Philadelphia SC Coppa Rage defense carries the day in cup semi

The Philadelphia SC Coppa Rage 2005 girls team is armed with many attacking weapons but in their 1-0 state cup semifinal win on Mother’s Day at Holy Family University, they also showed the strength of their defense in keeping a talented attacking team in Warrington SC United off the board. The Rage, which finished just short of a USYS national title last year, are trying to make it three state cup titles in a row having already qualified for nationals through the National League. Below is a look at some players that stood out from both teams in Sunday’s semifinal. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="45394" first="Gianna" last="Rivera"], Forward, PSC Coppa Rage</strong> Rivera (pictured above) scored the game’s only goal in the early going off a corner kick from [player_tooltip player_id="45376" first="Ava" last="DeGeorge"] but was impressive throughout with her strength on the ball and hold-up play. The gusty wind somewhat limited the opportunities in the attack in the second half for the hosts but the Archbishop Ryan sophomore was still a noticeable standout all the same. [caption id="attachment_45040" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/05/6N4A2110-crop-1297x852-1652473361.jpg"><img class="wp-image-45040 size-medium" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/05/6N4A2110-crop-1297x852-1652473361-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="30309" first="Camryn" last="Williams"]</strong>[/caption]<strong>[player_tooltip player_id="30309" first="Camryn" last="Williams"], Forward, Warrington United</strong> Williams was a danger throughout both with her pace and her ability to hold the ball and distribute to teammates. Had she been a little more selfish she might have been able to find an equalizer but if Warrington was going to score it was likely going to go through the Central Bucks East junior as the focal point in the attack. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="45376" first="Ava" last="DeGeorge"], Midfielder, PSC Coppa Rage</strong> DeGeorge set up the game’s only goal off a corner kick and created a slew of other opportunities through dead balls, including a free kick from a dangerous spot that hit off the top of the crossbar. The Archbishop Wood sophomore’s ability to work in tight spaces was also impressive. [caption id="attachment_45041" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-45041 size-medium" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/05/6N4A1977-300x200.jpg" alt="Megan Steinbach" width="300" height="200" /> <strong>Megan Steinbach</strong>[/caption] <strong>Megan Steinbach, Midfielder, Warrington United</strong> Steinbach was battling throughout trying to find a way through a tough PSC defense. The Lansdale Catholic junior’s relentless pursuit of the ball and creativity helped create some chances - including a ball played to the far post Williams was so close to getting to - but the final ball just wasn’t there on the day. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="41028" first="Isabella" last="Brown"], Midfielder, PSC Coppa Rage</strong> Brown was able to pick her way through the Warrington defense with intelligent passing on one twos and darting runs into space. She nearly found a goal on a heads up play in the first half to put a ball deflected off the post back on frame but the Springside Chestnut Hill junior was denied by the Warrington keeper. [caption id="attachment_45042" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-45042 size-medium" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/05/7Z3A5132-300x200.jpg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id="45395" first="Emma" last="Levin"]" width="300" height="200" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="45395" first="Emma" last="Levin"]</strong>[/caption] <strong>Jamie Webb, Defender, Warrington United</strong> Webb had a lot to handle defensively against a PSC team with so many attacking weapons, but the North Penn HS junior was strong one-v-one defending and in her recovery runs, clearing a would-be goal off the line. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="45395" first="Emma" last="Levin"], Defender, PSC Coppa Rage</strong> While the whole back line for the Rage deserves plaudits for keeping the zero under less than ideal conditions, the Hatboro Horsham sophomore deserves a shoutout for her calmness in the back and putting in a strong and consistent performance on the day in one-v-one duels and clearing her lines.