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Sigonella’s Charlize Caro gets past Alconbury’s Kylie Leach to score the first goal of the game in the Jaguars’ 4-2 win over the Dragons in the girls Division III finals at the DODEA-Europe soccer finals in Ramstein, Germany, May 18, 2023.

Sigonella’s Charlize Caro gets past Alconbury’s Kylie Leach to score the first goal of the game in the Jaguars’ 4-2 win over the Dragons in the girls Division III finals at the DODEA-Europe soccer finals in Ramstein, Germany, May 18, 2023. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – The DODEA-Europe soccer season isn’t a long one. But it was long enough for the Sigonella girls to come together as a team.

Displaying a well-oiled passing game, the Jaguars cruised to a 4-2 victory over Alconbury for the Division III championship, retaining the title they won last season.

But there were a lot of differences between the two seasons, according to coach Andy Reardon and senior co-captain Marlee McElree.

“It took us a while to come together and understand our roles on the team,” McElree said.

As a result, the team struggled more against its traditional Division II competition in Italy, Reardon said.

But the Jaguars didn’t struggle to create good opportunities Thursday. Sigonella took a 2-0 lead by halftime by outshooting Alconbury 12-2. Charlize Caro opened the scoring just a few minutes in, outracing the Alconbury defense for a one-on-one chance against Dragons keeper Brooke Barby.

Barby had 10 saves on the day or it could have been more lopsided. She was under fire soon again as Ryleigh Denton made a long run up the right side. Barby stopped the shot, but Isabelle Balleza was there to pounce on the rebound.

Alconbury’s Lorna Lee takes a shot past Sigonella’s Marley McElree in the girls Division III finals at the DODEA-Europe soccer finals in Ramstein, Germany, May 18, 2023. Sigonella took the title with a 4-2 win.

Alconbury’s Lorna Lee takes a shot past Sigonella’s Marley McElree in the girls Division III finals at the DODEA-Europe soccer finals in Ramstein, Germany, May 18, 2023. Sigonella took the title with a 4-2 win. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Sigonella’s Isabella Balleza scores with a rocket into the corner of the net in the Jaguars’ 4-2 win over Alconbury in the girls Division III finals at the DODEA-Europe soccer finals in Ramstein, Germany, May 18, 2023.

Sigonella’s Isabella Balleza scores with a rocket into the corner of the net in the Jaguars’ 4-2 win over Alconbury in the girls Division III finals at the DODEA-Europe soccer finals in Ramstein, Germany, May 18, 2023. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Alconbury’s Reagan Boyett and Sigonella’s Isabella Naselli battle for the ball in the girls Division III finals at the DODEA-Europe soccer championships in Ramstein, Germany, May 18, 2023. Sigonella won 4-2 to take the crown.

Alconbury’s Reagan Boyett and Sigonella’s Isabella Naselli battle for the ball in the girls Division III finals at the DODEA-Europe soccer championships in Ramstein, Germany, May 18, 2023. Sigonella won 4-2 to take the crown. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Alconbury’s Sofia Politis shoots on goal after getting past Sigonella’s Keila Fuentes in the girls Division III finals at the DODEA-Europe soccer finals in Ramstein, Germany, May 18, 2023. Sigonella won 4-2.

Alconbury’s Sofia Politis shoots on goal after getting past Sigonella’s Keila Fuentes in the girls Division III finals at the DODEA-Europe soccer finals in Ramstein, Germany, May 18, 2023. Sigonella won 4-2. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

The Sigonella Jaguars celebrate their 4-2 victory over Alconbury in the girls Division III finals at the DODEA-Europe soccer finals in Ramstein, Germany, May 18, 2023.

The Sigonella Jaguars celebrate their 4-2 victory over Alconbury in the girls Division III finals at the DODEA-Europe soccer finals in Ramstein, Germany, May 18, 2023. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

After halftime, Ryleigh Denton again set up another goal with an even longer run on goal up the right sideline. This time fellow sophomore Caro was waiting on a rebound and scored her second goal. Senior Leila Denton then set up her younger sister with a pretty give-and-go combination and the Jaguars were up 4-0.

McElree said the precision passing and teamwork on display were a matter of practice and listening to the coaching staff.

“It’s kind of our mantra,” she said. “We don’t spend a lot of time dribbling. Passing the ball well creates opportunities for more goals, so that’s what we all do.”

Alconbury’s sister duo of Eleni and Sofia Politis put the Dragons on the scoreboard late in the contest. Sofia struck first, left footing in the ball from about 10 yards out. Her senior sister then struck from about twice the distance shortly before the time expired.

“They didn’t give up,” Dragons coach Brandon Pfleegor said. “We pulled a few back, but not enough to overcome that lead.”

Pfleegor said the Jaguars deserved the win.

“That’s a very well-coached team,” he said.

Andy Reardon said the Jaguars will have to rebuild again next season as he expects to lose eight of his 14 players. But Caro, Ryleigh Denton and junior goalkeeper Laney Reardon should all be back.

“So that’s a pretty good core to build around,” he said with a smile.

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Kent has filled numerous roles at Stars and Stripes including: copy editor, news editor, desk editor, reporter/photographer, web editor and overseas sports editor. Based at Aviano Air Base, Italy, he’s been TDY to countries such as Afghanistan Iraq, Kosovo and Bosnia. Born in California, he’s a 1988 graduate of Humboldt State University and has been a journalist for 40 years.

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