The Orchard Valley Tornadoes
– an U12 select soccer squad – traveled to Santa Rosa for the
Rose City Invitational over the Labor Day weekend, and put on an
impressive display in their second tournament of the season.
SANTA ROSA – The Orchard Valley Tornadoes – an U12 select soccer squad – traveled to Santa Rosa for the Rose City Invitational over the Labor Day weekend, and put on an impressive display in their second tournament of the season.
TORNADOES 6, ALAMEDA 0
The Tornadoes opened up with a shutout victory over the Alameda All-American Girls. Amanda Whitling led the offense in the first half, scoring first on a nice feed from Bella Comin, and again on a rebound off a JC Clayton shot on goal.
The flood gates opened in the second half as the OV team wore down the All-American Girls. Taylor Johnson pushed the lead to 3-0 by intercepting a goal kick and scoring.
Lexi MacPhail next scored on a nice unassisted drive, and then scored again off an excellent feed from Sarah Block. Block finished off the scoring by following up a rebound of a Whitling shot that hit the cross bar.
The defense was not severely threatened in the game as goalie Nichole Downing recorded the shutout.
TORNADOES 6, LAMORINDA 0
The Tornadoes continued scoring big with a 6-0 victory over Lamorinda United Red. Comin set up the first goal on a crossing pass that deflected off a defender for an own goal. Johnson then got on the board with a long run and score, and Clayton followed with a similar drive to make it 3-0 at the half.
In the second half, the Tornadoes continued to dominate play as Mary Thatcher scored for 4-0 off a nice centering pass from Amanda Kline. Thatcher then returned the favor with a nice feed to Clarissa Hammer, who cashed the opportunity for a 5-0 lead.
Comin closed out the scoring with a sweet curving shot over the goalie’s head. Whitling relieved Nichole Downing in goal in the second half, as the Tornadoes recorded a second consecutive shutout led by defenders Cloey LemMon, Stephanie Wan, and Lindsay Pund, with Alex Seda in the midfield.
TORNADOES 1, ANNADEL TITANS 0
On Sunday morning, the Tornadoes faced a strong Titans team, and played an excellent game – winning a tight 1-0 decision.
The lone goal came in the first half. Whitling executed a leading header off a Titans goal kick to Johnson, who broke past the defenders, and froze the goalie on a picture perfect breakaway.
The Tornadoes defense continued to play great soccer, as the team posted a third consecutive shutout with Downing again in goal for the “one-nil” gem.
TORNADOES 0, NW OAKS THUNDER 2
The tournament directors had to be happy with the matchup for the final game, as both the Tornadoes and the Thunder came into the game undefeated.
Both teams had a total of 28 points in the pool play scoring, with the Tornadoes holding the tiebreaker advantage from having not been scored on in the tournament.
The Tornados opened the game with an excellent offensive push, keeping pressure on the Thunder early.
The Tornadoes had a couple of early possible scoring opportunities, but were unable to connect against the tough defense of the Thunder.
The Thunder finally cleared the ball and connected on a long shot by their midfield. In the second half, the thunder scored again. Despite some more strong offensive pushes, the Tornadoes could not find the back of the net.
