Rockford Raptors/Dactyls Soccer Clubs

The Rockford Dactyls Select U16 Team has always been up to any challenge thrown their way. However the Las Vegas Coaches Classic offered them a whole new challenge.

The Dactyls played in the U19 Divison, a first for the players who attended. The Team was actually comprised of U18, U16, & U15 Players for the four day trip to Vegas. Representing the U16 Dactyls were Rachel Carr, Taylor Giedd, Michelle Girard, Nicolette Newquist, Amy Olson, & Samantha Welcher.

The weekend started with an early morning game vs, The California Cougars. After a scoreless first half, the Dactyls broke through 10 Minutes into the Second Half with a goal from Danielle Mathieu (U18 Dactyls) that came off an assist from Amy Olson (U16). 5 Minutes later the Dactyls increased the lead to 2-0 when Katie Kelly (U15 Dactyls) finished of a rebound on a shot from Ryan Dickerson ( U18 Dactyls).
California scored a late goal, and the game ended 2-1, with the Dactyls getting the hard fought 2-1 win.

Game 2: had the Dactyls facing Sparta United from Utah! The game was back forth the entire way. Michelle Girard (U16-GK) kept the Dactyls in the game early with some great individual saves in Goal. The Second Half provided the Dactyls with plenty of opportunties to win the game, however they were unable to find the back of the net. The Team finished the day top of the group with 12 Points & a chance to advance into the semi-finals on Sunday morning.

Game 3: the Team faced Tualitin Hills United, Oregon. After giving up an early goal to go down 0-1, the Team responded well and began to dominate the rest of the game. Unfortunately it was not the Dactyls day and the game ended 0-1 with the team forced to prepare for a Consolation game vs Davis Legacy, California North.

The Last game vs. Davis was another hard fought 1 goal loss, after giving away an early lead the Dactyls settled into the game and began to create chances. Unfortuantely the day would end in a 2-1 loss, Taylor Giedd (U16) scored the lone goal on a great header off an assist from Britney Moss (U18 Dactyls).

All in all it was a great weekend, and the Team was extremely competitive in all games. Finishing 1-2-1 with all games being 1 goal games and the 0-0 tie. Congrats Girls you proved yourselves very well. As Usual !!!!!