- AHS JV Girls Soccer vs Hammond High School
  10/16/08-AHS JV Girls Soccer vs Hammond High School...For some reason, a winning season always seems short. It was just a while ago that the team, parents and fans took that excursion into the Maryland countryside to play our first regular season game against Francis Scott Key High School. And here we are playing our final game of the season. And what a season it’s been for the AHS JV Girls Soccer team!! The AHS team played some incredible games, won many by huge goal differences and out-scored others that we simply had to beat. It all points to a team that developed great chemistry, skills, communication and a burning desire to win. All of those traits were on display in the final game against Hammond High where the team won by a score of 7 to 0. There was tremendous pressure on the opponent from the opening kick-off as all offensive positions on the AHS team moved forward and kept the ball in the opponent’s half. There were beautiful crosses from Tessa Scheckelhoff from the right field and shots on goal by Christina Downs from the left wing. Alex Fodel, Megan Johnson, Parisa Ayers and Ericka Rocke also took several shots from the top of the eighteen. Emily Pigott dribbled up from defense to threaten the goalie with a very powerful shot on goal that just skimmed the crossbar. Rebecca Leopold, realizing that the defensive position became very boring due to our total control of the midfield, beat several Hammond players up the middle and took a scorcher from the right of the eighteen that went just over the crossbar. The demolition of the Hammond team started ten minutes into the game when Katie Durso shook the back of the net from a cross by Christina Downs. The next two goals were delivered by Brianna Tinkle who was so relentless in her pursuit of goals; she scored both goals within four minutes. Her first goal was scored on a rebound pass from Sarah Renehan and her second, on a pass from Tessa. Rebecca Leopold was determined to shake off that boredom in defense by dribbling past three Hammond players and scoring the fourth goal, five minutes before the end of the first half. The second half started with the same extreme pressure in the opponent’s half as the first. In short order, Michele Hart made a beautiful short pass to Sara Renehan at the top of the six who immediately found the back of the net. The final goal was scored by Alex Fodel with a powerful right-footed shot from a pass by Ericka from left field. Our goalie Kimiya Memarzadeh had such an easy afternoon, she was subbed and allowed to play offense while Megan tended goal. Few penetrations into our half resulted in any threats on goal. The defense, which at times included Raven Rich, Allison Morton, Desiree Bodziony, Alex Fodel, Emily Pattillo, Rebecca Leopold and Emily Pigott did an awesome job containing the opponent’s attacks. Midfielders: Christina Downs, Megan Johnson, Michele Hart, Katie Durso and Ericka Rocke kept up the pressure by finding their targets with accurate passes. The entire team played an excellent game - a fitting end to a successful season. The team had 13 shots on goal, 5 serious threats, 3 free kicks and 5 corners. DID YOU KNOW? Second Sweeper The concept of having the goalkeeper push up to the edge of the Penalty Box (or even farther) when your team is pushed up on the attack so he can kick away long through balls (or long cleared balls) that the other team might kick into the open space behind the Full Backs. This can work very well in youth soccer on a larger field (e.g., U-10 or U-12) because the kids can only kick the ball 25-35 yards in the air; thus, the goalkeeper doesnt have to worry as much about getting kicked over as a high school goalkeeper would.

- AHS JV Girls Soccer vs Mt Hebron High School
  10/14/08-AHS JV Girls Soccer vs Mount Hebron HS...When the Mt. Hebron team scored just five minutes after kickoff, it appeared that the AHS team was facing a surprisingly ferocious late-season battle. But the AHS team did not panic. They stayed focused on their game plan and equalized five minutes later when Parisa Ayers made a beautiful cross from the right middle of the 18 to Michele Hart who beat the opponent’s goalie with a precision shot. But the score did not remain even for long. A few minutes after our equalizing goal, Rebecca Leopold kicked a free kick, awarded from an offside call, to Mary Marshall who wasted no time bending the back of the net to move the team ahead of Mt. Hebron. But the opponent was not about to give up that easily and after a few minutes of play, equalized with their second goal. That’s when the AHS team kicked into high gear and turned up the pressure to wreck havoc in the opponent’s midfield and defense. On a free kick from Rebecca from the right of the eighteen, Brianna Tinkle made an opening at the top of the six and fired a rocket that the goalie had no chance of saving. We were now ahead by one and just getting started. Brianna again received a cross from the right field, this time from Tessa Scheckelhoff and skillfully slipped the ball past the Mt.Hebron’s goalie. The fifth goal came seconds from the end of the first half when Amy Nellis crossed a beautiful ball from the left and Desiree Bodziony, who had been frequently threatening the opponent’s goalie, accurately placed the ball between the uprights. The last AHS goal came when Raven Rich took possession of a rebound from a Mt. Hebron free kick, passed to Parisa Ayers who once more beat the opponent’s goalie. There was a lot of pressure on the opponent’s defense from Mary Marshall, Christina Downs, Katie Durso, Michele Hart, Megan Johnson, Brianna Tinkle, Sara Renehan, Allison Morton, and Ericka Rocke. Crosses were coming from both the left and right fields with several Raiders blasting the Mt. Hebron goalie with threatening shots. The defense with Rebecca Leopold, Emily Pigott, Emily Pattillo, Alex Fodel and Raven Rich made control of the back line and midfield look easy with their accurate passing and abilities to counter the opponent’s uncoordinated attacks. In a few instances where the opponent successfully penetrated our danger zone, they were unable to score due to incredibly poor shooting on our goal, a couple of times to an open goal! The AHS team clearly dominated the game. The final score was AHS = 6, Mt. Hebron = 2. The AHS team took 17 shots on goal, 7 of which were real threats, kicked 4 free kicks, 3 corners and our goalie made 3 saves. DID YOU KNOW? Shoulder Charge (aka Fair Charging). A type of tackle which can be legally used to try to win (i.e., gain possession of) the ball. To be legal, it: (a) cannot take place from behind (b) is only permitted within playing distance (i.e., 3 feet) of the ball (c) cannot be violent or dangerous (d) must be intended to win the ball & not just to knock down the opponent (e) must be shoulder to shoulder (not to the opponents chest or back) with the arms (especially elbows) close to the body (f) the player must have at least one foot on the ground

