Anna CresslerSoccer

Mannheim

Last week: Cressler, a freshman midfielder, scored two goals and assisted on three others Saturday as the Lady Bison downed Würzburg 6-1 to improve to 6-0-0. Saturday's output gave Cressler, an Olympic Development Program performer, three goals and eight assists for the season. "We've played her at striker, midfield and sweeper," said Mannheim coach John Crockett. "I think we could player her at goalie, too." Mannheim assistant Martin Goering broke down Cressler's athleticism. "She's physically tough," he said. "She can take a hit and stay on the ball. She's good with her right foot and her left foot and has a strong header." Goering was impressed by both of Cressler's goals Saturday. "Her first goal came on a strong solo run," he said. "The second was a double-pass. She curved an 18-yard shot into the upper right corner of the net." Crockett said the assists were typical of Cressler, who developed her game in the States before moving to Mannheim last year. "She's always looking to pass the ball," he said.

Alan DowdenSoccer

Rota

Last week: Dowden, an All-Europe senior striker, made himself at home on the road last weekend at Brussels, banging home five goals in an 8-1 victory Friday over Menwith Hill and scoring two more and assisting on the third Saturday in a 3-1 victory over Brussels. The output upped Dowden's goal total to 16 in six games, according to his coach, Tom Birch. Four games have been against Spanish club teams, and Dowden scored three goals in three of those games. "Alan plays the break masterfully," Birch wrote Tuesday in an e-mail. "Against both Brussels and Menwith, he scored two top-corner volleys on breakaways off exceptional passes from Keita Silk, our other All-European player. (Keita fed four assists to Alan and scored a goal of his own.)" Birch said Dowden's second goal against Brussels was the most impressive. "He took a straightforward pass, turned and dribbled past three defenders until he was close enough to go one-on-one with the goalkeeper," the coach said. "Then he pushed the ball neatly into the corner. This goal came at a very tense moment in the game.

— Selected by Stars and Stripes staff

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