Tournaments
Steelers Win President's Cup (posted April 1, 2007)
April 1, 2007 - Pensacola -- The Rockledge U-15 Lady Steelers are champions at the FYSA President's Cup. President's cup is a one weekend tournament where the champions from each of Florida's 4 region cup tournaments meet. In the U15 age group, Rockledge represented Region B (Jacksonville, Gainesville, Orlando and Brevard County). The other three teams were Team Boca from south Florida (Region A), Naples Sharks from Region C (west coast Florida) and Bayside Soccer from Region D (the panhandle). In the final game, the Steelers played the Bayside Soccer Club and defeated them 2-0. Yesterday in the semifinal game, the Steelers beat the Naples Sharks 2-1 in a nail-biting, heavily contested game. The Steelers trailed most of the game 0-1, until late in the game when Sarah Marcum put up a well placed corner kick, then followed it up to put it in the net. Then with 3 minutes to go, Sam Layer had a long break-away, and one-on-one beat the goalie to win the semifinal game. This moved the Steelers on to the championship.
Click here to go to the U15 Ladies Photo Album.
U15 Lady Steelers Are Region B Champions (posted March 25, 2007)
The 2007 Under-15 Lady Steelers won the Region B Cup today. Playing in the final four this weekend in Viera, the Steelers defeated Central Florida United Saturday 3:1 advancing to the championship game. The Steelers found themselves up against a talented team from Inter-United Soccer Club. Giving up the first goal of the game, the Steelers fought back and ultimately prevailed with a score of 3:2. Congratulations ladies!
Click here to see another picture of the team.
Region B Cup - '93 Lady Steelers Finish First in their Group (posted February 25, 2007)
The '93 Lady Steelers traveled to Gainesville this past weekend to play the first round of the Region B Cup. Fourteen under-13 teams entered and competed in this knock-out round with eight teams moving on to the next round on March 10th and 11th.
The Lady Steelers were grouped with Gainesville's LEG-A-Z Lunachicks, Jacksonville's Westside Soccer Eagles and Orlando's Central Florida United Krush. The Steelers won their first two games against the Lunachicks (6:2) and the Krush (3:1). The final game of the weekend between the Steelers and the Eagles was to be a defensive battle. The Steelers scored first followed quickly by an Eagle goal in the 15th minute. With 55 minutes left to play, both teams put together scoring opportunities, but two very strong defenses left the game at a 1:1 draw. The top two teams from each group move on to the Challenge Round. The Steelers and the Eagles will be back in Gainesville on March 10th and 11th. Congratulations ladies! Your hard work shows.
Rockledge is Getting Ready for Regional Cup (posted January 15, 2007)
Rockledge Steelers U15 boys are getting ready for the Region B Cup. This past weekend, the team was the runner up at the Cocoa Expo America's Cup .
Falling to Citrus United in their first game, the Steelers came back and won their next two games taking down the East Orange Knights and the Lakeland Lazers. In the championship game, the Steelers again faced Citrus United. Citrus United scored one goal and eventually won the final 1:0. The Steelers played a great tournament and are working preparing for Region Cup play. The team is Zeke Amos, Carl Broderick, Courtney Calhoun, Dillon Davis, Tyler Gheen, Danny Hidenbrand, Kevin Joy, Jay Madison, Brad Merritt, Johnathan Oyler, Nick Rousseau, James Scott, Ian Siljestrom, Tom Villalpando, Justin Yearwood, Alek Zahorak and Steve Ashfield. The coaches are Paul Villalpando, Don Zahorak and Richard Merritt
U15 Boys State Cup are Champions at the PUMA Challenge (posted November 30, 2006)
The Rockledge Steelers U-15 Boys State Cup team won the Championship in the U-15 boys division at the prestigious Puma Challenge at the Sarasota Polo Club over Thanksgiving break. Rockledge beat the previously unbeaten (all year) Palm Harbor Nighthawks by a 2-1 score for the Championship. Rockledge was 3-0-1 during the tournament. The Rockledge Steelers U-15 team has had an impressive year under head coach Rami Rodriquez, who also spends his time coaching at Melbourne Central Catholic High School (as well as finishing his degree at FIT, where he was one of the team leaders of the last 4 year's soccer team). The Steelers over all record for the year is 20-2-3, and have won two tournaments during the season, also won the Greater Central Florida League Fall Season U15 Boys and was ranked among the best teams in the state by National Soccer Ranking.
