Tournament Game #1: Arlington Express 3, Springfield Surge 1
In an icy showcase game, the Express came out on fire jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first half. Clare Terpstra scored two magnificent goals and Alejandra Espinoza added one of her own. Hayes O’Connor hit a beautiful free kick that found Clare’s head for the prettiest goal of the evening. The team let down a bit in the second half, losing the half 1-0 but it was certainly a nice way to start the tournament off with a big win!
Tournament Game #2: Burke Fusion 2, Arlington Express 0
The Express struggled mightily with keeping possession of the ball and the Fusion were able to score off of a corner kick and then a free kick. Playing against a very good team, the girls showed courage and you could see the disappointment in their faces at the end of the game as some of our players were in tears. The players knew that they had to keep an even keel because they would be playing in a tournament semifinal the next morning.
Tournament Semifinals: Arlington Express 1, Springfield Freedom 0 (3-1 PK’s)
The Express defeated a very tough opponent from WAGS D3 to reach the finals of the tournament! In a fast and furious game that left both teams visibly exhausted, the two teams were tied at zero after overtime. Katja Butts, Carol Balshaw, and Molly McGovern all netted penalty kicks to send the Express to the finals!
Tournament Championship: Arlington Express 1, Burke Fusion 0
Avenging a loss from just 24 hours prior, the Express continued their tremendous team defense led by goalkeeper Alika Johnston and defenders Katja Butts, Vasthy Delgado, Clare Terpstra, and Karen Sible. The midfield was controlled beautifully by Molly McGovern, Lindsey Treweek, Claire Bruno, Molly Ramey, Iliana Molina, and Alejandra Espinoza. Fantastic attacking play was displayed throughout the game by Carol Balshaw, Madeleine Greenfield, and Courtney Herbolsheimer. After Carrie Dawkins got fouled hard in the box midway through the second half, Claire Bruno netted the penalty kick that gave the Express the championship. The Express were the only girls team from Arlington to win the Arlington Spring Invitational in 2007.
VYSA State Cup, 1st Round: Springfield Spirit 1, Arlington Express 0
Missing three players, the Express were unable to advance to the second round of State Cup. The team will use this loss as motivation to do better in our next State Cup in Fall 2007. Although all players and coaches expressed disappointment at the result, we kept an even keel and got ready for our next game because that is what good teams do.
ODSL Game #1: Arlington Express 3, Fauquier Flames 1
Returning to action one day after a heartbreaking State Cup loss, the Express avenged a loss from Fall 2006 by defeating the team that finished 2nd in Division 1 last season. Vasthy Delgado got fouled hard in the box and Katja Butts calmly netted the penalty kick. Courtney Taylor, in her first league game with the Express, scored a nice goal to put the Express up 2-0 at half. The team relaxed a bit and gave up a goal to let the Flames back into the game. There were a few tense moments until Molly McGovern’s rocket off of a sweet pass from Alejandra Espinoza put the game away for good.
ODSL Game #2: Arlington Express 2, Great Falls Majestic 0.
The Express remained undefeated in Division 1 scoring a goal in each half to put away the Majestic. Carol Balshaw finished nicely with her left foot off of a sweet pass from Vasthy Delgado. Vasthy later got a goal of her own to put the game away. The defense led Alika Johnston, Hayes O’Connor, Carrie Dawkins, Karen Sible, and Katja Butts played the entire game to preserve the shutout.
ODSL Game #3: Arlington Express 0, DC/Stoddert Storm 0
The Express played fairly well but just could not finish offensively. The defense recorded its second shutout in a row to keep the Express in 1st place.
ODSL Game #4: Arlington Express 2, Fredericksburg Impact 0
The Express defeated the defending Division 1 champion and avenged a loss from Fall 2006. Courtney Herbolsheimer’s two splendid goals, one in each half, were the difference makers in this game. Molly Ramey filled in at goalkeeper at half time after Alika Johnston went down with an injury and did a tremendous job to help the team. The defense led by Katja Butts, Karen Sible, Carrie Dawkins, and Vasthy Delgado recorded their third shutout in a row. The two starting outside midfielders, Claire Bruno and Lindsey Treweek played the full 70 minutes! Iliana and Molly McGovern shared the role of center midfield beautifully and Madeleine Greenfield, Courtney Taylor, and Alejandra Espinoza created many problems for the Impact defense.
