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Ladies from separate high schools banded together to create strong Florida Fire Junior

12/03/2015, 9:00am EST
By Andrew Sodergren - Naples Daily News

 

Ladies from separate high schools banded together to create strong Florida Fire Junior

By Andrew Sodergren, Naples Daily News

They come from different schools across Southwest Florida, but the girls on the Florida Fire Juniors U18 soccer squad have banded together to become a force to be reckoned with. The Fire posted a 6-0 record in the Florida State Premier League before breaking for high school season, dominating by working well as a group.

"There's nobody that's conceited or full of themselves on this team," goalkeeper Rilee Standriff, a Naples High standout, said. "Everyone gets along very well, especially for a team of girls." Standriff, a Villanova commit, says about "90 percent" of the team will play soccer in college. And a big reason for that is the team's outstanding work ethic. "All the girls come to practice 20 minutes early and warm up together," she said. "Everyone works hard. We all just want to make each other better." 

Coach Chris Cashion, who has guided this group for four years now, echoed his goalkeeper's sentiments. "All the different personalities on the team have just blended together very well," Cashion said. "It's a very intense group, but they don't get on each other's nerves and bicker. There's never been an argument. They all get along well and connect with each other."  Cashion says the team lacks a true go-to scorer, but that hasn't hindered its success. "It's kind of weird, we don't have one standout forward," he said. "We don't have a lot of scorers who are recognized throughout the state, but when these girls play together, good things happen. They just click as a group."

Standriff says the teammates become rivals during high school season, making for some good-natured trash talking. "We were just talking about that in practice the other day," Standriff said. "One of my teammates, Taylor Hatch, plays for Estero. She was telling me, 'I never score on you in high school.' It's funny, after the (high school) games, we're happy to see each other but during the games, we're all really competitive."


PAIR OF JUNIORS PLAY ON CHICAGO FIRE ELITE TEAMS: Two Florida Fire junior boys, Will Marciano (BU13 Premier) and Miles Kohel (BU14 Premier), were selected to play with the Chicago Fire Juniors Elite BU13 and BU 14 teams, respectively, at last weekend's Disney Junior Showcase.

Marciano helped his squad to a second-place finish, scoring three goals and dishing out two assists in five games. "Being selected for the Chicago Fire Juniors Elite SC was a huge honor and a great opportunity," Marciano said before the tournament. "I am extremely excited for this amazing chance to play for an elite soccer club and I am sure it will be a good challenge and a wonderful learning experience."

A striker, Marciano showed his playmaking skills throughout the tournament. "I think my size and speed fit well as a striker, which is why I am able to play the position so well," he said. "Although my right foot is my preferred foot, I am able to dribble and/or finish with either foot. I believe my creativity and awareness are quite sharp, which is also helpful as a striker."

Also competing at the Disney event was the Florida Fire Juniors U12 Red Team, which finished second place in its division.

Tag(s): Press Room