Under-11 boys soccer team becomes city’s first to win State
Cup
MORGAN HILL — Joe Corderio and his coaching staff were onto something when they entered their under-11 soccer team into the California Youth Soccer Association State Cup, thinking their squad was among the best in California.
They were prepared for skeptics — even though the stars seemed aligned. The prestigious 32-tournament was going to be held in Morgan Hill for the first time, and their team, Orchard Valley Impact, was coming off a promising third-place finish in the Class I ‘A’ Division, the highest level possible. But one fact spoke louder than the Impact’s success: No boys team from Morgan Hill had ever won a State Cup.
Not until this year.
The Impact defied history by making it Sunday, claiming youth soccer’s top prize with a 1-0 victory over Fig Garden Bullard in the Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center.
“This came with a lot of hard work from the kids,” Corderio said Wednesday. “They were all united and they played as a team. It wasn’t about any individual. The passion was there. I’ve coached a lot of teams. And this one was special.”
Alejandro Flores Jr. tallied the only goal for Orchard Valley, which outscored its tournament opponents 18-4 on the way to a 5-0-1 finish.
Celebration did not start until the final whistle.
“It was complete elation,” said Frank Juarez, who assisted Corderio alongside Alejandro Flores Sr. “It was unbelievable, the feeling you just accomplished something no one in Morgan Hill has achieved.
“I played in this league for many years and never won it. I think I jumped higher than the kids did after the ref blew the whistle.”
Corderio said his team could have won by more. The Impact sent several shots into the goal posts.
“We dominated the entire way,” Corderio said. “The attitude was there. Before they went out, they said, ‘Nobody’s going to beat us in our house.’ ”
The Impact’s players, who hail from Morgan Hill, San Martin, Gilroy and Hollister, have been playing together for many years. Its regular season is from September to the end of November before the start of the State Cup tournament in January.
“I think our coaching staff was kind of lucky,” Juarez said. “We have a great group of kids who are soccer fanatics.”
The Impact was led offensively by forwards Dylan Carrubba, Andres Jimenez and Flores Jr., who played in front of midfielders Jordan Juarez, Anthony Ambriz, Chase Van Den Brand Horninge, Alek Corderio and Damian Zuniat. The head defensemen were Noel Perez, Luke Newquist, Brenden Park and Jorge Morales-Reyes, with Carlos Arroyo starting at goalkeeper.
Orchard Valley advanced to the championship game with a 3-1 semifinals victory over Merced United. Carrubba scored twice; and Flores Jr. once, Corderio said.
Orchard Valley’s one tie came in the opening round.
“Once we got to the semis, it looked like there was no stopping us,” Corderio said.
2009 OV Impact roster:
Alek Corderio
Carlos Arroyo
Andres Jimenez
Chase Van Den Brand Horninge
Noel Perez
Alejandro Flores Jr.
Alex Louie
Brandan Purcell
Dylan Carrubba
Jordan Juarez
Alexis Flandez
Brenden Park
Anthony Ambriz
Jorge Morales-Reyes
Uriel Gonzalas
Luke Newquist
Damian Zuniat
Head coach: Joe Corderio
Assistant coaches: Frank Juarez, Alejandro Flores Sr.
