REDS FALL TO FURY IN PLAYOFF DEBUT

HEMPSTEAD, NY (7/18/07) – The SoccerPlus CT Reds made their playoff debut earlier tonight, but did not come up with the result they were looking for, falling to the Long Island Fury 3-2 in overtime.

The loss ends the first ever WPSL season for the Reds as they finish the year with a league record of 6-2-3.

“It was a very good game,” said Reds head coach Tony DiCicco. “It was a very high level women’s game. It was a tough loss, but our players should be very proud to take the defending champs into overtime. They put themselves in a position to win this game.”

The Fury established control of the first half early on, constantly winning balls and keeping it in their end of the field.

The Reds were out shot in the half 7 to 3 and Long Island had 4 corners to Connecticut’s none.

However, towards the end of the first, the Reds began to take over as DiCicco began to use some fresh legs off the bench.

Connecticut’s subs created some chances and kept the ball in their half the last 5-10 minutes, swinging the momentum in their hands, but no goals were scored as the half ended in a 0-0 tie.

The second half, however, began like the first as Long Island received 3 quick corners, but they came up empty each time.

As the second half progressed, the Reds became complacent with the ball and the Fury capitalized as Jasmine Spencer intercepted a Reds pass at midfield. Spencer created her own breakaway by outrunning two defenders and beating goalkeeper Brett Maron, blasting a shot into the left corner to give the Fury a 1-0 lead.

Connecticut, much like most of the season, began to pick up play after falling in a hole. Niki Cross first had a free kick from 30 yards out from the top right of the box, but she soared it just over the crossbar.

Tiffany Weimer had a chance one minute later as she possessed the ball in the top left of the box. She fired a shot on goal, but it deflected off the crossbar before it was cleared out of harms way by a Fury defender.

The Reds had very little chances as the second half came to a close, down 1-0, as four minutes of stoppage time were added. Just as Connecticut found themselves with their backs against the wall all month, the Reds came through again as Tiffany Weimer received a pass from Kristen Graczyk. She created an opening and put home the game tying goal to force overtime.

Two fifteen minute overtimes were added, with no sudden death. The first overtime began just like the first and second halves for the Fury. Spencer found herself on a break away and attacked the net in the penalty box.

Reds keeper Brett Maron and Spencer met with what seemed to be a clean clear from the Connecticut keeper, but Spencer lay in the middle of the box, prompting the official to call a penalty kick in the 92^nd minute.

Kaitlin Donovan took it and beat Maron as she put it in the top left of the net to give Long Island a 2-1 lead.

The rest of the 1^st overtime played out with neither team threatening.

The second overtime was a different story, as the Reds furiously tried to even the score. However, Long Island was the team to strike off a free kick that Spencer put home for her second goal of the game to increase the Fury lead to 3-1.

Weimer answered in stoppage time, but it was too little too late as the game ended 3-2.

“This was Tiff’s best all-around performance,” said DiCicco. “She was great defensively and still got 2 goals. If we finish our corners, we win this game. We had two point blank corners that we did not convert and they finished on their free kick.
 

“Both teams created a number of chances. They had play in the 1^st half, and then we had it in the 2^nd. They are a good team and we wish them the best the rest of the playoffs.”

The Fury now advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals as they play at the Atlantic City Diablos on Saturday. Kickoff will be at 5:00 or 7:00 PM.

SoccerPlus CT Reds TEAM GAME REPORT

Match-up: SoccerPlus CT Reds @ Long Island Fury
Competition: WPSL Regular Season
Venue: Mitchel Athletic Complex – Hempstead, NY
Date: July 18, 2007; Kickoff – 7:30 p.m. ET
Attendance: -
Weather: Overcast, Humid – Low 70s

Scoring Summary:
            1      2  OT1  OT2    F
CT        0     1     0       1      2
LI          0     1     1       1      3

 

1^st Half: no goals

2^nd Half:
LI     – Jasmine Spencer (unassisted)              51^st minute.
CT    – Tiffany Weimer (Kristen Graczyk)         Stoppage Time

1^st Overtime:

LI      - Kaitlin Donovan (penalty kick)               92^nd minute

2^nd Overtime:

LI     - Jasmine Spencer (unassisted)               107^th minute

CT    - Tiffany Weimer (Brittany Tegeler)         Stoppage Time

CT Starting Lineup:
GK: 0-Brett Maron

D: 6-Corie Halasz, 16-Niki Cross, 18-Sarah MacIsaac, 23-Caroline Walden

M: 3-Bianca D’Agostino, 13-Kristen Graczyk, 31-Chioma Igwe

F: 8-Tiffany Weimer-CAPTAIN, 19-Heather Hathorn, 25-Becky Ryan
Head Coach: Tony DiCicco