The team's players are Page Baucom, Devyn Buck, Jesse Broyles, Andres Campo, Alan Cowart, Chris DeLoatche, Danny Happel, Cole Holloway, Brett Morrison, Taylor O'Shea, Juan Perez, Sean Postlethwaite, Michael Quinn, Andres Rocha, Jack Seemer, and Dean Spaniol. Callum Wilson, who had a great performance, was a guest player for the Steelers at the Puma Challenge.
This team is going to make some noise at State Cup this year and is on the rise. Our fall season is over now and we are already starting to get ready for the spring season and State Cup.
U13 Steelers are Champions at the Brevard Fall Challenge (posted November 3, 2006)
October 8, 2006 - The Rockledge Steelers under-13 boys won the continental division at the 11th Annual Brevard Fall Challenge. Check out their scores...
- 1st game:Win (5:3)
- 2nd game: Win (2:0)
- 3rd game: Tie (1:1)
- Championship: Won (3:1)
U13 Ladies are Champions at the Seminole Girls Fall Festival (posted October 8, 2006)
October 8, 2006 - The Rockledge Steelers under-13 ladies won the competitive division at the 17th Annual Seminole Soccer Girls Fall Festival. Over the course of four games, the Steelers scored 14 goals while allowing only 1 goal.
In the first match, the Steelers took on the Lakeland Lazers and finished with a 3:0 score. In the first half, Sabrina Nieves scored the Steelers' first goal. In the second half, Mariah Robbins and Jazelle Russack-Cradeur scored the second and third goals. The Steelers' second game of the day found them matched against East Citrus United. East Citrus United kept their defense solid for most of the first half until Sabrina Nieves started off the Steelers on a series of goals. Nieves ended up with a hat trick in the match along with goals from Ashley Smith, Hope Lawson and two from Cortney Baker. Assists go to Katie Cunningham, Kailey Cassario and Hope Lawson. The Steelers finished their first day of the tournament finding 10 goals and not allowing any.
The third game had the Steelers matched against the Weston Fury Nike team. The first goal came on an assist from Ashley Smith to Sabrina Nieves. The next goal came on an assist from Hope Lawson to Sabrina Nieves. In the second half, midfileder Choicie Turnage thought the Weston keeper was playing out too far from her goal so she shot a long ball over the keeper into the net. The Weston Fury then scored the only goal of the tournament against the Steelers with a short cross to the right post and a well timed run one-touching the ball in. The final score was 3:1 in the Steelers' favor.
The championship game on Sunday placed the Steelers against the Weston Fury Nike for the second time that day. Sabrina Nieves scored 4-1/2 minutes into the match for the Steelers. At that moment, no one would believe the game would conclude at 1:0 for the Steelers. For the next 65 minutes, the teams hammered away at each other with each team having several scoring opportunities. It was a great soccer match with both teams showing their skill and their "never quit" attitude. Weston Fury showed great sportsmanship and should be quite proud of their play.
After allowing only 1 goal after four games, the Steelers are very proud of their keepers Ashley Corbin and Choicie Turnage. Equally impressive are the team's defenders Jessica Smith, Ashley Smith, Cortney Baker, Brittany Flickinger, Margot Christensen, Jazelle Russack-Cradeur, Tina Lodato and Mariah Robbins. Our strong midfielders are Kailey Cassario, Rachel Hall, Ellen Ninesling, Choicie Turnage, Jazelle Russack-Cradeur, Mariah Robbins, Ashley Smith, Tina Lodato and Sabrina Nieves. The team's forwards are Hope Lawson, Katie Cunningham, Nicole Stewart, Ashley Smith and Mariah Robbins. This is the second time the Steelers have won a tournament championship. This season, the Steelers were also semi-finalists at the Melbourne Area Girls Labor Day Challenge.
