Kissimmee, Fla. – Colorado Rush Nike coach Dave Dengerink made one thing clear to his team after its opening-round 1-0 defeat Wednesday in the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships to the Stars of Massachusetts: It’s not over.
“It’s disappointing, but this is a long tournament,” Dengerink said. “Strange things happen in this game, so it’s not the end of the world.”
In a tightly played game, one breakthrough by U.S. under-19 national team member J’aime Gilbert in the 81st minute supplied the Stars with the difference.
“That’s the game at this level: You make one mistake and a national team player is going to make you pay,” Dengerink said. “It is that simple.”
The Rush had some chances to score, the best one a sliding shot midway through the second half by Genna Gorman, which missed wide left. Moments later, Amanda Wing moved into open space and took a shot that sailed just over the goal.
“We would get possession of the ball and then just give it back to them,” captain Jordan Angeli said. “We just need to work on keeping the ball.”
The teams traded jabs early with the Stars getting the best shot on a blast that deflected off Rush goalkeeper Rachel Zoliner and off the crossbar.
“Rachel played the way a great goalkeeper plays,” Dengerink said. “Honestly, with her, that’s par for the course.”
There isn’t much time to dwell on the loss. The Rush will face Carmel (Ind.) United today at 11:30 a.m., and the heat and humidity promise to add yet another element to this special game.
The teams grew close after members of the Carmel squad were involved in a near-fatal auto accident last summer in Lakewood. After a simmering on-field contest, the Rush family reached out to the Carmel family in its time of need, creating a bond between the teams.
“The story between our teams is a great story, but it’s a great story off the field,” Dengerink said. “(Today) the on-field story will get to be written.”
Also at the tournament, Real Colorado National’s under-17 boys team won its opening match, defeating the New Rochelle (N.Y.) Raiders 4-0.
Dion Bubar-Hill, Gregory Rouse, Kristopher Banghart and Seth Tamminga scored for Real.
Real’s under-18 team lost to the Dallas Texans Red 87 3-0. Each Real team will play its second game today.