Statistical Summary:  CT / LI
Shots:                     9 / 12

Shots on Goal:         6 / 7
Saves:                    4 / 4

Corner Kicks:           6 / 9
Fouls:                     15 / 14
Offside:                   3 / 2

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Reds Play to Tie with Mutiny
 

Becky Ryan in Action vs. Mutiny 7/13

Agawam, MA (7/13/07) – The New England Mutiny captured their fifth East Division Title in six seasons following a 1-1 tie with the Connecticut Reds Friday night, leaving the Reds playoff hopes in jeopardy.

The battle for first was scoreless at the half before Erin O’Grady put the Mutiny (7-0-3) on top in the 50^th minute.

Connecticut (6-1-3), who could not muster much of an attack, prompted assistant coach Lisa Cole to put the WPSL leading scorer, Tiffany Weimer, on the bench.

“She [Weimer] had to make a decision on if she was going to be an impact,” said Cole following the game. “She was not being effective, so I decided to give some other player’s a chance.”

The Reds responded as Bianca D’Agostino found Becky Ryan for the game tying goal in the 77^th minute, only the third goal allowed by the Mutiny all season.

Weimer returned to the line-up a few minutes later, but could not find an opening as the teams played to a draw.

“New England is a very good team,” added Cole. “I felt that some individuals on our team could have played better. A tie does not get us anything, in terms of the playoffs. It is unfortunate that our playoff hopes rely on what other teams do this weekend because we have one of the better teams in the league.”

To make the postseason, the Reds have to hope for a Massachusetts Stingers loss or tie or a Long Island Fury loss. If both happen, the Reds will be a two seed and will host the Fury at FSA Park on Wednesday.

Long Island Fury @ Bay State Select (Saturday Night)

Massachusetts Stingers @ Adirondack Lynx (Sunday 7PM)

SoccerPlus CT Reds TEAM GAME REPORT

Match-up: SoccerPlus CT Reds @ New England Mutiny
Competition: WPSL Regular Season
Venue: Agawam High School – Agawam, MA
Date: July 13, 2007; Kickoff – 7:00 p.m. ET
Attendance: 1,247
Weather: Mostly Cloudy, Low 70s

Scoring Summary:
            1      2     F
NE        0      1     1
CT        0      1     1

NE – Erin O'Grady (unassisted)                50^th minute

CT – Becky Ryan (Bianca D’Agostino)      77^th minute

Statistical Summary:  CT / NE
Shots                            5 / 6

Shots on Goal                 3 / 3

Saves:                          2 / 2

Corner Kicks:                1 / 1
Fouls:                           5 / 9
Offside:                         2 / 3
 

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Reds Win Thriller in Comeback Fashion

Farmington, CT (7/8/07) – The SoccerPlus CT Reds, following a must win game, are still breathing after a thrilling 4-3 win over the Boston Aztecs where the Reds erased a 3-1 halftime deficit.

Tiffany Weimer scored all four Connecticut goals, including 3 in the second half to lead the Reds to victory.

“I am incredibly proud of this group,” said Reds head coach Tony DiCicco. “We were able to see both sides of our Jackal and Hyde team. The first half we were soft and let up some soft goals. However, in the second we challenged and everyone saw just how good this team can be.”  

It looked early on that the Reds would run away with it. Weimer scored in the 5^th minute, unassisted, to give Connecticut the early lead.

However, the Reds coughed up the lead and fell behind in just 5 minutes as Boston struck twice to make it 2-1 10 minutes in.

Meotis Erickson netted both unassisted, to steal the momentum from Connecticut.

The Aztecs added to their lead right before the half as Lauren Ciccone found Erickson for yet another goal in the 41^st that made it 3-1.

“Tony got to everyone at the half,” said Weimer. “He thought we played a disappointing first half, but he said a half doesn’t make a game.”

The Reds took his words to heart as they fought back to get on the board early in the second, as Weimer was tripped up in the penalty box, forcing a penalty kick. She took it and planted it in the bottom right corner to make it 3-2.

Weimer made the hat trick complete in the 62^nd minute after Caroline Walden and Katie Schoepfer teamed up for the assist.

However, the game was only tied and the Reds desperately needed the 3 points for a win.