Steelers Have Great Showing at the 2006 Labor Day Tournaments (posted September 9, 2006)
Five of our boys teams and all four of our girls teams played in Labor Day tournaments this past weekend. The teams performed extremely well. In fact, three of our boys' teams won the championships for their divisions!
CHAMPIONS
The Rockledge Steelers U9 boys coached by Mike Spinneweber, the U11 boys coached by Mike Spinneweber and Kurt Hatfield, and the U15 boys coached by Ramiro Rodriguez each won the championship for their division at the 2006 Vero Beach Boys' Labor Day Challenge. Excellent job teams!
The Steelers U15 boys coach by Paul Villalpando played at the Lakeland Highlands Labor Day Soccer Tournament. The Steelers U17 boys coached by David Woods played at the 2006 Vero Beach Boys' Labor Day Challenge.
At the 2006 Melbourne Girls' Labor Day Challenge, the Steelers U15 ladies coached by Scott Dornton made it to the final match and the Steelers U13 ladies coached by Kevin Smith, Mike Stewart and Craig Calhoun made it to the seminfinals. The Steelers U11 ladies coached by Allen Lucas and Ray Knodel and the Steelers U17 ladies coached by Richard Thawley played in the tournament and had fun.
Congratulations to all 9 of these teams. They are to be commended for the effort and performance representing the Rockledge Soccer Club.
Steelers Show Their Strength at the 2006 Melbourne Girls' Labor Day Challenge (posted September 6, 2006)
September 5, 2006 - The Rockledge Steelers under-13 ladies showed up strong at the Melbourne Girls’ Labor Day Challenge making it to the semifinals of the tournament. Their first match against the Coral Springs Renegades Gold was a defensive battle ending in the Steelers winning 1:0. In the first half of the game, Rockledge forward Nicole Stewart set up a beautiful assist to midfielder Mariah Robbins who scored the ball past the Renegades keeper. The second half of the game was a scoreless defensive battle. Defenders Jessica Smith, Tina LoDato, Jazelle Russack-Cradeur, Choicie Turnage, Brittany Flickinger, Ashley Smith, Mariah Robbins and Margot Christensen refused to allow the Renegades to reach the Steelers’ goal.
The Steelers’ second game was against the Indian River Vipers. Steelers forward Sabrina Nieves scored in the first half off an assist from midfielder Jazelle Russack-Cradeur. Ahead by only 1 goal against a very strong and determined Vipers team, the Steelers worked hard in the second half and converted a corner kick into their second goal. Jazelle Russack-Cradeur made the goal. Goalkeeper Ashley Corbin kept a clean sheet saving several great shots from the Vipers.
The last game of group play matched the Steelers against the FC America Kumba. Less than a minute into the match, forward Katie Cunningham broke away with the ball and chipped it over the Kumba keeper who came out to challenge her putting the Steelers ahead 1:0. Midfielders Cortney Baker, Tina LoDato, Jazelle Russack-Cradeur, Rachel Hall, Kailey Cassario, Ellen Ninesling, Ashley Smith, Mariah Robbins and Margot Christensen held the team shape together and never allowed the Kumba to play their possession game stripping the ball from the Kumba over and over. Late in the first half, Kumba was awarded a PK and converted leaving the score at 1:1 at the half. In the second half, Sabrina Nieves moved the Steelers back into the lead off a bullet into the net. Ten minutes later, the Kumba crossed a beautiful ball and skillfully placed it into the Steelers’ net tying the game at 2 a piece. With only minutes left, the Kumba were awarded a free kick in the Steelers’ half and played it into a goal. Kumba won the match 3:2.
The Steelers finished second in their group placing them against West Pines United, the top team from the other group. The Steelers played a very tough semifinal match working every minute of the game. Unfortunately, West Pines played just as aggressively and found two goals in the first half and two in the second half. Goalkeeper Ashley Corbin is to be commended for making several beautiful saves including stopping a blistering shot to the upper right corner. The final score was West Pines 4 - Steelers 0. West Pines went on to win the division.
