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Johnson City - Game 4 - Sunday, April 21, 2002 -1:45 PM

Having dispatched their three previous opponents with skill, speed, and style, United Quest's '88 Athena White squad had but one obstacle between them and 2002 Johnson City McDonald's Invitational Soccer Tournament Championship. The girls had been at this point in several previous tournaments, but were forced to walk away with the second place prize each time. To the girl, they all decided that this tournament would be theirs. Of course, there was that one obstacle. Standing between United and the title was an equally determined bunch of talented soccer players, the CASL 88 Spartan White team from Raleigh, NC. From the opening whistle and continuing through a tense first half, it was obvious that Quest was in a dogfight. The blustery wind conditions made for a twelfth player on the side of the Spartan White team as they bore down on the United goal time and time again with strong winds at their backs. The game would be a test for all of the United girls, and for one half of the game their parents, their coach, and the players themselves wondered if they would pass that test. With the wind and CASL in their faces and their backs against the wall, United dug in defensively in an attempt to survive the organized and relentless attack of the Raleigh side. Every member of the team contributed to the effort. In the back, Alena Reich directed her fellow defenders with confidence and strength, and in turn Estela Negron-Flores and Jasmine Noel covered for her and each other when the pressure mounted against their goal. Ana Trujillo once again proved her immense value to the team with fine saves and effective punts and throw-outs. Carolyn Craddock continued to impress with her play out of the stopper position and into the midfield. Midfielders Heather Dougherty, Kylie Foley, Caroline Poirier, and Ali Schultz responded to the pressure of the moment with spirited determination and controlled skill. Rotating forwards Amanda Masters, Meagan Dilbeck, Sierra Green, and Kim Shriver did what they could with the sometimes desperate clearances and somewhat erratic service they received. In truth, CASL was one play away from breaking open the scoring and the game. United continued to play hard, and supporting defense came from all positions on the field. Every time it looked like the Spartan White squad would finally score, a Quest player appeared just in time to make a timely tackle, clearance, or save. On the parent sideline, suggestions of just surviving the half began to be whispered. Finally, mercifully, thirty-five minutes elapsed, a whistle blew, and the girls headed for the sideline for a well-deserved rest. After instructing her girls on the sideline, Coach Anne Bristol sent her girls back onto the pitch with words that must have played in their minds like Henry V's "Once more into the breach…" because they got off their heels and back on their toes to do one more half of battle with a confident opponent. The momentum did not immediately change with the change of direction. Even with the blowing winds at their backs, United did not immediately take control of the match. CASL still had the look of determined, would-be champions, but Quest once again dug deep for the skill and stamina they needed to get the job done. Several give and take sequences had both parent groups equally nervous and excited. With time on the clock ticking away and thoughts of extra periods being expressed, United finally got the break they had fought for the entire match. An aggressive attack by Raleigh left one of their flanks exposed. Quest players challenged the Spartan push and managed to dispossess them in midfield. The ball found its way to the feet of Kim Shriver who sent the ball forward and to the right into the path of a running Meagan Dilbeck. The Raleigh keeper was caught between her impulse to pressure the ball and what must have been the stronger impulse to run back to defend her goal. Seeing the situation, Meagan took a nice first touch forward, dribbled straight toward the endline, around the keeper, and fired a controlled shot before any of the Spartan White defenders could close on the play. In the annals of American history, there is only one shot that is remembered as "The Shot Heard 'Round The World." Well, place this shot on the short list for consideration as the second shot heard around the world, because when the ball rolled into the back of the net the collective release of joy and happiness by coach, players, and parents must surely have been heard for thousands of miles. United finally got the break that had eluded them in all of their previous tournaments, and they weren't about to give one back. The entire team stepped up their defense and overall play to close out the final minutes of the match. United Quest '88 Athena White won the 16th Annual Johnson City McDonald's Invitational Soccer Tournament. That's a long name for a soccer tournament, but champions deserve all the text they can get. Congratulations, United Quest! You are the 2002 Johnson City McDonald's Invitational Soccer Tournament CHAMPIONS!