Second Annual Clash of the Carolina
Sponsored by Columbia United FC
Hosted by the Soccer Coaches Association of N.C. and S.C.
Blackbaud Stadium @ Daniel Island, South Carolina
GIRLS MATCH @ 3:00 PM
2:30 pm
It is a sunny and beautiful day at Blackbaud Stadium. The current temperature is 82 degrees and it actually feels like 86 degrees as the humidity is 68% and the wind is blowing in from the East/Northeast at 13 miles per hour. The UV Index is at 8 according to Weather.com.
The South Carolina squad, coached by Troy Bennage of Academic Magnet and Steve Lea of Spring Valley, will be wearing an adidas kit of red jerseys, white shorts, and white socks with a tri-stripe of red just below the knee.
The North Carolina team, coached by Gary Holiett of Charlotte Catholic and Kevin Todd of Apex, is donning an all black adidas strip with white stripes on the shorts and solid colored socks.
Pre-match warmups are underway after the players and coaches enjoyed a day of bonding yesterday that culminated with a boys banquet and girls banquet at Blackbaud's Stadium's famed Three Lions Pub.
* Starters
Tar Heels
0 Elizabeth Hannah, Weddington
*1 Kim Kern, Leesville Road
*2 Kelly Adams, Porter Ridge
*3 Kim Currie, Lumberton
*4 Nicole Danford, Green Hope
5 MacKenzie Davis, T.C. Roberson
*6 Meghan Glmore, T.C. Roberson
*7 Casey Kilburn, Broughton
8 Casey McCormick, Charlotte Catholic
*9 Taylor Norman, Reagan
*10 Stephanie Partenheimer, Apex
*11 Rachel Patton, Providence
12 Joy Pittman, Ardrey Kell
13 Sydney Reed, Apex
14 Paige Dugal, Garner
*15 Allyson Shiveler, Leesville Road
*16 Corrine Smith, Grimsley
17 Lena Suarez, Hopewell
18 Latanya Cain, Pinecrest
Sandlappers
0 Kendall Maxwell, T.L. Hanna
*1 Jamie Shaw, Spring Valley
*2 Kira Campbell, Lexington
*3 Latoya Dixon, Governor's School
*4 Jamie Templer, Riverside
*5 Emily Farrier, Academic Magnet
*6 Hannah Gmerek, Wren
*7 Shawn Haviland, Wando
*8 Sandi Hudson, Wando
9 Sarah Jacobs, Riverside
10 Caitlin Robinson, T.L. Hanna
11 Alley Russell, Spartanburg
*12 Ellison Sharpe, Dreher
13 Courtney Shumpert, Airport
14 Heather Shumpert, Airport
15 Marissa Terry, James Island
*16 Ally Truitt, J.L. Mann
*17 Alix Zongrone, Dorman
Officials
Referee - Bob Wern
Assistant Referee - Bob Miracle
Assistant Referee - Melin Penchev
The goalkeepers all have long sleeve black jerseys with red piping. All numbers on the back of the jerseys are solid white, which should make tracking these players easy on the eyes today. The Columbia United FC logo is recognizable on the front of the jerseys as the teams are being introduced via the international walk-out in recognition of the players, coaches, and officials.
The first shot of the match happens at the 5:30 mark as Wando's Sandi Hudson heads a nice cross from Dreher's Ellison Sharpe and the ball is saved by Leesville Road's Kim Kern. The opening five minutes have seen the Sandlappers control the tempo and possession in North Carolina's third of the pitch.
CAPTAINS
NC - Nicole Danford, Meghan Gilmore
SC - Hannah Gmerek, Jamie Shaw
Each team has a corner kick in the opening 10 minutes of play as the Sandlappers attack the goal towards I-526 and the scoreboard end of Blackbaud Stadium while the Tar Heels are heading towards the east end of this magnificent socce only facility.
1/4 of an hour played and the match is still scoreless as each team has tallied one shot on goal.
