South Jersey Soccer:
PYAA Patriots Place First In Columbus Day Tournament

Sunday, October 10, 1999

By Bob Beatrice
SJSports Special Correspondent

The PYAA Patriots U14 girls soccer team returned to the Pemberton Twp. Columbus Day Soccer Tournament for the 4th year. They opened the tournament on Saturday against Moorestown. It was a tight game until Megan McCloskey knocked in a loose ball for a 1-0 lead. It stayed that way until the closing minutes when Ryan Nolan scored on a breakaway. PYAA won 2-0.

The Patriots returned on Sunday to face Bordentown. It was a defensive battle with both teams getting little chances on offense. Ryan Nolan scored half way through the second half and the defense tightened. PYAA held on dispite a Bordentown rally in the final minutes. PYAA won 1-0.

Later in the day PYAA faced Pinelands SC. PYAA needed only a victory to secure first place. The patriots scored early and often. Amanda Tagland had a hat trick, Christina Tofani and Nicole Kulyk added a goal apiece. PYAA coasted to an easy 5-1 win.

For the tournament, Krissy Rup played 5 halves in the net and gave up no goals.

The Patriots would also like to congradulate the PYAA U13 girls and U9 boys for coming in first in their flights.

The Patriots are coached by Bev and Drew Nolan. The players are Joanne Harner, Megan McCloskey, Stephanie Sylvia, Megan Figuroa, Delores Figuroa, Erica Spatz, Katie Onyx, Krissy Rup, Christina Tofani, Amanda Tagland, Nikki Veitz, Randi Beatrice, Nicole Kulyk, Bekki Hunt, Susan Cornforth, Lindsay Wallingford and Ryan Nolan.