Challenge SC 10 stop Sting Royal’s push to take ECNL Girls win

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The club soccer season is underway and teams from around the country are competing in their respective leagues.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We, at Prep Soccer Texas, will follow as many matches and players as possible, paying close attention to everything that happens in the MLS Next, ECNL National and Regional Leagues and Girls Academy League, as well as showcases and tournaments, giving the talented players from the Lone Star State the exposure they deserve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Sunday, November 24, our destination was Burroughs Park, in Tomball, where we followed the ECNL Girls duel between the 10s teams of Challenge SC and Sting Royal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/11/ecnl-girls-challenge-sc-10-vs-sting-royal-10-photos/↗">Challenge SC 10 vs. Sting Royal 10 - Photos</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Challenge had a strong first half and managed to build a three-goal lead after forwards [player_tooltip player_id='293358' first='Callie' last='Cleveland'] and [player_tooltip player_id='112608' first='Camryn' last='King'] and midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='295118' first='Callie' last='Mastroleo'] found the back of the net. Sting found their game in the second half, but got only two goals, scored by [player_tooltip player_id='214724' first='Chloe' last='Atkinson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='214728' first='Braelyn' last='Meador'], coming up short in their push to level the score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/ChallengeSoccer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChallengeSoccer</a> hold on to their first-half lead and control <a href="https://twitter.com/StingECNLRoyal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StingECNLRoyal</a>'s comeback, securing a 3-2 home win in. Check out <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepSoccerTX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepSoccerTX</a> over the next few days for photos and a Match Report. <a href="https://t.co/EMWO9hZGqy">pic.twitter.com/EMWO9hZGqy</a></p>&mdash; Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1860755874618253504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Challenge are ranked 11th in the Texas Conference with 12 points (four wins, seven losses). Sting Royal are fifth, with 18 points (six wins, four losses).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='293358' first='Callie' last='Cleveland']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Magnolia","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Challenge SC","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6746193a71ee4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The focal point of Challenge's offense, Cleveland had a very productive match, getting involved in the team's three goals - she scored the first, drew the penalty kick that generated the second and fought for the ball in the play that ended in the third. She displayed a very complete game, using her body well to control the space and get on the end of long passes, but also moving intelligently to wide areas of the field to make plays. Cleveland was an important weapon in transition plays too, dribbling the ball from the wings to the center of the field and finding her teammates with timely passes. In the second half, with Challenge fighting to preserve their lead, she was a little bit isolated up top, but still managed to hold the ball and create some chances. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":274450,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/11/IMG_3303.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-274450" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Challenge SC G10 vs. Sting Royal G10</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["112608"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6746193a71f48"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing underneath Cleveland in a central attacking position, King was another important piece on Challenge's offense. She had a very strong presence around and inside the penalty box, moving well without the ball and engaging in good combination plays. King also had some strong runs through the middle, using her body to shield the ball as she progressed. She was calm and efficient in converting the penalty kick in the team's second goal and also showed good determination to play defense in the center of the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Goal <a href="https://twitter.com/ChallengeSoccer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChallengeSoccer</a> ! [player_tooltip player_id='293358' first='Callie' last='Cleveland'] draws a penalty kick and [player_tooltip player_id='112608' first='Camryn' last='King'] converts it to give the team a 2-0 lead over <a href="https://twitter.com/StingECNLRoyal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StingECNLRoyal</a>. <a href="https://t.co/pDRzUUBBQd">pic.twitter.com/pDRzUUBBQd</a></p>&mdash; Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1860741027121766407?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Farah Burkholder","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"100","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Challenge SC","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6746193a71fd0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Burkholder had a busy match and performed extremely well, helping Challenge sustain Sting's second-half pressure and keep their lead. She was put to work on several occasions with shots from outside the penalty box and crosses and always delivered and made a clutch save in a 1v1 situation in the second half. There was nothing she could have done to stop Sting's first goal and she even got a hand on the penalty kick shot in the second. Burkholder also communicated very well with her teammates, adjusting their positioning and giving instructions. The goalkeeper also did a good job with her punts, sending the ball well upfield with great precision.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/StingECNLRoyal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StingECNLRoyal</a> keep pushing for an equalizer, but <a href="https://twitter.com/ChallengeSoccer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChallengeSoccer</a> GK Farah Burkholder is stepping up with big saves. <a href="https://t.co/rrCHb0A7c6">pic.twitter.com/rrCHb0A7c6</a></p>&mdash; Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1860753981632364775?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["184780"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6746193a72014"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Robertson started the match at left back and had a solid defensive performance. She used her height to cut passes over the top and displayed good mobility and defensive skills to win duels and recover the ball. Robertson didn't push forward very often, but when she did, she was able to get into dangerous spots, making diagonal runs into the penalty box. She also displayed calm and confidence on the ball, avoiding unnecessary long passes and keeping things simple. In the second half, when Challenge switched their formation to have three in the back, she played a left-sided center back and continued to perform at a high level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":274474,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/11/IMG_3387.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-274474" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Challenge SC G10 vs. Sting Royal G10</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Alissa Duderstadt","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Sting Royal","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6746193a72089"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Duderstadt was the engine of Sting's midfield, playing with tremendous intensity in the center of the field. She started the match in a deeper position, but had a solid presence in the attacking half, connecting good passes and firing long-distance shots. In the second half, with her team needing goals, she moved to a more attacking position and had a big role in their playmaking. Duderstadt had some good runs through the middle and also stepped into the penalty box efficiently, almost scoring in a header.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Alissa Duderstadt with the free kick shot for <a href="https://twitter.com/StingECNLRoyal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StingECNLRoyal</a> but GK Farah Burkhokder is there to stop it. <a href="https://t.co/MP8STbVWOu">pic.twitter.com/MP8STbVWOu</a></p>&mdash; Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1860731294075752475?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["214728"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6746193a720c7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Meador played a few different roles for Sting during the match, appearing as a central midfielder and also in wider positions, both in midfield and the backline. She didn't put a foot wrong during the entire match, always finding good options to continue plays and not losing possession. In the second half, with Sting looking for a comeback, the ball went through Meador very often and she helped articulate some dangerous plays with her passing. She converted the penalty kick to score their second goal and also did a good job with set pieces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Goal <a href="https://twitter.com/StingECNLRoyal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StingECNLRoyal</a> ! [player_tooltip player_id='214728' first='Braelyn' last='Meador'] converts from the penalty spot as the visitors are now just one goal behind. 3-2 <a href="https://t.co/IVeuuiQ5Ft">pic.twitter.com/IVeuuiQ5Ft</a></p>&mdash; Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1860749833063014681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["214720"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6746193a72101"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Geyer had ups and downs during the match, but when her game was flowing, she was very difficult to stop. Playing as a right winger, she was very aggressive with the ball, beating defenders off the dribble and using her pace to create chances. She drew the penalty kick that resulted in the team's second play in basically a dead play as she was by herself in the attack and beat her marked to get into the box. Geyer also showed great accuracy with her crosses, consistently finding teammates inside the penalty box.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":274469,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/11/IMG_3370.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-274469" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Challenge SC G10 vs. Sting Royal G10</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->