Chantilly Fuego!

March 24, FAIRFAX - On a cold, snowy night in Fairfax, the Chantilly Fuego shook off the cold and beat the FPYC Blue Angles to win the 2013 Liberty Cup. 

The team started off the weekend, ironically, the way they ended the fall season in the Hunt Country, with a 1-0 loss to this very same team. The Fuego came out fast and dominated early part of the game, with both Kristen and Jazz getting several break-away chances that just missed the net, and Nina, Julia, Sabrine and Rhi also coming close, but none found the net. 

The Blue Angles fought back and got the game-winner on a long shot from outside the penalty area that Caroline never saw.  It was the only game the Fuego would lose the rest of the weekend, as they rattled off three straight victories on their way to the title.

Next up was a team from Crofton, Maryland in the nightcap on Saturday.  After a scoreless first half in which both teams played well, the Fuego broke through on a shot by Jazz that skidded into the net past the diving goalie.  Moments later, Amanda got a pass from Nina and hammered home the ball under the diving goaltender to make the final score 2-0.

Sunday’s game was a little more interesting.  The Fuego got off to a slow start against the surprisingly quick Chantilly Inferno.  A miscue put the Inferno up 1-0.   But the Fuego continued to press, and their persistence paid off late in the second half when Sara made a great run through traffic deep into the attacking zone and fed Kaitlin (yes, Kaitlin) who slammed the ball past the goalie and into the net.  A few minutes later, Jazz got loose in front of the net and drilled the ball past the diving goalie to give the Fuego the 2-1 win.

The victory set up a rematch with the Blue Angles in the finals.  The Fuego, feeling relaxed and ready, started fast amid the snowflakes, getting several early scoring chances, but the game would see-saw back and forth for the next 55 minutes with no score. 

The Fairfax defense played a very disciplined offside trap that repeatedly frustrated the Fuego attackers and kept most scoring chances at a distance.  On the other side, the defense was outstanding, and Caroline came up HUGE on several saves, including stuffing an attacker on a breakaway that was the play of the tournament.  

Then, with time winding down and the prospect of overtime and Penalty Kicks looming, the Fuego put on a furious attack, pinning the Blue Angles deep.  Then Kaitlin collected the ball near the far goalpost and fed the ball to Jazz, who lofted it over the charging goaltender and into the net. 

The goal gave the Fuego the lead with about five minutes to go.  As the snow increased in intensity, so did the FPYC attack, and the Fuego pulled all 11 players back to keep them at bay.  Moments later, the whistle sounded ending the game, and the Fuego walked off the field as Champions.

The team played strong all weekend.  The defense of Kennia, Pauline, Sarah, Sara, Melissa and Rhi did an outstanding job keeping the ball out of the Fuego end, while Sabrine, Nina, Rhi, Amanda, Katie, Julia, and Aby did a great job in the middle of the field.  The trio of Kristen, Kaitlin and Jazz were too much for the opposing defenses to handle.  And Caroline was amazing in goal, making several incredible saves in the finals.  The result was a most satisfying tournament, and a title.

Congratulations Fuego.  The Spring 2013 Season is off to a great start!

The Victorious Fuego pose for a fuzzy picture in the snow after their 1-0 win.

To see the fnial results, click on the logo above.