This was the Steelers’ first tournament since moving to the full-sided game. The ladies showed they are strong, have great talent and play from their heart. The Steelers are Ashley Corbin, Ashley Smith, Brittany Flickinger, Choicie Turnage, Cortney Baker, Ellen Ninesling, Hope Lawson, Jazelle Russack-Cradeur, Jessica Smith, Kailey Cassario, Katie Cunningham, Mariah Robbins, Margot Christensen, Nicole Stewart, Rachel Hall, Sabrina Nieves and Tina LoDato. The team is coached by Kevin Smith, Mike Stewart, Craig Calhoun and Ronnie Lawson. The coaches and parents are extremely proud of these young ladies and look forward to a great season.
Steelers are Champions at the 2006 Palm Bay Spring Challenge (posted May 7, 2006)
The Rockledge Steelers Under-12 Ladies showed up strong and determined at the 2006 Palm Bay Spring Challenge. Almost two years old, this team has worked extremely hard to become a great team - a great place for young athletes to learn, play, compete and have fun together. This weekend, the hard work payed off when the Steelers won their Continental division.
In their first match, the team met a very tough Kendall Hammocks Lightning. After giving up a goal within the first few minutes, the Steelers' fought on and held off the Lightning for 55 minutes until the Steelers scored their own goal and tied the match at 1:1. The Steelers then went on to shut out the Maitland Rage with an awesome show of defense. Sabrina Nieves scored a Hat Trick followed by goals from Ashley Smith and Kailey Cassario. The last goal of the game came from Jazelle Russack-Cradeur on a beautiful assist from Ashley Corbin. Early Sunday morning, the Steelers, under the cover of a dense, smoky fog met up with the Palm Bay Fury. The Fury fought a good, hard game but the Steelers came out on top with goals from Ashley Smith and Sabrina Nieves. Assists came from Jazelle Russack-Cradeur and Hope Lawson.
In the championship game, the Steelers once again faced the Kendall Hammocks Lightning. The Lightning scored first, but sheer determination and "playing from the heart" brought the Steelers back to a lead of 2:1 at the half on goals from Sabrina Nieves and Hope Lawson. The Steelers played a perfect defensive second half and the match concluded with a final 2:1 score. Ashley Corbin, the Steelers' goalkeeper had an amazing second half blocking several solid shots from the Lightning that could have spoiled the game.
None of this would be possible without a complete team effort. Tending the net and giving up only 3 goals the entire tournament are goalkeepers Ashley Corbin and Choicie Turnage. Taking care of their keepers with defensive intensity are defenders Ellen Ninesling, Choicie Turnage and Nicole Stewart (also the team captain). Owning the middle of the field the entire weekend are midfielders Jazelle Russack-Cradeur, Brianna Glenn, Kailey Cassario, Rachel Hall, Tina LoDato and Ashley Smith. The Steelers' mighty forwards are Sabrina Nieves, Hope Lawson and Katie Cunningham. The team is proudly coached by Kevin Smith and Mike Stewart and trained by Craig Calhoun.
Congratulation Ladies! You've earned this!
Awesome Club Participation at the 2005 Greater Melbourne Holiday Challenge (posted November 27, 2005)
The Rockledge Steelers showed up strong and in full force at the 2005 Greater Melbourne Holiday Challenge. The club sent 3 of our girls' teams and 7 of our boys' teams. No matter which field you were at or what time it was, the Rockledge Steelers were everywhere. What a great showing of club pride!
The U13 Comp Ladies coached by Udo Schenatzky and Tom Murdoch.
The U10 Comp Boys (Black Team) coached by Mike Spinneweber and Kurt Hatfield.
The U10 Comp Boys (White Team) coached by Mike Harmon and Dan Coates.
The U11 Boys coached by Russ DeLoach, Tracy Buck and Charlie Bamford.
Also playing, but no team picture available were...
