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*RFC '89 - Team Page- Additional Team Information*
2007 Blue Chip Showcase - Apr 27-29
2007 CASL Shootout - Dec. 14-16
2007 Dallas Cup - April 1-8
2007 Jefferson Cup - March 17-18
2007 Potomac Memorial Day Trnmt - May 26-28
2007 Score at the Shore-Greensboro - July 21-24
2007 Surf Cup - Aug 4-7
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Oxley
Mar 20, 2006 After only two weeks of the annual experience known as “High School Soccer” the toll is already beginning to show on RFC 89. With no fewer than six players having to sit out or have their playing time severely limited due to injuries picked up in High School training or matches and nearly every other player suffering from fatigue and overtraining, the RFC 89 side valiantly fought through the weekend to win the Prestigious Jefferson Cup in the U-16 Elite Division. Ironically, it was the key and timely performances of many of these injured players that helped secure the Championship.
In the first match on Saturday, RFC met Lower Dauphine SA United Excel (EPA) on a high school sized field at the Benedictine Athletic Complex. As is typical of a short, narrow pitch, the match lacked the true soccer play and spectator appeal with which RFC 89 is capable of playing. However, the side adapted quickly to the constraints of the pitch and controlled the match. Goals were scored by Suli Williams and Graham Oxley. The RFC defensive back four anchored by Ben Heller, new member Seth Goldman, Captain Ryan Rosenbaum and Eric Zuehsow who was just returning from shoulder separation, barely yielded even a hint of an opportunity to the opposing side. In the mid-field, new member Eli Hajjar and Rickie Burke were solid in controlling the area along with injured team members Daren Flitcroft and Williams.
Due to what can only be called a very inequitable scheduling anomaly, RFC next had to take on Eastern New York State Cup Champion BW Gottschee Inter on 90 minutes rest when the opposing side had had several hours to rest and recover after its first match. Fortunately this match took place at the St. Catherine’s Sports Complex which had full sized soccer pitches more to the benefit of a good side like RFC and spectators wanting to see true football.
Not only the high school related injuries but fatigue due to lack of recovery time became for of a factor in this match. In addition, Goalkeeper Scott Gamble had picked up a tournament ending injury in the first match when he had to come out of his box to clear a ball and was seriously hurt in the ensuing collision with an opposing player. Add one more to the injury list. Gamble was hospitalized after the match and required surgery on Monday. Gottschee scored first on a penalty kick that was awarded in a manner that can only be described as a “gift” from the center referee. The assistant referee attempted to waive it off and convince the center referee to disallow the foul called in the box, but the center must had wanted to save face and let the PK go forward. 1-0 Gottschee. However, as the first half came to an end, RFC earned a very nice goal with a combination of individual effort and pinpoint passing in the attacking third. Injured player Christian McLaughlin who had just entered the match to spell a player for the last few minutes of the half finished with a rocket goal just below the crossbar. One to one at the half.
In the second half, RFC stepped up their intensity even more. The RFC side took control of the possession and had a number of very nice buildups. On one, Williams took the ball into the box, spotted Oxley trailing to his left, dropped Oxley the ball who beat the keeper for the 2-1 lead and eventually the match. The win put RFC into the Semi-Finals.
On Sunday, RFC drew Parsippany from New Jersey. Back on the Benedictine high school sized field, RFC got off to a slow start being constrained by the narrow pitch. Parsippany scored first midway through the second half after a miscue in the back. However, that goal by the opposing side brought RFC to life. In the last 13 minutes of the match, RFC came back with three unanswered goals. The back line, the midfield and especially the forwards picked up the intensity to fever pitch to create opportunity after opportunity. The equalizer was scored by new member, Rahul Chaudhry. Then, injured Murnane scored the winner with the third goal by McLaughlin, sealing the victory. On to the finals.
The final match was at Striker Park on a true soccer pitch. The opponent was Charlotte Soccer Club 89 Blue (NC). By now, injuries and fatigue were really beginning to take their toll. However, the RFC side played with vigor and style. Adapting their style of play to a tactic recently inserted into their repertoire of options, RFC slacked off pressuring the North Carolina team in their own defensive third, but then controlled the midfield and attached into the holes created when Charlotte attempted to attack. The tactic worked perfectly as designed and the injured Murnane was able to break free down the middle and in a one on one with the goalkeeper, hit a rocket of a shot tucked in just below the bar.
The cost of the goal however was high. Murnane seriously re-injured his hip in the run and shot on goal. He had to be carried from the field and went directly from the match to the hospital. Fortunately, Murnane had neither broken bone nor dislocation, but did suffer a serious soft tissue injury. At this writing he still cannot walk and is being treated for debilitating pain. At a minimum, he will be out 2 to 3 weeks. However, it was his heroic effort that scored the lone RFC goal of the match forcing overtime and penalty kicks. Charlotte scored on a miscue in the six yard area off a direct kick. Despite high intensity of attack, controlling the time of possession and a greater number of opportunities, the score remained tied at the end of both regulation and the 15 minute golden goal overtime period. On to kicks from the penalty mark.
During penalty kicks, RFC goal keeper, Chris Bresnahan was simply incredible. Bresnahan stopped three penalty kicks, the third in the sixth, golden goal round of kicks. After Bresnahan’s third stop, Williams deftly put his kick away for the win.
Based upon the numerous injuries, fatigue due to High School and the four new members playing for the team for the first time, RFC 89 Coach and Club technical director had characterized the side’s participation in Jefferson Cup 2006 as a “training experience” in preparation for Dallas Cup next month. It was a very successful training session. “Perhaps,” said Hitt, “we should treat all of our tournaments as training experiences.”
Hitt went on to say that the Championship will ensure that RFC 89 will be in the top, Championship division at Jefferson Cup 2007 for the team’s crucial U-17 recruiting year.
RFC 89 will next appear in Dallas Cup 2006 to be followed by the Potomac Memorial Day Tournament. along with the Surf Cup in August. All three are Top 5 Tournaments.
Gregory Macnamara of RFC 89 Commits to play for Davidson College
August 24, 2007
RFC Defender Gregory Macnamara has made his commitment to play for the outstanding NCAA Division I soccer program at Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina.
RFC 89 Forward Graham Oxley selected to attend adidas ESP 2007
July 9, 2007
On July 4th, RFC 89 Forward Graham Oxley headed west to the campus of California Polytechnic University in Pomona, California (Cal Poly Pomona) the site of this year’s adidas Elite Soccer Program (adidas ESP).
| Squad | |
Goalkeepers | |
| 1 | |
| 3 | |
Defenders | |
| 21 | |
| 6 | |
| 13 | |
| 15 | |
| 12 | |
| 4 | |
| 8 | |
Midfield | |
| 25 | |
| 18 | |
| 16 | |
| 10 | |
Forwards | |
| 5 | |
| 11 | |
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