U9 Hurricanes Pair League Title With Arundel Cup Championship

The Severna Park ’09 Hurricane girls soccer team highlighted a strong fall season with a championship at the 2017 Arundel Cup, where the team went 3-1 overall and defeated rival Broadneck 1-0 in the tournament’s championship game.

Surrounding the championship-winning weekend run to the Arundel Cup title, the U9 Hurricanes team of Hayden Flaskinski, Maya Shehata, Jaiden Zaniker, Alana Martin, Olivia Gilligan, Emma Shehata, Maddie Jenkins, Alexa Gibb, Addie Newhard, Maddie Grieb, Riley Nowicki, Morgan Anderson and Noelle Beres also racked up a 9-1 record in regular-season play in its six-team fall league with teams from Broadneck, Davidsonville, Crofton and Pasadena. The U9 Hurricanes finished atop the Anne Arundel Youth Soccer Association league with 27 points, posting a 37-15 goal advantage.

In the Arundel Cup, the Hurricanes dropped their opener in preliminary play against the Broadneck Lightning Bolts, 2-1, after the Lightning Bolts scored the game-winner with less than 10 seconds remaining. Following the opening loss, the team thrashed South River, 5-0, before beating the Broadneck Dream Team, 5-1.

The championship game was a rematch against the Lightning Bolts, and Flaskinski scored the eventual game-winner in the first half as the Hurricanes recorded a 1-0 win. Maya Shehata notched a shutout in goal.

“Our entire team played outstanding,” said Coach John Zaniker. “Everyone contributed for the entire tournament and especially in the finals. These girls have tremendous heart and competitive fire that they put on display in all their games.”

Coach Dan Nowicki praised the efforts of the Hurricanes throughout the season.

“We’re really proud of our girls for their determination through each and every game against formidable opponents,” said Nowicki. “You could see the character of each of the girls just by watching them out on the pitch. They’re optimistic, dedicated, creative, supportive of one another, hardworking and brave. This group of girls is very special.”