Vilseck’s Gabe Daiz battles Kaiserslautern’s Jason Niemi for the ball during a soccer game in Kaiserslautern, Germany, on Saturday, April 30, 2022. The Raider won the game 4-3. (David Edge/Stars and Stripes)
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany— The methods were different, but the results were the same Saturday as the Kaiserslautern Raiders swept the Vilseck Falcons in a pair of soccer matches.
In the girls game, the Raiders took command early and went on to a 5-1 victory. Kaiserslautern’s Lena Herrmann gave her team a 1-0 advantage and would score again later. She was also credited with two assists.
Unfortunately for the Falcons, they scored in both goals – once unintentionally - to finish the tally.
“We are a wide and deep team this year and our girls can play in a lot of different positions,” Kaiserslautern coach Sue Fitzpatrick said. “All the teams in Division I bring a very different game to the pitch, but my girls are having fun learning on the way and getting better with each game.”
Kaiserslautern's Ulua Villalobos attempts to pass the ball away from Vilseck defenders during a a game on Saturday, April 30, 2022 played in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (David Edge/Stars and Stripes)
Vilseck and Kaiserslautern battle for the ball in center field during a game played Saturday, April 30, 2022 in Kaiserslautern. The Raiders would win the game 4-3 with a last-minute goal. (David Edge/Stars and Stripes)
Boys
The second game was a tale of two halves that ended in a heartbreaking 4-3 loss for the Falcons.
Vilseck scored twice in the opening half and threatened to score more but didn’t thanks to penalties and offsides calls.
“Vilseck started off very strong and we had to play catch up for most of this game,” Kaiserslautern coach Enrique John said. “I wouldn’t say we are a young team trying to find itself, but we a still finding out who we are and what our strengths are.”
The second half would see Vilseck take a 3-1 lead, before the Raiders would mount a furious comeback. Jayden Stollings converted two penalty kicks – and finished the game with three goals. Jason Niemi scored another.
“I would like to congratulate Ktown on their win, but this one hurt,” Vilseck’s Quinlan McKinney said. “We basically beat ourselves; we handed them three goals. We fell apart as a team, but we will learn from today’s mistakes.”
Kaiserslautern's Ally Montellano attempts to pass the ball away from Vilseck defenders during a a game on Saturday, April 30, 2022 played in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (David Edge/Stars and Stripes)
Vilseck's Brennia Waters battles Kaiserslauterns's Yunalesca Luke for the ball during a soccer game at Kaiserslautern on Saturday, April 30, 2022. The Raiders won the game 5-1. (David Edge/Stars and Stripes)
