Back row, from left, are coach Cristian Michel, Natalie Peele, Aya White, Hannah Smith, Jasmine Jebali, Sara Forburger, Dani Isaacson, Mikki Charles, Kyla Donohue, Laura Zimmerman Caroline Lewis. Front row, from left, are Reina Hackley-Rivas, Bailey Bowers, Leah Walters, Elizabeth Bucy, Anna Duval, Vanessa Barlow, Sydney Perlowski. Photo Contributed
McLean — The McLean '98 Spirit Green U14 Girls, coached by Christian Michel, scored a pulsating victory over the Culpeper Comets in the championship game of the Virginian Elite Showcase Tournament (Premier Gold Division) on Memorial Day Monday. The Championship Final was a gripping contest, with both teams playing with intensity and determination. Despite several scoring chances by both sides, the game finished tied 0-0 after regulation time. In the overtime period, the Comets scored two well-taken goals to race to a 2-0 lead. The MPS '98 Spirit rallied and scored a sensational 35-yard strike (Bailey Bowers) to close the gap with 5 minutes to play. Then, after an amazing solo run (Vanessa Barlow), '98 Spirit won a penalty kick, which was coolly converted (Hannah Smith) in the final seconds of overtime. Deadlocked after the two overtime periods, the game was decided by six penalty kicks. With a PK talley of 4-3, McLean goalie Kyla Donahue made a spectacular fingertip save to clinch the shootout victory. It was a team effort by the MPS '98 Spirit Green to take the cup.