Not to be denied, Weimer showed some more magic in the 71^st, receiving a ball from Leah Blayney and burying it to make the comeback complete.

“Leah had another strong game for us,” said DiCicco. “She had the winning assist on a great ball.”

One day after berating his offensive star for not hustling on the defensive end, there was nothing the head coach could do but praise his co-captain.

“Tiff had a very good all-around game,” DiCicco said. “Despite her great defense, she showed why she is one of the best attackers in America.”

“We knew we had to win and we are too good a team to not make the playoffs,” added Weimer. “I am just proud of everyone on this team.”

The Reds still have to beat the New England Mutiny on the road this Friday at 7:30 PM, but their dream of a playoff spot is closer to coming true.

SoccerPlus CT Reds TEAM GAME REPORT

Match-up: SoccerPlus CT Reds vs. Boston Aztecs
Competition: WPSL Regular Season
Venue: FSA Park – Farmington, CT
Date: July 8, 2007; Kickoff – 6:00 p.m. ET
Attendance: -
Weather: Mostly Sunny, Mid 80s

Scoring Summary:
            1      2     F
BOS      3      0     3
CT        1      3     4

CT – Tiffany Weimer (unassisted)             5^th minute

BOS – Meotis Erickson (unassisted)          6^th minute

BOS – Meotis Erickson (unassisted)          10^th minute

BOS – Meotis Erickson (Lauren Ciccone)   41^st minute

CT – Tiffany Weimer (unassisted)            47^th minute

CT – Tiffany Weimer (Caroline Walden and Katie Schoepfer) 62nd minute

CT – Tiffany Weimer (Leah Blayney)        71^st minute

Statistical Summary:  CT / BOS
Shots on Goal                16 / 6

Saves:                          5 / 6

Corner Kicks:                4 / 5
Fouls:                          12 / 12
Offside:                         1 / 0

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Reds Continue Hot Streak, Win 3^rd Straight

Farmington, CT (7/7/07) – The SoccerPlus CT Reds kept their playoff hopes alive following a 3-0 win over the Philadelphia Liberty this evening.

Heather Hathorn, Tiffany Weimer and Katie Schoepfer each found the back of the net in the second half to improve the Reds record to 5-1-2.

When asked about the playoffs, Tony DiCicco said “We are in the playoffs now, we cannot afford to lose anymore. We are in need of wins and we got the three points we were looking for tonight.”

The first half was played evenly, which is evident by the 0-0 score, but both teams held equal possession and had just as many chances as the other.

“We played a difficult team tonight,” added DiCicco. “It seemed like whoever scored first was going to take all of the momentum.”

Good to his word, the Reds scored first in the 51^st minute when Heather Hathorn scored on assists by Tiffany Weimer and Corie Halasz.

“We were much better up front in the second half,” said Hathorn. “We had much better possessions and we were looking for each other.”

The first goal opened the flood gates for the Reds in the middle of the second half.

Tiffany Weimer made a perfect run past the Liberty defense as Sarah MacIsaac laid out a ball that Weimer was able to run down in the 65^th minute. Weimer immediately fired one in to put the Reds up by two.

“Sarah played a perfect ball over the top,” said Weimer. “I finally made a run where I was not offsides and it kind of caught the keeper off center. It seemed like she thought it was going to be blown dead and I just took advantage.”

Despite a goal and an assist, DiCicco seemed displeased with his offensive minded star.

“She’s a great player,” said DiCicco.” She was involved in our first two goals, but she needs to use her quickness to collect balls and play predictably for our other players.”

Weimer’s response seemed to reiterate what her head coach thought.

“I know what I was doing wrong,” said Weimer. “I need to rethink my game and work off the ball. I need to take it to heart because he knows what he is talking about.” 

Katie Schoepfer added the final goal for the Reds in the 69^th minute off a Kristi Lefebvre assist.

The Reds will have to rest up as they face the Boston Aztecs in a must win game tomorrow at FSA Park. Kickoff is set for 6 PM.

“This win keeps us alive,” said Hathorn. “We were looking to get a win today and tomorrow will be no different. We need to rest tonight, but a lot of players got in today so we did have some rest during the game.”  

