The Orchard Valley Momentum, an U17 girls Class 1 soccer team,
took second place in the prestigious San Diego Albion Cup
tournament.
The Orchard Valley Momentum, an U17 girls Class 1 soccer team, took second place in the prestigious San Diego Albion Cup tournament.
“We were not sure what to expect going down to San Diego,” manager Mike Hickey said. “We kept on hearing how powerful the Southern Cal teams are and that we did not stand a chance. But our girls love a challenge and came out ready to play.”
In the first game of the tourney, against the Samba Blue, the Momentum came out strong with an early goal by Sandra Sahagun, who ripped a shot from the far outside. That was all they needed to come away with the 1-0 win.
The second game against the Moussa was won with a single goal in the last minute when Jenelle Bacon took on two defenders and was able to create a breakaway to allow for a one-on-one with the goalie. Jenelle made a beautiful shot, lobbing the ball over the charging goalie.
The third game against the Jusa Select was a very physical game. It ended in a 0-0 tie, and then went to penalty kicks. The first five players from both teams made their shots, while the next two players missed. But Momentum’s Jackie Schleppegrell made her shot, followed by a great save by goalie Sarah Wisotsky, for the win.
After winning the first three games, the Momentum earned a spot in the championship game. Unfortunately, they did not have the extra fire power to overcome the PQ Premier Reds, thus losing 2-0.
Momentum’s offense and midfield consisted of Ginelle Bongiorno, Sandra Sahagun, Jessica Artiaga, Alysha Davis, Jenelle Bacon, Maricela Galaviz, Amadea Earl and Gabriella Valle. The defense was anchored by Jamie Hickey, Elyse Wallash, Jackie Schleppegrell, Lauren Cipoletti, Erica Hickey and goalie Sarah Wisotsky.
OVYSL U12, U11 girls teams both take second at Benicia tourney
The OVYSL Class I U12 girls Sting team captured second place at the Old Capitol Classic in Benicia in late August. After losing their opener 3-1 to the Livermore Legends, the Sting beat the host Benicia Arsenal 2-1, then tied the Sunnyvale Roadrunners 0-0 and the Clovis Odyssey 2-2.
In the big win over the host team, the Sting’s Erin Slattery made a crossing pass from the left side to Lauren Schmidt, who ricocheted a shot off the Arsenal goalie to the right corner to make it 1-0.
In the second half, Katelynn Hughes scored the winning goal with a strong kick to the net corner. On defense, Caitlin Azevedo prevented an Arsenal score with a slide kick save right in front of the goal.
In the scoreless tie, Sting goalie Allison Troini shut out the Roadrunners with help from excellent team defense by Rahni Giardina and Samanatha Martin.
In the 2-2 tie against the Odyssey, .the Sting scored first when Mika Matsumoto made an excellent pass to Erin Evanger, who found an open Slattery for a goal and a 1-0 lead. The second Sting goal was scored by Caitlin Azevedo from a rebound off the Odyssey goalie initiated by Lauren Schmidt.
Meanwhile, the OVYSL U11 girls Toros team also took second place at Benicia.
The Toros downed Elk Grove 6-1, routed the Delta Storm 6-0, and beat Napa Valley 4-1 before falling to the Vallejo Strikers 3-1 in the tourney finale.
Against Elk Grove, the Toros took an early lead on a nice cross by Katelyn Nebesnick to Holly Dunwoodie, who kicked it to the far post for a 1-0 lead. Jennae Cambra followed with a p;air of goals, and Megan Rauschnot, Katelyn Nebesnick and Breanna Rose all added goals of their own.
In the tourney finale, the Toros played well against an extremely physical Strikers team. The Toros tried to fight back with Katelyn Nebesnick taking the ball at a run on a good pass by Doting, dribbling through defenders and ending with a nice left footer flying past the diving Strikers goalie. In the final minutes the Toros kept fighting with Cambra putting a beautiful cross right in front of the net, but two quick shots on goal were nicely stopped by the Strikers goalie.
