sun rising high above the western Richmond hills, the action reached its' most intense height yet, with several players, referees, and coaches succumbing to the mix of sport and sun. Through it all, these players stood out when it mattered most:   Rockford Raptors 1 - 0 Utah Avalanche - A bizarre turn of events led to one of the Avalanche players being sent off during the first hydration break, and that appeared to be the difference maker as Rockford would snag a 2nd half goal and hold on until the final whistle.    Prus was the catalyst for Rockford, and eventually, the game winner as well. In the first half, Prus provided several crosses for his teammates that put the ball in a dangerous area and begged questions of the opposition inside their own penalty area. In the second half, he found his way in on goal and chipped past an outstretched keeper to put his side up by 1 which would eventually be the final margin.     Syzdek did everything necessary to ensure his side was going to move on. He was outstanding from whistle to whistle, and he just looks different for a player in his age group. The willingness to high point the ball, his ability to get height on his more daring saves, and the agile quickness that he drops and secures a low ball was phenomenal. Utah had a plethora of opportunities, but each time, Syzdek was there to deny them.     Denu was a playmaker in the middle for Rockford, attacking every gap he saw and springing teammates left right and center. It helped that there was a bit more room in the middle of the park with Utah down to 10, but he was every bit as engaging before their red card as well, so there's nothing that suggests it wouldn't have continued.     Guge provides a threat on both wings and he alternated positions regularly enough that you thought there were multiple 11's on the pitch wearing dark blue. He and his attacking teammates were involved in a torrent of combinations and chances, and it was a bit of misfortune and missed opportunity that kept him off the scoresheet in this match,     Cadman was the brightest spot for Utah in their loss, keeping the Avalanche within striking distance for the entire ninety. He was in the Top 3 goalkeepers of the day amongst the top age groups, and he genuinely made it seem as though there were still eleven on the pitch for Utah. Time and again he denied Rockford what seemed to be due, tamping down any hope of the game getting out of hand.    Pipeline SC B09 2 - 1 San Diego Surf B09 - A torrid affair that saw a reversal of regular roles, with Pipeline clinging to a two goal lead for much of the second half and nearly giving it all away at the end, but Surf didn't quite have enough as they ran out of time.    Quaranta was Pipeline's most noticeable and vociferous player on the field. He made brilliant runs through the Surf backline, getting on the end of a number of passes that saw him either into space or through on net. One such pass was placed in a perfect position for him near the end of the first half, and he calmly side footed the ball past the goalkeeper with nary a wink of worry.     Tejeda answered the age old question of unstoppable force vs. immovable object, and it's been determined that unstoppable force does win. Tejeda was the best player on the field by far, dancing and stepping around defenders at every turn , yet each chance he had to put his team on the scoresheet fell by the wayside until the very end. A ball played through found Tejeda on the end of it as he snuck it past the goalkeeper with just a few moments remaining. It might have been too little, too late, but he was genuinely determined to keep going and find a way until the final whistle.

With the sun rising high above the western Richmond hills, the action reached its' most intense height yet, with several players, referees, and coaches succumbing to the mix of sport and sun. Through it all, these players stood out when it mattered most: