South Jersey Soccer:
PYAA Red Devils Place Second Pre-Season Tournament

Sunday, August 29, 1999

By Bob Beatrice
SJSports Special Correspondent

The PYAA Red Devils placed second over the weekend in the 12U division of the Blockbuster-TBAA Pre-Season Soccer Tournament. In their first game on Friday under the direction of new coaches Ed Grochowski and Sue Williams, PYAA played Winslow to a 0-0 tie. The Red Devil offense dominated most of the game but couldn't get the ball in the net. The defense was rarely tested, as Jessica Love recorded the shut-out in goal.

On Saturday morning, PYAA played West Deptford. No strangers to each other, (The Twisters came in first in their SJGSL division, with PYAA 2nd last season. West Deptford won both meetings.) the Red Devil offense was once again dominating, and once again it couldn't put the ball in the net. The Twisters scored late in the second half on a ball that squirted through the keeper's legs and was knocked home by a crashing forward. West Deptford won 1-0.

On Sunday, PYAA needed a victory and a little help to secure second place. The offense controlled the game from the opening tap and finally scored on a crossing pass that was knocked in by Shayla Hall. The score went to 2-0 early in the second half as a TBAA defender tried to clear a ball and scored on her own goal. Within minutes, the Red Devils added another goal as Shayla Hall made a couple of evasive moves and scored her second of the day. The final whistle blew and PYAA had won 3-0.

As the team watched West Deptford and Winslow play on the field next to them, PYAA became the Twisters' biggest fans. As long as Winslow didn't tie or win, PYAA had second place. West Deptford scored a late goal to go up 2-0 and take first place. PYAA had second, only giving up 1 goal in 3 games.

Congratulations and good luck in the season!

The PYAA Red Revils are as follows:   Suzanne Williams, Jessica Love, Melissa Love, Deanna Lucci, Shayla Hall, Rachel Beatrice, Krystal Reeve, Melissa Paolini, Sam Jacoby, Katie Gallagher, Jill Kneib, Jill Stengel, Christine Rosen, Patricia McHugh, Megan Lovitz, and Victoria Hickman.