A 2-2 tie in Birmingham and a 2-0 win in Atlanta puts the U-16 on top of the South East Division of the Development Academy League
Two goals in the first 10 minutes for Birmingham led to a shocking start for the U16 Schulz Academy team in the key game of the South East Division. Schulz Academy had 2 great goal scoring opportunities in the first 5 minutes, but Birmingham was the team, which jumped into a quick 2-0 lead.
“Although Birmingham was leading 2-0 early in the game, I knew we will come back, because we also created many chances in the beginning of the match. Especially the shot of Felipe Noguerol from 30 yards out hitting the upper corner was one of the best shots I have ever seen in youth soccer”, says Dr. Josef Schulz, Head Coach of the team.
Felipe Noguerol scored deciding goals in both games of the weekend in Birmingham and Atlanta
Schulz Academy’s Felipe Noguerol cut the lead of the Alabama team in half with a clean finish after 22 minutes. Verneri Valimaa made a 40 yards run with the ball from his left defense position, dribbling 4-5 players, and his shot was too hard to handle for the Birmingham goalkeeper.
Felipe Noguerol was in the right spot to put the ball behind the opponent’s goalkeeper from just inside the box. From this moment on it was the team from Florida dictating the intense game. In the second half it was just a matter of time for the Schulz team to equalize, and after Joseph Chang was pushed to the ground in the box, the referee had no other choice than to award a penalty. Michael Hornat showed his cool by faking the goalkeeper into the wrong corner, and passed the ball for the 2-2 end result into the net.
Verneri Valimaa had an important assist in the key game in Birmingham to bring the Schulz team back from an early 0-2 deficit
“This tie against a strong team and rival for first place gives us now some cushion in our leading position. The team showed a lot of character in this game, because to come back from a 0-2 in the first 10 minutes after a long bus drive is not easy”, stated Fitz Sinclair, assistant coach of the team.
The next day, after an early scare of 10 tough minutes, in which Atlanta Fire made a lot of pressure and created some half chances, it was business as usual for the Schulz team. Felipe Noguerol with a nice goal in the first, and Sekani Sinclair with another in the second half secured the deserved 2-0 win vs. the team from Georgia.
Please click the link below to see the standings in the U16 South East Division after 7 games.
Click here: US Soccer Development Academy