T.L. Hanna's Caitlin Robinson opens the scoring as she slots home a beautiful through ball from Dreher's Ellison Sharpe past Leesville Road goalkeeper Kim Kern to give South Carolina a 1-0 lead at the 23:58 mark. Sharpe was able to penetrate the middle of the park and once she was able to slip the ball past the last defender, Robinson one-timed her shot past a charging Kern.
GOAL! Less than one minute remaining in the first half and the Sandlappers stretch the advantage to 2-0 as Academic Magnet's Emily Farrier connects on a double-assist from Sharpe and Robinson. A perfect combination play and very impressive for a squad that has only trained for about one hour together -- Friday's afternoon session was ended after five minutes due to rain and lightning.
Halftime: SC 2-0 NC.
Goals: (SC) Caitlin Robinson, 24'; Emily Farrier, 44'.
Assists: (SC) Ellison Sharpe 2; Robinson.
Shots: SC 4-4 NC.
Saves: (SC) Kendall Maxwell 1, Jamie Shaw 1; (NC) Kim Kern 2.
Corner Kicks: SC 2-2 NC.
Offsides: SC 2-1 NC.
Fouls: SC 2-1 NC.
South Carolina stretches its lead to 3-0 as Robinson hits a bomb from 24 yards away at the 55' mark after Wando's Shawn Haviland sets her up with a nice header in the middle of the field. Top drawer stuff from the Sandlappers, which had been outplayed in the opening minutes of the second half.
Penalty! Spartanburg's Alley Russell trips Pinecrest's Latanya Cain clearly in the box and the Tar Heels receive a penalty kick. Hopewell's Lena Suarez steps up to take the spot kick and misses wide left with T.L. Hanna's Kendall Maxwell staring down the attempt between the sticks.
In the 68' Suarez rifles a shot from the top of the penalty box and hits the left goal post. Charlotte Catholic's Casey McCormick follows with an attempt that was blocked by Spartanburg's Alley Russell.
However, Cain finally nets a goal for North Carolina at the 70:30 mark as she dribbled around Russell on the right side of the penalty area and ripped the ball into the far corner of the net. Nice goal and South Carolina's lead is now 3-1.
North Carolina cuts the lead to one goal at 3-2 as T.C. Roberson's Meghan Gilmore dribbles past a defender on the left side of the penalty area and shoots on goal. Maxwell looked to have the shot covered, but the ball squirts under her diving body and rolls into the back of the net. 10 minutes to play and everything to play for with one goal separating the two sides.
The Tar Heels just missed a chance to tie the score at 3-3 when McCormick knocks a shot across the mouth of the goal and a timely inserted Shaw barely gets a tip on the ball to deflect it onto the post and out for a corner kick. Five minutes left.
Another outstanding save by Shaw who directs a point-blank header by Suarez past the right post. North Carolina is in total control in the second half, but only three minutes remain.
FINAL SCORE
South Carolina 3-2 North Carolina
The Sandlappers avenge a 3-1 loss to the Tar Heels in the inaugural event held at Blackbaud Stadium in 2007.
TEAM MVPs
NC - Latanya Cain (Pinecrest), 1 G
SC - Caitlin Robinson (T.L. Hanna), 2G, 1A
Final: South Carolina 3-2 North Carolina.
Halftime: SC 2-0 NC.
Goals: (SC) Caitlin Robinson, 24', Emily Farrier, 44', Robinson 55'; (NC) Latanya Cain 71', Meghan Gilmore 79'.
Assists: (SC) Ellison Sharpe 2, Shawn Haviland, Robinson; (NC) none.
Shots: SC 13-11 NC.
Saves: (SC) 5 - Kendall Maxwell 2, Jamie Shaw 3; (NC) 4 - Elizabeth Hannah 2, Kim Kern 2.
Corner Kicks: SC 4-7 NC.
Offsides: SC 2-4 NC.
Fouls: SC 4-6 NC.
Fouls: SC 2-1 NC.
Records: NC (1-1); SC (1-1).
The boys match is up next and the uniforms are the same as the girls match: (NC) all black; (SC) red-white-white. The goalkeepers have gray long sleeve keeper jerseys.
North Carolina is coached by Danny Wilkins (Millbrook) and Todd Worley (Sanderson) and South Carolina is being led by William Hosea (J.L. Mann) and Phil Savitz (Irmo).
North Carolina
*0 Vasili Dimopoulos, Ashley
1 Collin Taylor, Freedom
*2 Matt Brown, Olympic
3 James Carroll, Myers Park
4 Adam Cunningham, Jacksonville
*5 Owen Darby, South Mecklenburg
*6 Thomas Driver, Grimsley
7 Franklin Jones, Hoggard
*8 Michael Gehrke, Grimsley
9 Kye Grooms, A.C. Reynolds
*10 Matt Gwilt, Lake Norman
*11 TJ Jameson, North Mecklenburg
12 Nico Leone, Hoggard
*13 David DuPont, Grimsley
*14 Jake McCaslin, East Forsyth
15 Renick Patterson, Laney
*16 Reid Usedom, A.C. Reynolds
*17 Watt Williams, Broughton
South Carolina
0 Greg DeMare, Chapin
*1 Tanner Osborne, Lexington
*2 Andrew Autenzio, Dorman
3 Justin Barlotta, Summerville
*4 Justin Blomdahl, Waccamaw
*5 Danny Cates, Dutch Fork
6 Andrew Chavarria, Lexington
7 Gradey Grumman, Myrtle Beach
*8 Michael Czulinski, Spring Valley
*9 Jugal Dalal, Irmo
*10 Rudi Hellberger, Fort Dorchester
*11 Luke Hogan, Wando
12 Zack Houghton, Spring Valley
*13 Quinn Hunt, Aiken
*14 Daniel Lynch, Irmo
15 Thomas Palma, Greenville
16 Aaron Peter, Riverside
*17 Tyler Williams
MUSC Trainers
Mike Barr
David Geier
Bobby Weisenberger
The first 15 minutes are in the books and the match remains scoreless. Special thanks to the entire Charleston Battery crew and especially Amy Plebanek (Director of Sales) and Andrew Bell (President) for their professionalism and willingness to assist the Clash of the Carolinas in every conceivable manner!
TEAM CAPTAINS
NC - Thomas Driver (Grimsley), Watt Williams (Broughton)
SC - Danny Cates (Dutch Fork), Rudi Hellberger (Fort Dorchester)
OFFICIALS
Referee - Garland James
Assistant Referee - Jamie Noble
Assistant Referee - Kevin Noble
Half an hour has passed and the match is still tied at 0-0. The two sides battled to a 2-2 draw in last year's match on Daniel Island.
Halftime: NC 0-0 SC.
Chapin's Greg DeMare makes a top shelf save for the Sandlappers on a 1v1 with Olympic's Matt Brown at the top of the box that ends the first half. North Carolina has dominated the possession and controlled the tempo, but the match is still knotted up at 0-0.
HALFTIME STATS
Shots: NC 7-0 SC.
Saves: (SC) Greg DeMare 3.
Corner Kicks: NC 4-1 SC.
Offsides: NC 3-0 SC.
Fouls: NC 5-3 SC.
We have played an hour and the match remains scoreless. In fact, South Carolina has not tallied a shot on goal.
A reminder that the USL First Division match between the Charleston Battery (8-3-3) and Puerto Rico Islanders (6-5-3) will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. The Battery sits atop the 11-team table with 27 points while the Islanders are currently tied for third place with 21 points.
The Sandlappers finally get a shot on goal and it proves to be the best chance of the match so far as Wando's Luke Hogan found Dorman's Andrew Autenzio at the top of the penalty area and his shot caroms off the joint of the crossbar and right goal post. Still scoreless.
The 80' mark finds DeMare making another stellar save for South Carolina. Grimsley's Thomas Driver rockets a shot from 16 yards away and DeMare punches the shot clear. DeMare, a stalwart between the sticks for Chapin's Class 3A Lower State Championship team this past spring, has registered eight saves on 13 North Carolina shots.
