July 27, 2001

Texas Girls U-19 soccer team beats long-time Colorado rival at SNICKERS* US Youth Soccer National Championships

After defeating long-time nemesis Colorado Rush 2-0 Thursday, the EDDOA Challenge players had that "it's-about-time" feeling as they walked off the field. The Rush, it must be noted, have defeated the Challenge at the SNICKERS* US Youth Soccer National Championships each of the past two years.
"This is the third year for both the Rush and ourselves to be in the final four," said Challenge coach Tim Strutz. "The last two years they have beaten us 4-0 and 4-1. It's a big weight off our shoulders." "They are the defending champs for a reason," Strutz added. "They're a first-class organization. Ed Shaw, who has been with them since they were Under-11, is someone I have the utmost respect for. You know that if you beat Rush you've beaten a good team, and I'm very pleased and proud of mykids."

The Challenge got it over very early. Linsey Johnson with a goal just three minutes into the game. Then just five minutes later, Amanda Guertin made it 2-0. With their second-straight solid defensive effort, holding a 2-0 lead proved to be no problem.

"Our midfield is playing very well," said Strutz. "Sarah Wiebe, on the outside, is playing as well as she ever has for us, and center-mids have always been a strength of our team. Our defense is playing very well too. We haven't given up many shots. Melissa Humke, Kristin Boyce, Jessica Hopkins, Caroline Bolls-they have all played very well. Everyone has played
well. I can look at the stat-sheet and see Linsey Johnson and Amanda

For Johnson, a freshman at Texas A&M, it was her second goal in two days. The Challenge, the Region III champs out of Houston, defeated Busch Soccer Club, the Region II champs, Wednesday, 2-0. "Linsey is very fast," said Strutz. "She plays all-out all the time. In Regionals when we play five games in five days, she is worn out by the third day. She just plays hard all the time. She's just a great player."

Linsey's goal was a product of her work ethic, but it was also telling of a Challenge collective mentalit.y They want to come out and get the job done. "We came out knowing we had to set the tempo of the game. I didn't think after eight minutes we would be up 2-0. But I was sure glad we were."
In their first match of the tournament, the Challenge played 45 scoreless minutes with Busch, but hit two early goals in a flurry similar to the one that put away the Rush. The Challenge's victory over Busch was a driving factor in their win over Rush. "I think we gained a lot of confidence yesterday," said Guertin, who plays at Notre Dame. "I think we are playing
awesome. We're playing smart soccer, and we're controlling the game."

The Challenge wraps up their first-round schedule today against the new Hyde Park Lady Bengals, and the Houston club appears headed for a showdown with Rush in the final on Sunday. Another quick start would be helpful againstthe Lady Bengals.

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