On Sunday, the Millburn Tornadoes ran out worthy winners of the U13G A flight at the Essex Fall Tune-up Tournament after a play-off game that went to the 5th and final kick of a penalty shoot out to decide the title.
Anna Sophia Roberts calmly slotted home the winning goal to make Tornadoes 3-2 victors over Vikings FC Lady Vikings in the penalty kick competition after a 0-0 tie in regulation time.
Tori Defilippo and Rachel Hubertus were the other scorers, with Hubertus also pulling off two fine saves in goal to clinch the victory.
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The squad had had the better of possesion, territory and goal attempts in the regular game, and could easliy have won in the final minute when an attacking run from Julia Newman was thwarted by the Vikings' defence. Deirdre Cunningham and Casey Hersh, and newcomers Sarah Bressler and Casy Schwartz each turned in fine performances for the Tornadoes.
Earlier on Sunday, a solo effort from a free-kick by Ally Langendorff had been enough to earn a 1-0 win over Montclair Pride to secure a spot in the final. The Tornadoes defended well against a spirited Pride team, with central defenders Margaret Rae and Eva Melendes and full backs Catherine O'Neill and Laren Weissman easily absorbing the Pride attacks, and with goalie Lizzie Twombly completing the shut out.
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On Saturday, in their best performance of the weekend, the Tornadoes had registered a 3-0 win over Vikings in the round-robin game. Daniella Petrocelli opened the Tornadoes account in the third minute with DeFilippo providing the assist. Goals either side of half time from Allison DeMeo secured the victory, with Melendes and Roberts providing the assists. Phoebe Oxely in goal maintained the zero in the goals against column.
The Tornadoes shut-out weekend opened on Saturday against the Cougar Flames with a 0-0 tie in regulation, with Tornadoes narrowly losing 3-2 on PKs. But after that initial set back, Tornadoes did not look back and were all smiles as the final penalty kick of the weekend crossed the line and allowed the celebrations to begin.
