Challenge 08 top Albion in the ECNL H-Town Showdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The club soccer season is underway and teams from around the country are competing in their respective leagues in the first of several months of traveling and playing.</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 17, we followed the ECNL Girls H-Town Showdown between the Albion Hurricanes FC and Challenge SC 08 teams at the Campell Road Sports Park, in Houston.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/11/ecnl-girls-texas-albion-hurricanes-08-vs-challenge-sc-08-photos/">Albion Hurricanes FC 08 vs. Challenge SC 08 - Photos</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The match started one hour later than what was originally scheduled and it seemed that the weather delay disrupted both teams, which struggled to create chances in the first half. Challenge continued to dominate possession in the second half and they scored the first goal when [player_tooltip player_id='26454' first='Amelya' last='Boedeker'] attempted a one-touch, left-shooted shot from outside the penalty box and saw the wind strongly alter the ball's path, sending it to the back of the net. Later, a penalty kick was called for Challenge and [player_tooltip player_id='112761' first='Logan' last='Reich'] converted it, sealing their 2-0 victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Time is over here as <a href="https://twitter.com/Challenge08ECNL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Challenge08ECNL</a> beat <a href="https://twitter.com/AHFC08ECNL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AHFC08ECNL</a> 2-0 on the road. Photos and Match Report coming up soon at <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepSoccerTX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepSoccerTX</a>. <a href="https://t.co/v9f5MTSfOv">pic.twitter.com/v9f5MTSfOv</a></p>&mdash; Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1858257895629934994?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The road win gave Challenge their first victory in the Texas Conference this season - the team is now ranked 15th with five points (one win, six losses, two ties). Albion are tenth with ten points (two wins, three losses, four ties).</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_player":["112761"],"_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-673bd9eb27052"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing as a box-to-box midfielder, Reich was of great importance for Challenge's victory. She was very active in the center of the field, using her size to win duels and taking good care of the ball. In the second half, she played closer to the opposing penalty box and her presence there helped the team create more chances as she engaged in some nice combination plays and distributed the ball well. Reich showed great confidence by asking to take a penalty kick in a critical moment of the match and converted it, paving the way for her team's victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Goal <a href="https://twitter.com/Challenge08ECNL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Challenge08ECNL</a> ! <a href="https://twitter.com/reichlogan2?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@reichlogan2</a> takes a PK, <a href="https://twitter.com/AllyAllen08?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AllyAllen08</a> gets a hand on it, but can't stop the shot. 2-0 <a href="https://t.co/swasIXx6M9">pic.twitter.com/swasIXx6M9</a></p>&mdash; Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1858251485047361755?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["26454"],"_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-673bd9eb270b2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Boedeker had a very consistent performance, getting the job done from start to finish. As Challenge's defensive midfielder, she did a very good job of shielding the team's backline and won many duels in the center of the field. Boedeker also did a fine job with her distribution, helping her team move the ball around efficiently - in the second half, she ignited some dangerous transition plays with her smart passing. She was very lucky with the shot that resulted in Challenge's first goal, but at the same time was rewarded for her confidence to shoot from distance in a match that, up to that point, didn't have many chances for either side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["112758"],"_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-673bd9eb270f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The center back was one of the main reasons for Challenge's clean sheet, pairing well with [player_tooltip player_id='27318' first='Tyler' last='Weaver'] and stopping many attempts from Albion. Morawietz won almost every aerial duel she was involved and also defended well in space, thriving with her positioning and mobility. With Challenge dominating possession, she often stepped into the attacking half to support her team's offense and did a good job with short and diagonal passes. Morawietz was also very efficient with her set pieces, sending some dangerous long balls into Albion's penalty box.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/MorawietzKayla?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MorawietzKayla</a> sends the ball into the box but no <a href="https://twitter.com/Challenge08ECNL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Challenge08ECNL</a> player can make contact with it before <a href="https://twitter.com/AHFC08ECNL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AHFC08ECNL</a>'s GK <a href="https://twitter.com/AllyAllen08?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AllyAllen08</a>. <a href="https://t.co/KPppQQq2uj">pic.twitter.com/KPppQQq2uj</a></p>&mdash; Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1858238172024688661?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["26528"],"_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-673bd9eb27133"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing as a left winger/midfielder, Riley was very active and got involved in many of Challenge's offensive attempts. She played very high up on the attacking half, pinning the opposing outside back around the penalty box and helping create space for her teammates to operate. Riley made good decisions with the ball every time she had possession, taking good care of the ball and often finding teammates in good spots. She had some nice runs with the ball in the second half, when Challenge had the space to attack in transition, and almost scored with a beautiful shot from outside the penalty box that hit the crossbar. Riley also had a strong two-way game, dropping back to help her team defend and playing with good energy off the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Good 2-0 win yesterday over Albion. Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@grtorres</a> for attending!!<br>✨😌🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/Challenge08ECNL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Challenge08ECNL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ECNLgirls?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ECNLgirls</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ImCollegeSoccer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImCollegeSoccer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ImYouthSoccer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImYouthSoccer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepSoccer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepSoccer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TopDrawerSoccer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TopDrawerSoccer</a> <a href="https://t.co/LO5pjWM2h3">pic.twitter.com/LO5pjWM2h3</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='26528' first='Avery' last='Riley'] 2026 (@averyriley26) <a href="https://twitter.com/averyriley26/status/1858645422895419582?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["89311"],"_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-673bd9eb27170"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sanchez's intensity in midfield was one of the Albion's positives in the match, particularly in the second half. Playing as a box-to-box midfielder, she was very strong defensively, at times defending Challenge's main playmakers 1v1 and doing a solid job of stopping them. Her passing was also solid and she had arguably the team's best chance to score in the match, sending a powerful shot from distance into the crossbar. Sanchez's level dropped a little bit during the second half and Challenge took advantage of it to create and convert chances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":272846,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/11/IMG_2955.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-272846" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Albion Hurricanes FC G08 vs. Challenge SC G08</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["89586"],"_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-673bd9eb271bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite the defeat, Albion's center back duo of Dedmon and [player_tooltip player_id='27133' first='Nora' last='Jordan'] was among the team's top performers. The two defended the penalty box very well and only saw the opponents score in an unlikely shot from distance and a penalty kick that was called after an unlucky touch in the arm of a defender. Dedmon used her physicality to dominate opponents and remained efficient even in the final minutes, when she had to almost defend single-handedly as Albion charged forward for an equalizer. She had some good runs with the ball and displayed a strong presence in the penalty box in set pieces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/AHFC08ECNL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AHFC08ECNL</a> gets into <a href="https://twitter.com/Challenge08ECNL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Challenge08ECNL</a> in a corner kick but <a href="https://twitter.com/ChopDedmon2?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChopDedmon2</a>'s header doesn't hit the target. <a href="https://t.co/k6Ahh2xHJj">pic.twitter.com/k6Ahh2xHJj</a></p>&mdash; Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1858243096451895706?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["150822"],"_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-673bd9eb271fb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Camin's versatility and consistency were of great help for Albion during the match. Originally a midfielder, she started the match at right back and did a solid job there. Camin didn't find many opportunities to push forward, but protected her zone efficiently and took good care of the ball when she had possession. She moved to midfield during the second half and helped her team circulate the ball as they tried to find space to create chances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":272866,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/11/IMG_3026.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-272866" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Albion Hurricanes FC G08 vs. Challenge SC G08</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->