ECNL TENNESSEE DAY 3 RECAP: GOOSE EGG
Goose Egg
At ECNL Tennessee, there were a total of 52 clubs that had teams participating in the showcase at every age group. With each team playing three games, these clubs had a total of nine games apiece. Nine chances to evaluate their respective teams and players, and a chance to see nine different schematics and challenges that helps a club prepare for the future.
Albion Hurricanes FC made the most of those nine games.
On Friday, the U16 age group battled Heat FC in the opening game of the weekend, earning a 4-2 victory. The U17s collected a 4-1 victory against CESA and the U18/19s pocketed a 1-0 win against Virginia Union FC. Three wins in three games, scoring nine goals on the day and owning a +4 goal differential.
Their good play continued on Saturday, as the team started with a 3-0 win against Washington Premier in the U17 age group, and then the club quickly followed it up with a 2-1 win against Midwest United with the U18/19s. Closing out the day was the U16 age group, who defeated Kings Hammer by a score of 4-1.
Heading into Sunday, Albion Hurricanes was the only club with a perfect record through six games. Would they be able to complete the perfect weekend?
The U16s faced off against Charlotte Independence and came away with a 3-0 victory. The U17s lined up against Pleasanton Rage, a 5-1 victory. The U18/19s were all that were left. They went up against Jacksonville FC, and played the club to a 1-1 draw.
Albion Hurricanes finished the weekend 8-0-1, the best win percentage of any team at ECNL Tennessee. The club’s eight wins were also the most of any club during the weekend. AHFC was also just one of two clubs to go the entire weekend without a loss (other: World Class FC, 6-0-3).
“First and foremost, the results are second for us at these events,” said Robert McGann, Albion Hurricanes ECNL Director of Coaching. “The girls are working incredibly hard in practice with myself and Rafael Brazo. So at these events, it’s about them seeing the rewards firsthand for all that hard work. For the coaching staff and the club it’s about playing a nice style of soccer that represents our philosophy and providing the girls the opportunity to showcase themselves and their talent. Most of the time, if you play well and work hard, then the results will go hand in hand and it was brilliant to see us get rewarded for that against some quality opposition.”
Following such a great showing at ECNL Tennessee, Albion Hurricanes will look to carry the momentum into the rest of the ECNL season and into the new year. Playoffs aren’t very far away, and results such as these point that the Texas club is heading in the right direction.
“To go to ECNL Tennessee and finish 8-0-1, it’s just absolutely fantastic,” McGann said. “The U18/19s, those were primarily kids who were uncommitted and it was important for them to get looks from college coaches. Our U17s are in a very good season right now, and are in a Champions League spot at the moment, so it was important for them to carry on what was already a good run. But really I was most pleased with our U16s. They’ve had a very tough season so far, but they’ve been playing well. We needed this run of good performances and good results, because now we take those three wins in a row into next weekend and I’m hoping they can carry on that momentum to push forward in the league. I’m sitting here on a Monday morning incredibly proud of the girls and really happy for the club. It’s brilliant.“
To view all ECNL Tennessee scores and the full schedule, click here.