South Jersey Soccer:
Lightning Strikes In Final for Vineland

Monday, May 31, 1999

By Jerry Amari
SJSports Special Correspondent

The Vineland Lightning U-12 girls traveling soccer team continued their winning ways in the 11th Annual Memorial Day Tournament. First the Lightning met a team from Deptford, also the "Lightning." Vineland won 2-1 in the opening match. Goals were scored by Traci Tomarroand and Kristina Brenner. Nina Montero and Katlyn Andrews played well in goal for Vineland.

Next the Lightning met the Blue Mist from Merchantville, NJ. Both teams battled through a scoreless first half. The Lightning finally wore down the Blue Mist with well planned offensive play. With ten minutes left in the match, Vineland's Ali Pindale scored the first goal of the game. Moments later Christina Brenner made the score 2-0 in favor of the Lightning. The Lightning defense of Erin Overdvest, Danielle Burns, and Jackie Barber turned away the last minute attempts by Merchantville to get on the scoreboard.

To get to the championship game, the Lightning had to beat the Air Invaders from the Atlantic United Soccer Club. The Lightning did not wilt in the summer-like heat. They shot down the Air Invaders on goals by Nina Montero, Regina Hartman, Kristina Brenner and Alisson Pindale in the 6-1 blowout of the Pomona, NJ squad.

In the championship game of their Division, the Lightning met the Rainbows from Radnor, PA. In a well played match, Radnor appeared to have the upper hand in the opening minutes. Vineland withstood the challenge and had shots on goal by Kristina Brenner and Danielle Bergamo. Twelve minutes into the match the Rainbows got the ball into the net for a 1-0 lead. The teams traded positions as the half wound down. With nine minutes left in the half, the Lightning midfield punched the ball upfield to a speedy Kristina Brenner who raced across the 18 yard line with the ball. Brenner's blast zipped by the diving Rainbow goalie into the net to tie the game.

The heat seemed to take its toll on the players as neither team could capitalize on scoring chances. Defensive fullback Danielle Burns made a timely save of a loose ball in front of the Vineland net. Goalie Katie Andrews leaped for another great stop against Radnor. The match went into two overtime periods and neither team scored. Now the match would be decided on penalty kicks. Radnor made their first attempts and when Vineland missed its fourth attempt, the championship was won by Radnor. The Lightning had a great tournament and undefeated regular season of which to be proud.

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