FC Surge Conclude 2016 WPSL Regular Season
FC Surge conclude its 2016 WPSL Regular Season schedule as they prepare to take on Florida Sol in regional playoffs that kicks off on Saturday. The Surge finished first in scoring with 21 goals in the Sunshine Region.
WPSL Soccer News: FC Surge, Miami’s highest level of women’s amateur soccer, concluded its Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) regular season schedule on July 10th finishing 4th in the 9-team Sunshine Region qualifying them for the Regional Playoffs on July 16-17th. The Surge earned 13.71 points off a record of 4 wins 3 losses and 1 rained out un-played game. They ranked first in goals scored (with 21) 2nd in goal differential (15) and 4th in goals against (6). Wins came against Florida Sol (6/11 3-1), Pinellas County United SC (6/19 2-0), Team Boca Blast (6/29 5-0), and Treasure Coast Dynamites (7/10 11-0), losing to the #1 Orlando Kicks (7/9 0-2), #2 Florida Krush (6/4 0-2), and Palm City FC (6/25 0-1).
Saturday’s match against the #1 Orlando Kicks was a 19-hour trip, including 2 hours stuck on I-95 in a broken down van and two lightning delays of 2¾ hours, finally kicking off at 9pm. Orlando went up early in the 10th minute on a long shot over the head of goalkeeper Johanna Rathbun and used their lead to try to slow down Surges offense making numerous substitutions and game delaying fouls. Surge did not let up their attack and controlled most of the 2nd half with several scoring chances. The defense was anchored by Rochelle Wimbush, UCF’s Bridget Callahan, April Perry and Ali DeVito.
In the final minute (of the 80 minute shortened game) Surge defender Perry placed a perfect corner kick to the head of 6’ 1” goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce (UM), Orlando’s keeper caught the ball while appearing to be over the goal line to everyone’s eyes except the referee. She sent the ball forward and it was kicked into Surge’s empty net for the 2nd score. UF’s Melanie Monteagudo was nominated Player of the Game by the Kicks while their goal scorer Macayla Edwards earned the nod from the Surge.
Sunday’s match in Port St Lucie saw a very tired but determined squad take on Treasure Coasts Dynamites and put on a scoring show (11-0). The goals came early and frequent starting with Monteagudo converting a PK in the 9th minute, midfielder Courtney Jenista knocking in a goal in the 15th minute off her own rebound, Monteagudo then assisted UM’s Gracie Lachowecki in the 25th and Perry in the 27th. The half concluded with Chrissy Gratz’s solo score in the 34th minute and Monteagudo in the 44th off an assist from reserve player Bailey DeVito (Broward College commit). The 2nd half continued in the same vein, with DeVito assisting forward Megan Dias in the 53rd minute, and Perry feeding Samantha Lujan (FAU) in the 74th. Gratz completed her hat trick with goals in the 76th and 78th minutes, while Monteagudo found her 3rd in the 81st minute off a ball from Jenista. Rathbun and American U commit Morgan Lang shared the shutout in goal. Monteagudo was again named Player of the Game while TCD’s Janay Campbell got the Surge’s nomination. Previous POG honors went to FAU’s Sophie Sanchez 6/4, Nicole Harris (Troy) 6/11, Christina Chang 6/19 & 6/25, and Gratz 6/29.
Regional playoffs have the Surge meeting Florida Sol on Saturday 7/16 in a 4v5 matchup. Winner moves on to face #1 seed Orlando Kicks on Sunday 7/17. Winner of that match (along with a 2nd team out of 2v3 game) earn the right to compete at South Division playoffs on 7/23-24 in Jacksonville. South Champion then travels to Columbus, Ohio on 7/30-31 for the WPSL Championship Final Four weekend.
Source/Photo Credit: FC Surge
