BOCA RATON, FL (August 12, 2008) –Schulz Academy took one step closer to qualifying two Girls’ teams to the USL Super Y-League North American Finals with key wins over the weekend. Paulina Speckmaier (’94) scored 5 goals and 1 assist in two games to help the U14 girls gain first place in the Southeast Division. Meanwhile, Donish Cole (’95) scored 3 goals and 2 assists to lead the U13 girls to level points atop their Divison with just 3 games remaining. Both the U13 and U14 Girls Southeast Divisions are tightly contested and will come down to the final week of competition before a Division winner is decided.

Paulina Speckmaier scored 5 goals to lead Schulz Academy to the top of the U14 Girls Southeast Division. A creative playmaker and a U.S U14 Girls National Identification Camp attendee, Paulina is destined for a youth national team call up in the near future.

U14 Girls and Paulina Speckmaier vs. Kendall SC
In what was the biggest game for the girls on the weekend, the Schulz Academy U14 Girls travelled south to face the unbeaten Southeast Division leaders Kendall Soccer Coalition. Having lost the season opener to Kendall, anything short of a win would have effectively ended the Schulz U14 Girls’ season. Paulina Speckmaier (’94) would come up big for Schulz as she marked her return from the U.S. U14 National Identification Camp with her most dominant performance to date. Paulina scored the game’s first goal after collecting a pass from Nicole Poirier (’93). The pass split two defenders and sent Paulina in on goal and she made no mistake burying the shot. Minutes later Paulina would return the favor as she found Nicole Poirier (’93) who shot home to give Schulz a 2-0 lead. Kendall struck back with a goal just before the half for a 2-1 halftime score.

Kristina Shakes (’94), another player marking her return from the U.S. U14 National Identification Camp, was solid and consistent in midfield. Kristina’s steady supply of diagonal forward passes kept the Kendall defense unbalanced and one of those passes resulted in the game breaker. Paulina Speckmaier (’94) latched on to a nicely delivered ball and turned a cracking right foot shot into the back of the net to put the game out of reach. Paulina then found another way to score, this time off a set play. From a corner kick, Paulina drove a curling ball into the box that dropped inside the far post untouched to give her a hat-trick on the day. Final score: Schulz Academy 4, Kendall SC 1. Sara Ballante (’93) had an outstanding game in defense as she was key in breaking up some very good attacking play from Kendall SC.

U14 Girls and Paulina Speckmaier vs. Plantation
Paulina Speckmaier (’94) would ensure no let down from the previous day’s win over Kendall as she struck twice to give Schulz a 2-1 win over Plantation. Paulina’s play was outstanding and she narrowly missed out on doubling her output with two very good headers that missed just wide. Sidney Morales-Parodie (’94) assisted on Paulina’s first goal while Kristina Shakes (’94) assisted on Paulina’s second.

U13 Girls vs. Kendall SC
The U13 Girls faced Kendall SC on Saturday in Kendall. Donish Cole (’95) continued her excellent form of creating and scoring goals with 2 goals and 2 assists in the 4-1 win. Brianna Raaf (’95) scored the opener finishing off a cross from Donish Cole (’95). Donish then played a through ball to Brianna who scored to make it 2-0. Kendall then pulled back a goal to cut into the lead. Donish Cole (‘95) then collected a pass from Elizabeth Caputo (’95) to score her first of the game, 3-1 at the half in favor of Schulz. Donish Cole (’95) then scored her second goal late in the game when Dominique Cole (’97) beat her marker and delivered a nice diagonal pass. Final score: Schulz 4, Kendall SC 1.

U13 Girls vs. Miami Strike Force
The U13 Girls closed out the weekend by travelling south to face the Miami Strike Force. Having been gracious hosts to the Miami Strike Force earlier in the season, the Schulz Academy Girls were surprisingly met with an infuriated and emotionally charged group of Strike Force supporters. The Schulz Academy Girls remained focus and controlled the encounter from the onset with good combination play and ball possession. Donish Cole (’95) broke the deadlock when she collected pass from Elizabeth Caputo (’95) and dribbled around a defender before driving in a hard low 20 yard shot. Then Yulie Lopez (’94), a U.S. U14 Girls National Team Select player, quelled the exasperated Miami Strike Force supporters when she scored a well placed header off a corner kick. With the game fully secured, Strike Force would score a consolation goal to make the final score Schulz Academy 2, Miami SF 1. The win pushed Schulz Academy U13 Girls back into a first place tie and effectively ended the Miami Strike Force season.