SoccerPlus CT Reds TEAM GAME REPORT

Match-up: SoccerPlus CT Reds vs. Philadelphia Liberty
Competition: WPSL Regular Season
Venue: FSA Park – Farmington, CT
Date: July 7, 2007; Kickoff – 6:00 p.m. ET
Attendance: -
Weather: Sunny, Low 80s

Scoring Summary:
            1      2     F
PH        0      0     0
CT        0      3     3

CT – Heather Hathorn (Tiffany Weimer, Corie Halasz)    51^st minute

CT – Tiffany Weimer (Sarah MacIsaac)     65^th minute

CT – Katie Schoepfer (Kristi Lefebvre)      69^th minute

Statistical Summary:  CT / PH
Shots on Goal                9  / 2

Saves:                          3 / 5

Corner Kicks:                5 / 6
Fouls:                           9 / 8
Offside:                        5 / 7

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Weimer Scores Hat Trick as Reds Win Again

SoccerPlus CT Reds TEAM GAME REPORT

Match-up: SoccerPlus CT Reds @ Atlantic City Diablos

Competition: WPSL Game

Venue: St. Augustine’s Prep School - Atlantic City, NJ
Date: July 1, 2007; Kickoff – 6:00 p.m. ET
Weather: Sunny, Mid 70s

Scoring Summary:
            1      2     F 
CT       1      2     3
AC      0      1     1

CT  – Tiffany Weimer (Heather Hathorn)    36th minute

AC  – Alicia Hall (Kristin Edmonds) 50^th minute

CT  -  Tiffany Weimer (Caroline Walden)   70^th minute

CT  – Tiffany Weimer (unassisted)   76^th minute

Statistical Summary:  CT / AC

Shots                      10 / 6
Saves:                     3 / 6

Corner Kicks:           5 / 1
Fouls:                      8 / 6
Offside:                   6 / 5

SoccerPlus CT Reds finish their road trip against the Atlantic City Diablos with another win. Tiffany Weimer was a thorn in the Diablos side the whole game. Missing some early chances but with the game on the line, Weimer earned herself a picture perfect goal starting from a combination play from midfield. Weimer concluded the game with a hat-trick. The Reds again put together a team effort to get the 3 points need to keep the team in the hunt for the playoffs. 

SoccerPlus CT Reds return to action at home on Saturday, July 7^th against the Philadelphia Liberty and on Sunday, July 8^th vs. the Boston Aztecs. Come watch the SoccerPlus CT host its last home competitions.

Head Coach Tony DiCicco –

“We played a good game, but it wasn’t our best. We played a competitive battle and were still able to maintain good soccer.”

“Tiff could have scored more in the first half, but we were not as aggressive as we need to be. She responded well to the tie score playing quality soccer.”

Captain Tiffany Weimer

“I always try to take chances, missing the first shots can be hard, I just realized we had a game to win and I needed to focus and be composed to get the goals in.”

“Our team dug a lot deeper this game verses last night (against the Central Delaware Future) we were up by one in the first half but we all knew we needed the win and had to keep up the intensity.”

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Reds Score Seven on the Road

SoccerPlus CT Reds TEAM GAME REPORT

Match-up: SoccerPlus CT Reds @ Central Delaware Future

Competition: WPSL Game

Venue: Wesley, Dover DE
Date: June 29, 2007; Kickoff – 7:00 p.m. ET
Attendance: -
Weather: Sunny, Mid 80s

Scoring Summary:
            1      2     F 
CT        3      4     7
CD       0      0     0

CT  – Kristy Lefebvre (Tiffany Weimer)    18th minute

CT  - Becky Ryan (Tiffany Weimer)   22nd minute

CT  – Casey Frobey (Liz Eng)   29^th minute

CT  – Casey Frobey (Niki Cross) 49th minute

CT – Brittany Tegler (Liz Eng)  62nd minute

CT – Brittany Tegler (Leah Blaney)  - 72^nd minute

CT – Kriten Graczyk (Tiffany Weimer) – 74^th minute

Statistical Summary:  CT / Central Delaware

Shots                       24 /1
Saves:                     5 / 0

Corner Kicks:           13 /2
Fouls:                     13/ 7
Offside:                   3 /3

SoccerPlus CT Reds win first of two road games this weekend vs. the Central Delaware Future in a scoring exhibition beating the Delaware team 7-0. The Reds opened the scoring with a Tiffany Weimer assist, her first of three, and a goal from Kristy Lefebvre. Five different Reds found the net, Casey Frobey and Brittany Tegler both finished twice.

From Head Coach Tony DiCicco –

“90 minute performance from our team, I am proud of the way our team played, we played to our standard. This was classy soccer and it ended up be a great total team victory.”