ODSL Game #5: Arlington Express 1, Springfield Surge 0
The Express remained undefeated in Division 1 and recorded its FOURTH shutout in a row! Courtney Herbolsheimer’s corner kick found Lindsey Treweek on the back post for the game winner in the fifth minute of the game. Hayes O’Connor, Carol Balshaw, Alejandra Espinoza, Madeleine Greenfield, and Courtney Taylor also created great scoring opportunities. The center midfield, as usual, was controlled beautifully by Molly McGovern and Iliana Molina. Molly Ramey and Claire Bruno shared the majority of the time at left midfield and did a terrific job. The defense, again led by Alika Johnston, Katja Butts, Vasthy Delgado, Carrie Dawkins, and Karen Sible allowed only TWO......yes TWO....corner kicks the entire game!
ODSL Game #6: Arlington Express 2, Braddock Road NV United 1
The Express took another huge step towards the Division 1 championship, earning the three points they needed in this game. Carol Balshaw came off the bench to score one of the biggest goals of the season with two minutes left in the first half to cap off a dominant first half for the Express. Playing against a stiff wind in the second half, the team let down a bit and gave up three corner kicks in a row. The last one was costly, as the ball took an unlucky bounce and found the back of our net. A big credit to our players for keeping an even keel during this time and continuing to fight to find a way to win. Lindsey Treweek returned the favor from a day earlier to Courtney Herbolsheimer....this time it was Lindsey’s corner that found Courtney on the back post to give the Express the huge victory!
ODSL Game #7: Arlington Express 2, Fauquier Sharks 1
Courtney Herbolsheimer and Courtney Taylor each scored goals and Alika Johnston had two fantastic saves in one-on-one situations to highlight a come-from-behind win for the Express. The defensive starters, Katja Butts, Vasthy Delgado, Carrie Dawkins, and Karen Sible all played the full 70 minutes and had a solid performance. Lindsey Treweek, Molly Ramey, Madeleine Greenfield, and Hayes O’Connor all did a fantastic job at the two outside midfield positions. Iliana Molina and Molly McGovern controlled center midfield well and Alejandra Espinoza and Clare Terpstra did a fantastic job at attacking center mid. Carol Balshaw gave the Sharks defenders many problems which helped Taylor and Herbolsheimer get their goals. ONE MORE GAME TO WIN UNTIL WE ARE ODSL DIVISION 1 CHAMPIONS!!!
ODSL Game #8: Arlington Express 3, Alexandria Inferno 1
The Express completed their undefeated season and became champions of ODSL Division 1, a goal that the team has been working towards for nearly three years! The players' dedication and committment to one another has paid off in a big way for the entire group. The team dominated this game from the opening whistle and Clare Terpstra was able to finish the first corner kick of the game for the Express' first goal. Late in the first half, Molly McGovern led a counterattack that ended up with Lindsey Treweek scoring a terrific goal from the right wing. The defense led by Hayes O'Connor, Katja Butts, Vasthy Delgado, Carrie Dawkins, and Karen Sible did not let the Inferno have many offensive chances at all. Molly Ramey, Courtney Taylor, and Claire Bruno all dominated their opponents from the left midfield position. Carol Balshaw, Courtney Herbolsheimer, Madeleine Greenfield and Alejandra Espinoza wore out the opposing defense with their aggressive attacking play and had several good chances to score. Iliana Molina played perhaps her best game of the season and almost scored in the opening minutes on a beautiful left footed shot. Carol hit a pretty curling shot with her left foot that hit the crossbar and bounced out......but right on top of Clare Terpstra's foot who scored nicely (Clare's b-day present to Carol?). Good job Express and congratulations on being ODSL Division 1 Champions!
