Herndon United are Finalists at 2014 Jefferson Cup
Herndon United capped off another strong tournament weekend with a Finalist performance at the Jefferson Cup. United dominated their group standings, going 3-0 while scoring 12 goals and conceding just one. The championship was a tightly contested game with only a late strike proving to be the difference.
United’s group games saw them face off versus Mercer Magic, Loudoun Red, and North Union United. The girls came out of the blocks flying versus the highly ranked Mercer team, scoring three times in the first 5 minutes and extending that lead to 4-0 by the 10th minute. The second half did little to change momentum and the girls cruised to a 6-0 win. The evening contest proved more difficult, and the team found themselves down 0-1 at the break. Despite working their way into better possession and beginning to create more chances, United’s hopes were dim with the score unchanged and just 10 minutes remaining. This team doesn’t quit easily as the team notched a scrappy goal off of a corner and then worked a fantastic sequence for a game-winning breakaway with just minutes left on the clock.
The next morning left United with a bit of work to do. The scoring format at Jefferson Cup meant that a variety of positives would secure passage to the final, the simplest of which was to score a goal. United got one midway through the first half and the rest was academic as three more went in during the contest for a 4-0 final scoreline. The championship game had all the drama that you’d ask for in a final. United controlled the 1st half but put three quality chances at the opposing keeper. The 2nd half saw scoring chances on both ends kept out by a pair of fabulous saves by each goalie. Only a late shot that snuck in separated the sides, and unfortunately for United it was on their net.
Overall it was an excellent weekend and first trip together to the tournament for the girls. United is looking forward to next year’s event.