Europe
D-II soccerEight teams left in ultra-competitive D-II tourneys
Stars and Stripes
May 21, 2024
Joaquin Villescas, left, lifts the ball over Marymount keeper Romano Orsini on his way to scoring the winning goal in a Division II game at the DODEA-Europe soccer finals at Reichenbach-Steegen, Germany, May 21, 2024. Marymount’s Wayne Pomillio watches. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
REICHENBACH-STEEGEN, Germany – In what might be DODEA-Europe’s most competitive soccer division, the top four teams in boys and girls play all advanced Tuesday to the D-II semifinals.
And while it’s possible that the same four teams from last year could be playing in this year’s championship matches Thursday, that’s far from certain.
Wednesday’s semifinals, particularly in the boys tournament, feature four teams entirely capable of beating each other.
Defending champion American Overseas School of Rome defeated Vicenza 5-1 on Tuesday to remain unbeaten on the season. The Falcons tied twice during the regular season, including a 4-4 contest against Rome rival Marymount on May 11. The two teams will meet again Wednesday thanks to Naples’ 1-0 victory over the Royals.
The Wildcats, the other team to tie with AOSR this season after falling to the Falcons in last year’s title match, take on Bahrain in the other semifinal. Those two teams tied April 13. Bahrain suffered its only loss of the season earlier in the tournament at the feet of AOSR.
Vicenza’s Andrew McGovern looks for a teammate to pass to in the Cougars’ 3-1 loss against AOSR in a Division II game at the DODEA-Europe soccer finals at Reichenbach-Steegen, Germany, May 21, 2024. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
AOSR’s Rayan Ranieri centers the ball against Vicenza’s Tyler Holt in a Division II game won by AOSR 3-1, at the DODEA-Europe soccer finals at Reichenbach-Steegen, Germany, May 21, 2024. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Aviano’s Xavier Fox clears the ball in front of Black Forest Academy’s Jakob Ernst in a Division II game at the DODEA-Europe soccer finals at Reichenbach-Steegen, Germany, May 21, 2024. BFA won the game 7-0. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Black Forest Academy’s Jakob Ernst takes a shot on goal after getting past Aviano’s Wyatt McGowan. BFA beat the Saints7-0 in a Division II game at the DODEA-Europe soccer finals at Reichenbach-Steegen, Germany, May 21, 2024. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Bahrain’s Cesar Lopez shields the ball from Rota defender Zeppelin Hasselbring as he looks to pass in a Division II game at the DODEA-Europe soccer finals at Reichenbach-Steegen, Germany, May 21, 2024. Bahrain won 5-0. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Bahrain’s Lindokuhle Latsoko shoots on goal as Rota’s Christian Smith tries to block in a Division II game at the DODEA-Europe soccer finals at Reichenbach-Steegen, Germany, May 21, 2024. Bahrain beat the Admirals 5-0. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Naples’ Sam Pounds, left, and Marymount’s Federico Pipitone battle for the ball in a Division II game at the DODEA-Europe soccer finals at Reichenbach-Steegen, Germany, May 21, 2024. Naples won 1-0. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
It would be a bit more of a surprise if last year’s girls champion, Naples, was kept out of the finals. The Wildcats are perfect this season and haven’t had many close matches during the season. One exception was a 3-2 victory over Vicenza, last season’s runners-up.
Naples blanked AOSR 6-0 on Tuesday. The Cougars grabbed the top seed from the other pool after a 3-0 win over Marymount.
Wednesday’s semifinals will feature Naples taking on Rota and Vicenza playing Black Forest Academy.
Black Forest Academy’s Ester Lee shoots on goal against Bahrain’s Jade Courts in a Division II game won by BFA 6-0, at the DODEA-Europe soccer finals at Reichenbach-Steegen, Germany, May 21, 2024. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Black Forest Acdemy’s Jade Hernandez drives the ball up the field against Bahrain’s Jade Courts in a Division II game at the DODEA-Europe soccer finals at Reichenbach-Steegen, Germany, May 21, 2024. BFA won the game 6-0. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Aviano goalie Paige Rogers knocks the ball out of the box against Rota’s Gracelyn Markowski in a Division II game won by the Admirals 4-0, at the DODEA-Europe soccer finals at Reichenbach-Steegen, Germany, May 21, 2024. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Rota’s Jourdan Timmons takes a shot on goal against Aviano’s Lily Coral-Galvan in a Division II game at the DODEA-Europe soccer finals at Reichenbach-Steegen, Germany, May 21, 2024. Rota beat Aviano 4-0. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
AOSR’s Gloria Olivieri and Naples’ Emma Heavey battle for the ball in a Division II game at the DODEA-Europe soccer finals at Reichenbach-Steegen, Germany, May 21, 2024. Naples defeated AOSR 6-0. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
AOSR’s Evelyn Campbell clears the ball from Naples’ Emerson Shorey in a Division II game at the DODEA-Europe soccer finals at Reichenbach-Steegen, Germany, May 21, 2024. Naples won 6-0. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Vicenza’s Dariadna Lopez-Nieves, left, and Marymount’s Giorgia Gariglio sprint after the ball in a Division II game won by Vicenza 3-0, at the DODEA-Europe soccer finals at Reichenbach-Steegen, Germany, May 21, 2024. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Marymount’s Rewina Haile , left, clears the ball in front of Vicenza’s Natalia Lopez in a Division II game at the DODEA-Europe soccer finals at Reichenbach-Steegen, Germany, May 21, 2024. Vicenza won 3-0. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
