ECNL NAT Playoffs – Match of the Day – Penn Fusion v FC Stars

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>USE THE PROMO CODE almasin30 for a discount on your first subscription</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was Day 4 of the National Playoffs in sunny San Diego. The 73-77 degree weather was much more bearable than it will be in a few weeks. This matchup pitted two 1st place regional champions, and the stakes were high as the winner would go on to the round of 16. This G06/07 match was definitely one of the most exciting games I've seen during my time at the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1941371523069247667","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/1941371523069247667 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Penn Fusion S.A. came in with a record of 18-1-1, and [program_tooltip program_id='283344' first='FC' last='Stars'] were undefeated at 15-0-0. Both teams won their first two matches of group play. It was relatively quiet for the first 27 minutes of the match, but [program_tooltip program_id='283344' first='FC' last='Stars'] opened up the scoring as [player_tooltip player_id='280841' first='Tennessee' last='Murphy'] made a sweet goal by bending her shot to the far post. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["23015"],"_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-6868cbae8a703"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Bucknell commit and 2024 All American opened up the scoring. Her cutback and a sweet left footed curving shot to the back netting was simply awesome. Her technique was smooth, precise, and calculative. One of the best goals I've seen in the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1941373953844658473","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/1941373953844658473 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moments later, Lydia Thornton of Penn Fusion responded by scoring off of a deflected cross to even the score. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["25903"],"_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-6868d3339b006"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Colgate commit played the ball well as a cross came in and a few players bumped the ball before she sent it to the back netting. Her anticipation and quick reaction didn't allow the goalkeeper to set her feet and her goal leveled the match at 1-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1941376102578127102","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/1941376102578127102 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just before the half, Maeve Theobald scored on a run down the middle, and she got it past the oncoming goalkeeper. The score at the half was 2-1, [program_tooltip program_id='283344' first='FC' last='Stars'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["22943"],"_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-6868d3339b064"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Dartmouth commit made a great run to the box, while slipping the ball past the incoming goalkeeper. Excellent speed, touch, and accuracy were keys to her success. This put [program_tooltip program_id='283344' first='FC' last='Stars'] up 2-1 at the half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1941377537185390975","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/1941377537185390975 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second half started with both teams making quality runs towards the 18, but the defenses seemed to have made adjustments. Penn Fusion got its equalizer goal off of a penalty kick. Nina Cantor received the ball in the penalty area and made a move to the outside to reset, but she was fouled inside the box. Keira Kemmerly, the Northwestern commit struck a low left shot to the corner to even the match at 2-2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["25863"],"_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-6868d3339b0ad"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Keira Kemmerly, the Northwestern commit struck a low left shot to the corner to even the match at 2-2. It was a solid shot with placement and power. The goalkeeper tried to reach for the shot, but it already went past her. Definitely a shot she has scored many times during practice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1941379416648712578","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/1941379416648712578 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goal #3 for Penn Fusion came off of a set piece. From about 35 yards out, the long ball pass was struck perfectly and the offense timed it correctly to get into scoring range. Maya Bruce helped her team win the match 3-2 and advance to the round of 16.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["115506"],"_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-6868d3339b0f1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Pittsburgh commit gave Penn the lead at 3-2. A set piece play was struck perfectly over the wall to a one-touch header by Maya. It completed this awesome set piece finish and pushed Fusion to the round of 16. Great concentration and timing was needed for such a finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1941380987876933775","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/1941380987876933775 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the players of the match was Nina Cantor. Although she did not get a goal in this match, she gave her team the penalty kick as she was dribbling inside the 18 before getting fouled. Her ability to provide high pressure and make great runs down the wing helped to soften up the defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["25957"],"_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-6868d3339b133"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Princeton commit had a solid match. She provided high pressure and made great runs down the wing. She Drew a PK to make the game level at 2-2. Her constant attack on goal helped to soften up the defense. Although she didn't get a goal in this match, her size, physicality, and quickness will easily transfer to the next level. She was one of the players of the match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1941383190989635621","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/1941383190989635621 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a great matchup by two awesome teams. Wishing these players the best as they move on to their college soccer journey.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->