“When the game becomes lopsided it can be difficult to continue to play your game but, we were able to maintain our pace throughout.”

From Captain Tiffany Weimer –

“As coach said, we played great 90 minutes of soccer. We have had glimpses of greatness in the passed but have not been able to maintain it.

“Our team played really well together tonight and there is a significant difference from the beginning of the season to now.”

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Reds Tie Defending Champs

Long Island (6/15/07) – The SoccerPlus CT Reds played to a 1-1 draw with the defending WPSL champion Long Island Fury on Friday night in Hempstead, New York.

The Reds (2-1-2) fell behind in the very first minute, but came back to tie the score late in the first half. Both teams were held scoreless in the second.

“The goal [at the start] happened because we didn’t start with intensity,” forward Kristen Graczyk said following the game. “It was a defensive breakdown on our part, but I think the main reason for it was our intensity level. We were definitely playing on our heels out of the gate.”

Despite the goal occurring just thirty-four seconds into the game, the Reds dug their way out of the hole when Tiffany Weimer struck for the Reds in the 35^th minute. Weimer lined a shot to the upper left of the net off a beautifully placed ball by Bianca D’Agostino, leading Weimer on the break.

The Reds played a tremendous second half despite not registering a goal as they held the Fury scoreless and dominated possession.

“I think we were exposed to playing more of a high pressure game [in the first half] which is something we really haven’t seen before,” said assistant coach Deb Raber. “We made some adjustments at halftime and showed that we can control the game even when a team plays their way. We knew we had to play more physically, quicker and with more intensity. I thought we had a much more physical presence in the second half.”

Weimer was once again the only goal scorer for the Reds, something that could come down to hurt the team later this season.

“I think our lack of offense has more to do with attitude than anything else,” Graczyk added. “Tiff has that goal scorer’s mentality and our other forwards need to recognize that and do some of the things she does. They need to begin to capitalize because we can’t rely on Tiff to score all the goals.”

The Reds return to action next Sunday, June 24^th when they take on the United German Hungarians in the Regional Finals of the Open Cup Tournament in Oakfield, PA.

“We need to bring intensity going into our next game,” said Raber. “We have to play 90 minutes of hardnosed and physical soccer. We can’t wait to be scored on to raise our level of play.”

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Reds Fall to Stingers, First Loss of the Year

WETHERSFIELD (6/9/07) – The SoccerPlus CT Reds lost for the first time this season, falling to the Massachusetts Stingers 3-1.

The Reds (2-1-1) took an early 1-0 lead after Heather Hathorn received a perfect ball from Tiffany Weimer down the center of the field. Hathorn moved into the penalty area in the 12^th minute, where she was taken down by Stingers goalkeeper Krystal Robens, causing the referees to call a penalty kick. Tiffany Weimer was called on to take the PK and she converted, putting the Reds on top momentarily.

“Tiff played a great ball,” said Hathorn following the loss. “It was easy to play as there was no one between me and the keeper.”

The Reds lead was short-lived, however, as the Stingers struck back in the 36^th minute. Kerry Connors darted through defenders before lacing a strike with her left foot that beat Brett Maron to temporarily tie the score at one.

Massachusetts struck again, late in the first half, as Hillary McGarr scored in the 45^th minute to put the Stingers on top.

“They got pretty lucky,” Hathorn added. “They got some good breaks, especially at the end of the half. We didn't play bad, but they took advantage of their opportunities."

The Stingers solidified their lead on a scary play in the 70^th minute. Maron came out of the box to break up a play, slide tackling into an attacker. She lay on the field grasping her knee as Massachusetts continued to attack. Emily Freeney found herself with the ball and an open net as she fired a shot in to make it 3-1.

“It is the referee’s responsibility to stop play,” said Reds head coach Tony DiCicco. “The situation wasn't life threatening so I agree with the call they made to continue. Whenever the goalkeeper is at midfield, the other team is going to try to score.”

The Reds had a number of chances throughout, including two by Weimer that saw Robens make some acrobatic saves to hold the Reds to one goal.

However, it was the defense that caught head coach Tony DiCicco a little off guard. 

“Their 1st shot went in for a goal,” said DiCicco. “Their 2nd shot went in for a goal. We are not giving up a lot of shots, but when we do, they make us pay. We have to take more pride in our defending and have to do a better job on not letting in the first hard shot we see.”

The Reds will have a short week to prepare for their next game, Friday, June 15^th when they travel to New York to take on the Long Island Fury.