SYC’s “Intensity” Takes HSGHSL Championship

West Springfield High School Stadium - Nov 3, 2019 - The fall 2019 HSGHSL Championship game was played at on a clear, cool afternoon between the Springfield/South County Youth Club (SYC) “Intensity” coached by Steve Bishop, and the Braddock Road Youth Club (BRYC) “She Devils” teams coached by Doug Alcorn. With the teams having played to a 2-2 tie during the regular season, it looked to be an exciting close game.

Bishop’s Intensity team scored first in the 16th minute from close off a great far post shot from Alexandra A. after breaking down Alcorn’s right-side defense.  For most of the first half, the Intensity team controlled the midfield and the pace of play.  The She Devil team was able to provide some attacking pressure on the Intensity defense a few times, but Bishop’s defense coached by Chris Killebrew, turned each attack back. Deep into the first half, Alexandra A. broke away down the middle and scored in the 34th minute going into the half up 2 – 0.  A PK opportunity off a BRYC handball in the penalty area gave Intensity another scoring opportunity in the first half; however, Alexandra A. just missed hitting the post off the goalkeeper’s right side. 

On the second half kickoff, Bishop’s squad again applied pressure on She Devil team and again took control of the midfield.  In the 54th minute a cross from the right side of the field allowed a back post goal from Katerin M. putting Bishop’s Intensity squad up 3 - 0.  Alcorn applied some pressure and broke the midfield pressure a few times and had some shots on goal through the half, but the Intensity Goalkeeper Berit K. was able to handle the attacks putting Intensity back on the offensive.

On a corner kick in the 58th minute, again Intensity found the back of the net on a play where the ball bounced around in front of the BRYC goal and just slipped under the Goalkeeper’s block off a short shot by Bella N.  On the ensuing kickoff, Alcorn’s team was able to get control of the attack briefly, but because of the Intensity defensive composure, the attacks were again turned away.  Again, Intensity earned another corner kick in the 84th minute putting pressure on the She Devil’s defense.  Off a well-placed corner kick from Alexandra A., Serenity D. was patiently waiting on the backpost and buried the shot bringing the Intensity supporters to their feet because Serenity D. was coming off ACL surgery on her right knee and had been working so hard to come back.

This game showed a total team effort by the Intensity team with great play from each of Bishop’s players.  The strength of the midfield and the defense allowed Intensity to control the game and provide the constant attack pressure on the BRYC She Devils’ defense.  Bishop had a 4-1-3 record and gained a birth in the Championship Game by defeating Josh Ray’s SYC team 4 – 1.  Alcorn earned its Championship birth by defeating John Meginley’s VYS team, ranked first in the regular season, 1 – 0.

(standings determined by points for Fall 2019)