The final whistle has sounded and the match winds up in a scoreless draw. The series remains tied at 0-0-2 in two meetings between South Carolina and North Carolina.
Thanks to everyone for an outstanding weekend!
TEAM MVPs
NC - Matt Gwilt, Lake Norman
SC - Greg DeMare, Chapin
Just returned home after a great weekend in Charleston. Wanted to say what a great event this was for the players, parents and all fans. I know that a lot of work has to be done to put this together. Special thanks to Wayne Quinlan for coordinating this. Also thanks to the Kevin and Kyle fo all they do, Coach Dick Smith for always helping and everyone else involved. A Top Notch Weekend.
Even without a "dog in the fight", the trip to Charleston yesterday for the Clash was a enjoyable day. Both all-star games were great matches to watch, the schedule was well run and a pretty good Battery game made for a fun day of soccer as we wait for the fall season to begin.
Great job by everyone involved, including CUFC and all the players!
From Wayne Quinlan, SC Coordinator Columbia United FC Clash of the Carolinas.
I would like to thank numerous people who made this year's Clash another great success. The gang of coaches from SC stepped up once again and did a great job: Coaches Dick and Katie Smith, Kevin and Kyle Heise, Stephen Jackson, Frank Ridlehoover, Troy Bennage, Dave Easley and Denny Sago handled everything that came their way with professionalism and smoothed off the edges that I left rough.
Thanks to Mark Kadlecik and the coaching crew from NC as well. The Battery staff, in particular Amy Plebanek, director of sales, and president Andrew Bell were aces again as were Lynn Burton and her staff at The Hampton Inn. Twig Gray, Emmitt Morgan, and JR Murphy arranged for another great FCA function using former Citadel soccer coach Joel Christy as the featured speaker. Mark and Rich Lloyd of LLoyd's Sports were again there to handle all of our last minute equipment issues. The training staff at MUSC was terrific. And, of course Adidas USA and Nelson Welch, who provided the players' kits.
The players conducted themselves with class the entire weekend and represented their state well, the best group so far! This was a reflection not only on them but their coaches as well. Coach Hosea, Coach Savitz, Coach Lea and Coach Bennage set a great example.
Overall it was terrific. I have received all positive feedback. Nevertheless, we will all try to find ways to make next year's Clash even better.
Again, my sincerest thanks to all,
Wayne
A big thank you to Wayne Quinlan for spearheading this event! A lot of work goes into producing this weekend and Wayne deserves a sincere "thank you" for his outstanding efforts!
I would like to add a "kudos" to Wayne Quinlan for his organization of the 2008 Clash of the Carolinas. Wayne has taken on this task the past two years and turned the event into an outstanding recognition of prep soccer in the Carolinas. Super job!
Also, thanks to the Quinlan Family of Barbie, Amanda, and Jordan for assistance (putting up) with the "Clash"!
One more thing ... It was nice to meet some of the parents of the players that we have heard so much about the past few years -- great to put some faces with names and thanks for introducing yourselves throughout the weekend.
I agree - The 2008 Clash of the Carolinas was a wonderful event and an outstanding way to recognize some of the most outstanding players from SC and NC. For the players selected, it was a great honor and fitting tribute to all they've put into their games over the years. From a parent's perspective, especially a couple who most likely were watching their daughter's last soccer game, it was a great treat to see all that talent on the field together on the same team and a double treat to see SC prevail over NC. It will be a fond memory.
Thanks to Wayne Quinlan, Kevin Heise, Kyle Heise, Coach Lea, Coach Bennage and all the other volunteers and sponsors (especially title sponsor CUFC) for their efforts and donations of time and money to make the event possible.
"Nevertheless, we will all try to find ways to make next year's Clash even better."
An old question, but, SCISA Consideration?
Quote:
"Nevertheless, we will all try to find ways to make next year's Clash even better."
An old question, but, SCISA Consideration?
No. The SCHSSCA operates as an auxiliary unit of the S.C. Athletic Coaches Association and their laws limit All-Star competitions to S.C. High School League participants only. In addition, foreign exchange students are also not eligible for the contests.