- U14 Ladies coached by Scott Dornton
- U9 Boys coached by Mike Spinneweber
- U12 Boys coached by Craig Calhoun
- U14 Boys State Cup coached by Tom Happel
- U14 Boys Regional Cup coached by Paul Villalpando
U12's Rock the DC Cup (posted November 15, 2005)
Congratulations to Molly Kirk's U12 Rockledge Chargers for their fantastic performance during the DC Cup Challenge Round. Coach Molly and assistant coach Mary Winn have built an enthusiastic, aggressive and talented team of young ladies who want to call the DC Cup their own. This desire was shown in a 3:0 shut-out over the Palm Bay Flaming Red Hot Cheetos and a 1:0 shut-out over the Indian Harbour Beach Galaxy. A tough match with the Palm Bay Red Brats ended in a 3:3 tie. The Rockledge Chargers now move to the knock-out round this coming Saturday, November 19. We are pround of you ladies. Good luck!
Steelers Rock the 2005 Columbus Day Weekend Tournaments (posted October 16, 2005)
Congratulations to Scott Dornton and his U14 ladies for winning the 16th Annual Seminole Soccer Girls Fall Festival held October 8th and 9th. In group play, Scott's team played the Deltona City Slickers, Central Florida United and Stetson Futbol and won all three games while allowing only one goal. The ladies took the championship with a come from behind victory over the very feisty NIKE Fury. The "Rock" girls are: Sarah Marcum, Sammy Layer, Heather Farmer, Candice Watson, Jordan Chaffiot, Chelsie Haas, Alysha Stoner, Petra Dornton, Amy Hoffman, Rachel DeLoach, Haley Schaefer, Miranda Spinneweber, April Bogar and lastly, Sami "THE HANDS" Alsawarf. Congratulations ladies!
Rockledge Soccer Club was well represented at the 10th Annual Brevard Fall Challenge held October 8th and 9th. A big congratulations to Mike Spinneweber's U10 Steeler Boys for making it to the championship game. The Steelers lost the championship to a very strong CFU Clockwork Juniors who the Steelers had defeated during pool play. Great job boys!
Congratulations to Craig Calhoun's U12 Steeler Boys for playing an awesome tournament. With two pool games followed by a round of semifinals, Craig's Steelers only allowed 3 goals total during the entire tournament. The team is to be commended for playing excellent soccer.
Also playing at the tournament were Russ DeLoach and Tracy Buck's U11 Steelers (coed), Paul Villalpando's U14 Steelers (coed) and Tom Happel's U14 Steeler Boys.
Udo Schenatzky's U13 Steeler Girls had a great time at the tournament. The girls won two of their three games each with a 3-0 shut out. The girls had a lot of fun and played great soccer. The team and its parents would like to thank both Sarah and Noel (and their parents) for joining us from Clay County Soccer Club. Sarah and Noel were great contributors to the weekend. The team would also like to say thank you to Challenge Sports for a great soccer weekend even with all the field changes. And a great thank you to all the Steeler families that came out to cheer on the girls. It is time like these that make you extremly proud to be a Rockledge Steeler.
Kevin Smith and Mike Stewart's U12 Steeler Girls played some great soccer and had fun.
Congratulations to all the Steelers teams who worked hard and played well. The club is proud of you!
Strong Showing at the 2005 Labor Day Challenge
The Rockledge Steelers had a great weekend at the 2005 Labor Day Challenge. The club's under-14 ladies coached by Scott Dornton made it to the championship of the U14 Girls Continental Division by defeating the Alley Cats FC and the Florida Thunder in group play. In the semi-finals, the Steelers defeated the Space Coast United Storm to move the Steelers to the championship game against the Brandon FC Flames. Tied at 1:1, the Flames were able to find a goal in overtime to take the championship. The Lady Steelers are to be commended for an awesome tournament!
The under-10 boys coached by Mike Spinneweber won all of their pool play games moving the Steelers into semi-final play. The Steelers won the semi-finals against the Hurricanes moving the Steelers into the championship game against the very tough Palm Beach Hornets. The Steelers played a tough game, but fell to the Hornets. Outstanding tournament U10 Steelers!
