Super Y League Feature

Friday, December 11, 2015

BRADENTON, Fla. – One of the players who shone this summer at the Super Y League Summer Scouting Series was the Washington Spirit MD’s McKhaye O’Boyle.

Her continued progression was in evidence on the opening day of the 2015 SYL North American Finals, as she put in a strong performance in the Spirit’s 4-1 victory to open the tournament in Group C of the Girls U16 Division against Atlanta Fire United.

“McKhaye is a very special player,” said Spirit coach Gabriel Ascunce after the game. “This summer I had her in different positions, which probably has helped her learn the game better. Yesterday I told her she was going to start at right back, and we were practicing a couple of things. She fits in wherever I want to plug her in.”

O’Boyle’s progression has been accelerated by her placement in the U16s side, as the Class of 2020 player competes against a higher level of competition. Making the move to the older age group from the U14s was an adjustment, but as she did on Friday, the further the game progressed, so did O’Boyle’s visible confidence on the ball and in defense.

“This is a new team for me. I’m a few years younger than these girls, so I was really breaking out of my shell,” O’Boyle said. “Once I found my happiness part of this, that brought out my physicality more, and so I think it’s something I’ve progressed with this team.”

The Spirit took an early lead in the contest through Alayna Kinkead, but got pegged back just before the break as Atlanta equalized. Ascunce said getting the team to settle down was his main focus during the halftime break, and it clearly paid dividends as the Spirit quickly took a 3-1 lead behind goals from Hannah Godsey and Leanna Choo. Danielle Soto added a fourth to wrap up the victory.

For O’Boyle, Friday’s win was hopefully the start of something big for her side over the course of the tournament.

“I’m looking forward to winning all the way, because I think we’ve worked hard enough for this,” O’Boyle said. “We’ve all come together, and we really want it. We all want to win.”

SYL North American Finals Top Performers
Mary Krebser, IMG Academy, U18 Girls – Krebser recorded a pair of goals as IMG took a 3-0 victory against the Northern Virginia Majestics to open the tournament impressively.

Michelle Herring, Force Football Club, U16 Girls – Force put together a big first half behind Herring, who finished the game with a pair of goals, to take a 4-1 win against FC Florida.

Jenna Li, Chill SBC Soccer Club, U16 Girls – Li had a goal and two assists, while teammates Sara Lee and Olivia Trombley each scored twice, as the Chill swept to a 5-2 victory against ACYS Spirit United.

Rebecca Myers, CYA Soccer Premier, U14 Girls – Myers scored twice to lead CYA to a 4-0 win against the Annandale United Majestics.

Victoria Kevdzija, International Soccer Club, U13 Girls – Kevdzija had three assists, while teammates Christin Baumbick, Samantha Jablonski and Nicole Kevdzija each had a pair of goals, as Internationals opened the tournament with a 6-2 win against FC Florida.

Shea Bonacci, Atlanta Fire United U13 Girls – Bonacci had a hat trick as Atlanta looked impressive in its 3-0 victory against CYA Soccer Premier.

Kayleigh Goodrich, SABA NYC, U13 Girls – Goodrich scored a pair of goals to lead SABA to a 3-1 victory in against the Maryland Rush.

Gianni Badon, Florida Elite Soccer Academy, U12 Girls – Badon scored twice in the second half to lead Florida Elite to a comeback 2-1 victory against the DDYSC Wolves.