CUP U-15 Red Girls are State Cup Champions !!!
The Cincinnati United Premier U-15 Red girl’s team is the 2007 OSYSA State Cup Champions. The road to the championship was long and difficult but the girls stayed focused and disciplined as they overcame several injuries and even having a player red carded in the round of 8.
The journey began when they faced the U-15 Sycamore Arsenal in the State Cup play-in game April 19th. This match supplied an interesting challenge for the girls as the Arsenal roster was filled with friends, high school teammates and past club teammates. The match was a spirited well-played game by both sides. CUP prevailed 1-0 with the goal coming from Sammy Whitmore.
The round of 16 faced CUP verse the Ambassadors, out of Columbus. CUP won the match 2-1 with goals coming from Mollie Kuramoto and Lacie Oliver and an assist from Taylor Dearbaugh. The match itself was difficult but became even more challenging when several CUP players received injuries the weekend before while playing in the Midwest Regional League. The most severe injury occurred to Nicole Donnelly as she rolled her ankle and was unable to play for the remainder of the tournament. CUP was also without the services of Tess Akgunduz who had knee surgery back in March.
The round of 8 placed CUP against long time rival the Cardinals, out of Cincinnati. CUP won the match 1-0 when Mollie Kuramoto scored a great header off a cross from Sammy Whitmore. The CUP team defense kept the Cardinals offense in check and supplied the shutout needed to win the match. Kristen Pierce, Molly Allen, Alyssa Carmack and Mollie Kuramoto all anchored the back line for CUP.
CUP played the Cincinnati Classics in the round of 4. This game became extra difficult for CUP as their injuries still existed and one of their players received a red card in the previous match for a questionable tackle. This left CUP with only one sub for the match. CUP prevailed with another shutout and a nice goal from Stephanie Juillerat. Mary Allen, Sammy Whitmore, Taylor Dearbaugh, Ali Backscheider and Jessie Jarrett held the midfield for CUP by dictating the speed of play and helping preserve the needed shutout.
The final match placed CUP against COSA out of Columbus. This hard fought match only produced one goal, which was scored by Kaitlyn Buczek from a great assist by Ali Backscheider. The entire CUP team played well down the stretch to preserve the victory and become the 2007 State Cup Champions.
The old phrase “Defense brings Championships” was very appropriate for the CUP U-15 Red girls team. They only allowed one goal in the tournament and played four of their five matches to a shutout. These shutouts were in part because of the outstanding goal tending supplied by both Andi Marcis and Alexa Levick. These two talented goalkeepers split time 50/50 with Alexa playing the first half and Andi playing the second half.
The girls are coached by Head Coach Bob Muro and by CUP’s Executive Director Scott Rodgers. Bob wins his second State Cup Championship for CUP. His first came when he coached the U-18 boys in 1999.
CUP by winning the 2007 OSYSA State Cup Championship have earned a trip to Des Moines, Iowa and a chance to compete for the USYSA Region II Championship. Congratulations to the girls and Best of Luck in Regional.