Rebels 2018 Platinum Battles Hard at 2014 Summer Classic - Cedar Lane Park, June 7 & 8.

Rebels 2018 Platinum came prepared to work hard this weekend facing the highest level of competition to date. 

First up at the Summer Classic was Phantastix Purple, a tough and talented team from PA.  Chloe led the scoring with a hat-trick, followed by Kayla, Olivia and Grace with two goals each.  Scoring went back and forth for much of the game.  Rebels’ defense played very strong as did both Jessie and Danielle in goal.  Danielle had a great interception late in the game to break-up an offensive drive. Second half goals came from Margi, Maggie and Julia. Although the field score indicated a Phantastix victory by one (12-11), the parents’ side-line score keepers had it as a 12-12 tie, with the tying score coming late in the second half from Olivia! Annie Ardizonne, a second grade teacher equipped with a lacrosse scoring ap, had been diligent about accurate scoring throughout the game so we can be rather confident that was a tie game. 

There was not a lot of time between games but the girls had time to cheer on the 2016 Black team and sing Happy Birthday to the DeRose trips, Kayla, Taylor and Grace, before facing Long Island Liberty Black.

This Long Island team was quick and moved the ball well.  The girls played tough and were down by one at the half.  Early scores came from Anna B, Kendall K and Maggie who ended the day with three goals.  Also scoring were Haley, Kayla, Chloe and Taylor.  Goals from 7 different girls spread the excitement to everyone!  LI Liberty pulled away a bit in the second half, but both the Rebels offense and defense hung tough and both Danielle and Jessie turned away a number of shots throughout the game. The LI Liberty took the game at 12 to 9, but the girls made a gritty showing against a talented team.

Sunday began with Heros and a desire to post a convincing win in response to a disappointing loss earlier in the year and even-up the 2014 season.  Rebels started strong with a great feed from Maggie to Chloe to put up the first score.  As in the previous meeting, the two teams were evenly matched with Rebels taking a one goal lead into the half on goals from Chloe (2), Anna B (2) Anna L and Taylor and two nice saves by Jessie. Heros stepped it up in the second half and posted six goals.  Rebels countered with three (Grace, Taylor and Kayla) complimented with a nice save by Danielle. Heros got the win with an 11-9 final score.  This Rebels team has the talent, speed and toughness to come out on top against Heros – third time will be the charm!

The weekend ended with TLC Red.  This game proved to be the most physical of the weekend – plenty of aggressive play by both teams.  Chloe started the scoring with a nice fast-break and well positioned shot. I suspect the TLC goalie checked the number of the shooter with that shot.  This score was followed by a great “heads-up” feed by Chloe to Taylor for a beautiful goal.  Late in the first half, there was a quick flurry of shots taken on Jessie – all successfully turned away! First half scoring ended with a goal by Anna B and a 5 -3 TLC lead.  Second half play was equally physical and hard fought.  Chloe led the scoring with two more goals (posting her second hat-trick of the weekend.)  A nice feed from Maggie to Taylor led to another Rebels goal and one more score by Anna B capped Rebels scoring.  Danielle made two critical saves and a nice interception for a turnover in the second half.  TLC posted four goals in the second half leading to a 9 – 7 TLC victory.   

The girls worked hard over the weekend to contain great competition.  As Coach Haight said, “the girls should hold their heads high” for the way they played.  We are looking forward to this weekend’s tournament back in Bel Air for the Lax Inception where the girls will have a second chance against Phantastix Purple.  There will also be a big break between the two games on Sunday so we look forward to our “team fun” moms, Jackie Leach and Maria Bowers, planning something for the team.