NCS Quarterfinals Match – Cardinal Newman at Dublin

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a perfect night for soccer in Northern California. The Cardinal Newman Cardinals came into this playoff match as the number 15th seed, with a modest overall record of (8-10-1). Yet, this scrappy and loaded team with high-level club players should not be overlooked. They won their opening playoff match with a score of 2-0 against the 2nd seed Branson Bulls, who had an impressive record of (17-5-2) and ranked 152 in the state. Standing in their way for a semifinals match was the Dublin Gaels. The Gaels are the 7th seed and the 113th ranked team in CA.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams featured some highly skilled players. On the Cardinals side, [player_tooltip player_id='111109' first='Nina' last='Khoury'] played solid on defense. She made hard challenges outside the box and stepped into lanes to stop the speedy forwards, hoping to get into 1v1 challenges with the goalkeeper. She also made some long passes over the top to diagonal runners. Nina was an attendee from our Prep Soccer Girls ID Camp: NorCal 2024. Another camp attendee and standout player in the match is Isabella “Izzy” Rendino, who is also on the Panama National U17 and U20 teams. Rendino played primarily as a midfielder and had some really good passing combinations, which also resulted in putting scores on the board. She found players in open spaces and made quick, decisive passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other standouts for Cardinal Newman were goalkeeper [player_tooltip player_id='266127' first='Sofia' last='Kerrigan'], [player_tooltip player_id='111112' first='Bella' last='Pearson'], and Juliet Diehl. Kerrigan stopped multiple quality shots on goal. She anticipated well and cut off runners slipping between the defensive line. Her quick processing and reactions put her in the right places to make those saves. Diehl scored the opening goal off a corner kick cross as she ran past multiple defenders to get to her spot in front of the goalkeeper. Pearson scored the first goal for the Cardinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Standouts for the Dublin Gaels were [player_tooltip player_id='288136' first='Sylvia' last='Fok'], Yusra Rabi, and Julianna Costa. Fok participated in the US Club Soccer National Identification Program (ID2). She might be a U.S. soccer call-up in the future. She played up top and made some really nice passes to get players into high-percentage scoring range. Her passes were quick and precise. Costa played as a right winger and made a few good runs down the sideline. She also made good recoveries in the middle of the field and near the touchline. Rabi led the Gaels attack and almost put her team on the board. It was really difficult to get past the stubborn Newman defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up for HC Jard Lui and the Gaels is to reflect on the season and have players prepare for the upcoming club season. As for HC John Gilson and the Cardinals, they play their semifinal match against #3 seed Sonoma Academy on Tuesday (2/25/25). If I had to choose one underdog to win a postseason championship, it would be the Cardinals. Outstanding players, excellent coaches, and impressive team chemistry are the ticket to winning a title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["111113"],"_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-67bb9ce305254"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rendino played primarily as a midfielder and had some really good passing combinations, which also resulted in putting scores on the board. She found players in open spaces and made quick, decisive passes. Her calm presence and high soccer IQ helped to keep attacking fluidity and make it difficult and less predictable to defend against. She is also on the Panama National U17 and U20 teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["111112"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":280480,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67bb9ce3052d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pearson scored the first goal for the Cardinals. She moved up with the count attack and from the penalty box area. She mainly played as a CB and helped defensive 3 get a clean sheet. Her anticipation and calculative challenges kept the opposing offense in check. She played really well, switching off with her other center backs. She plays club soccer for Santa Rosa United ECNL.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["266127"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":280478,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-67bb9ce30533e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She stopped multiple quality shots on goal. She anticipated well and cut off runners slipping between the defensive line. Her quick processing and reactions put her in the right places to make those saves. She's definitely one of the reasons why the Cardinals are a force to be reckoned with in this tournament. She plays club soccer for Santa Rosa United ECNL.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":280481,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='288136' first='Sylvia' last='Fok']","_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":"5'2u0022","_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":"Dublin","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='278035' first='Mustang' last='SC ECNL']","_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-67bb9ce3053d3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She played up top and made some really nice passes to get players into high-percentage scoring range. Her passes were quick and precise. She made a really good run just outside of the 18 and got past 3 players, but was stopped by the last defender. Fok participated in the US Club Soccer National Identification Program (ID2). She might be a U.S. soccer call-up in the future. She plays club soccer for [program_tooltip program_id='278035' first='Mustang' last='SC ECNL'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":280482,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Julianna Costa","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'4u0022","_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":"Dublin","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Dublin United ","_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-67bb9ce30545b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Costa played as a right winger and made a few good runs down the sideline. She also made good recoveries in the middle of the field and near the touchline. Her quick runs and hard challenges near the touchline made it difficult for the attack to come from her side. She plays club soccer for Dublin United.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":280484,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Yusra Rabi","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'5u0022","_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":"Dublin","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Mustang 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-67bb9ce3054dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><br>Rabi led the Gaels attack and almost put her team on the board. It was really difficult to get past the stubborn Newman defense. She had a couple of quality shots on goal. If one of those got through the crowd, it would have definitely erupted. She applied high pressure up top during the second half in hopes of jumping on a Cardinals mistake in the back. She plays club soccer for Mustang FC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1893128081185087512","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1893128081185087512 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1893130871919780149">https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1893130871919780149</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1893338187847868913","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1893338187847868913 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1893145611186151834">https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1893145611186151834</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1893185675043676217">https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1893185675043676217</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1892981725791179019","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1892981725791179019 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->