- AHS V Girls Soccer vs Hammond High School
  10/16/08-AHS V Girls Soccer vs Hammond HS...The final game of the regular season was as exciting as the first for the AHS Varsity team. Anticipating a tough game because the Hammond team won the game against a rival team that beat us, the AHS team was prepared both physically and mentally. Everyone seemed pumped up and at the opening kick-off; the aggressive AHS offense moved the ball through the opponent’s midfield, putting pressure on the Hammond defense. The AHS midfielders took control of the midfield, allowing them to make beautiful, crisp passes to the wings and forwards. The team won most 50/50 balls, giving our offense many opportunities for shots on goal. On one of Allie Mitzner’s dangerous throw-ins, Rachel Aronchick rocked the crossbar and on the rebound, Julia Nicholson beat the goalie and found the back of the net. That goal energized the team even more and with three minutes to go in the half, Rachel Aronchick received a pass from midfield, passed- through to DiAndra Rocke and as the Hammond goalie came off her line in an attempt to narrow the angle of the attack, DiAndra slipped the ball around her and into the net. We were now ahead by two goals and the team’s play reflected cool confidence going into the half. The offense and attacking midfielders were having an excellent game. Rachel Johnson, Lizzy Parr, Allie Mitzner, Amadi Phillips, Talisa Henry, Emily Baron, Joni Pohutsky, Bridgette Snyder, Julia Nicholson were in excellent form, finding forwards Rachel and DiAndra with accurate passes. On several occasions, midfielders were able to beat the defenders and take shots on goal. As if to reciprocate, Rachel Aronchick received a through-pass from DiAndra from the top of the eighteen and rocketed a shot to the back of the net to score the third goal for AHS. In one of the rear threats on our goal, goalkeeper Amy Weinberg made an incredible save when an opponent penetrated our danger zone and took a powerful shot from the top of the eighteen. Amy’s lightening quick reflexes deflected the ball around the right upright. The defense with Jess Kobren, Emily Bode, Kelly Renehan, Katie Mann, Ayanna Carter and Adriana Vitagliano as usual kept firm control of the backfield. Several attempted attacks were stopped with good, solid defensive maneuvers. The fourth goal was scored by an alert Divya Chandra on a deflection by Julia from a corner kick by Rachel Aronchick. The fifth and final goal was scored by Amadi Phillips. The play started as a pass from Rachel to DiAndra who flicked a side pass to Amadi who wasted no time finding the back of the net. The final score was AHS = 5 Hammond = 0. The team kicked 5 corners, 7 free kicks, made 10 shots on goal and 6 serious threats. Goalie Amy made 5 saves. Injured List: Kelly Mondoor – Hope you recover soon. To the seniors on the team: DiAndra Rocke, Emily Baron, Rachel Aronchick, Jessica Kobren, Kelly Mondoor and Rachel Johnson – your teammates, parents and fans of the AHS Varsity Girls Soccer team wish you all every success in your future career. We will miss you all!!

- AHS V Girls Soccer vs Mount Hebron High School
  10/14/08 - AHS V Girls Soccer vs Mount Hebron HS...The pace of this game was fast and furious and as if to avenge the bloodbath visited upon their JV sister team by our own JV team, the Mt. Hebron Varsity team played a tough and sometimes physical game. To underscore that point, two players on the opponent’s team were awarded yellow cards for unnecessary roughness. But the AHS team was not about to be intimidated, focusing instead on moving the ball out to the wings, containing the defense and shooting on goal. The offense which at times included Rachel Aronchick, DiAndra Rocke, and Divya Chandra and supported by attacking midfielders Emily Baron, Amadi Phillips, Talisa Henry, Joni Pohutsky, Bridgette Snyder, Allie Mitzner, Lizzy Parr and Julia Nicholson created some interesting scoring opportunities. Lizzy took a rocket shot from six yards beyond the top of the eighteen, but it just skimmed the crossbar. Talisa also fired a left-footed scorcher on target from the top of the eighteen, but it also sailed over the crossbar. With about ten minutes to go in the half, our goalie Amy Weinberg made an incredible save by blocking a shot taken by an attacker at close range. It appeared we were going into a scoreless half-time when Mt. Hebron scored with just four minutes to go. The team played well when the game resumed for the second half. Our offense continued to pressure the opponent’s midfield and defense. Our defense and defensive midfielders: Kelly Renehan, Adriana Vitagliano, Katie Mann, Jess Kobren, Ayanna Carter and Emily Bode continued to control the backfield with Kelly and Jess making several critical defensive plays. Katie, Ayanna, Adrianna and Emily through speed and skill countered many penetrations into our danger zone. The AHS goal was scored with a strong header by Rachel Aronchick on a beautiful cross from Joni Pohutsky. The game ended regular time in a tie and two ten-minute halves were played. No additional goals were scored in overtime. The AHS team had 6 free kicks, 3 corners, 12 shots on goal with 5 of them serious threats. Injured List: Kelly Mondoor suffered an injury to her calf and hopefully will be back for the playoffs. Get well Kelly!!