Both of the club's under-14 boys/coed teams played in the tournament. Paul Villalpando's under-14 regional cup team played in the Continental Division. Tom Happel's under-14 state cup team played in the National Division. Tom's team won two of their pool games against the Apollo team and the Satellite Beach Lightning team and tied their third game against the Plantation Eagles. Their pool play allowed the team to progress into semi-final play against the Mako Sharks. At the end of a great game, the Steelers fell by one goal to the Sharks.
Represented by four of our teams, the Rockledge Steelers played a great weekend of soccer. Well done!
Rockledge Steelers Win 2004/05 BYSL Championship
The Rockledge Steelers take home the championship trophy from the 2004/05 Brevard Youth Soccer League (BYSL) Championship. In fact, THREE Rockledge teams won the championship.
Congratulations goes to the '95 (U9) boys team coached by Mike Spinneweber and Kurt Hatfield. This young team won the entire BYSL championship for their division. These boys played hard all year and not only are they champions, they are all great friends. The team consists of Cody Johnson, Keelan Deuble, Adam Stillson, Robbie Willey, Nick Hatfield, Garrett Spinneweber, Alex Meder, and Kohl Buck. Guest players for the BYSL championship tournament were Mason Falk, Jarrett Baron, and Nick Spielman. Way to go boys!!
Congratulations to the '94 (U10) coed team coached by Russ DeLoach and Tracy Buck. This team played amazingly well all weekend. Great job everyone for hanging in there and coming out the champions!!
Congratulations goes to the '91 (U13) boys team coached by Tom Happel. What an amazing game, beating the regional cup champions!! You guys played your hearts out!! Way to go boys!!
What a great way to represent the Rockledge Soccer Club! Way to go each and every one of you!!
- Palm Bay Spring Challenge - April 30/May1
Congratulations to Tom Happel's U-13 boys and Mike Spinneweber's U-9 boys for making it to their championship games. Fantastic! Russ DeLoach and Tracy Buck's U-10 boys team played and had fun! A 'Great Job' goes out to our girls' teams who played well and had fun. Jake Lovan's U-12 girls, Mike Stewart and Kevin Smith's U-11 girls and Bob Christensen's U-10 girls had a blast!
Here's a great success story! After forming as Rockledge's second U13 coed competition team last
year, the team coached by Paul Villalpando, Richard Merritt, Don Zahorak and Don Rousseau entered
the Palm Bay Spring Challenge and went to the championship! The team faced very competitive U13
and U14 teams from as far away as Jacksonville. Fighting through the tournament play successfully,
we met Creeks Clash from Jacksonville in the U13/14 championship. At the end of regulation play
the game was tied 2-2 and headed to overtime play. Late in overtime, Creeks Clash hit a beautiful
shot and scored. Even though we came in second place in the tournament this team has really grown.
Great job team!
The team players are: Jay Madison, Tom Villalpando, Nick Rousseau, Petra Dornton, Kyler Rittenhouse, Rachel Deloach, Derek Lawrence, Alek Zahorak, Justin Yearwood, Courtney Calhoun, Cody Mays, Kyle Killinger, Justin Cox, Christian Breaux, Danny Hildenbrand, Brad Merritt and Johnathan Oyler.
Now that the soccer season has ended, tryouts begin for next year. The team will tryout anyone interested in playing competitive soccer at the Community Rockledge Park off of Guss Hipp from 5pm until 7pm on June 6th, 8th, 13th and 15th. For more information, please contact Paul Villalpando at (321) 504-7225 or email him at Mindypaulv@yahoo.com.
- Venice Shark Tooth 3v3 Challenge - April 9/10
Mike Spinneweber's '95 Boys traveled to Venice and had a blast.- Apopka 3v3 Challenge - March 26
- Congratulations to the Steelers '93 Ladies for their performance in the Apopka 3v3 Challenge. Coached by Mike Stewart and Kevin Smith, the ladies split into two teams and traveled to Apopka to play some soccer. And play they did. Even after getting soaked in a torential downpour, the ladies, still soaking wet finished their matches and played awesome!
