Surf U16s, Slammers U17s, U19s take Girls titles at Surf Cup

by Jana Mercik & Alison Macke 8/5/2007

(Scroll down for Saturday and Sunday Reports )

A pair of teams coming off of national championships lost Surf Cup Finals on Monday, sparking renewed debate for the coming season among top clubs and teams in Southern California. Slammers U17s also came out on top after 8 rounds of penalty kicks with Northern California side Mustang Mavericks.


U16 Girls Surf White take their first Surf Cup Win

The battle for Surf and So Cal Blues was a familiar sight for the side lines. The first half would see no goals but the effort of both teams was hard, fast and full of speed.

The second half was much of the same with battles at both ends of the field and many chances for both teams to take the lead. With 8 minutes left, Surf brought the ball down the field and kept it very active in front of the net. In the ensuing scramble the ball went off a Blues defender and into the goal for what would be the winning tally.


Surf Coach Ada Greenwood summed it up thusly: “The Blues are a very good team and are obviously are playing really well right now. I feel we defended well, we created some opportunities. We didn’t give them too many opportunities. It's unfortunate how we scored, an own goal was how it went down, but we put the ball in a dangerous area and they didn’t deal with it and fortunate for us it went in."

“It was really nerve racking at first and we were all pretty scared but we all put everything out and worked really really hard” commented Surf’s Megan Petersen. "We know the Blues never give up. They are a solid team and it takes mental and physical superiority to win. It feels amazing to win.”

Blue Coach Tad Bobak came off the loss saying, “We came out from the start in a very positive way and played very hard and played very strong defensively. I felt our team played cohesively well, moved the ball around well. We had some good opportunities. We are very proud and of course would have liked to score some goals, but their keeper denied us that. "


U19 Super Group Final – Slammers beat national champion Eagles in Overtime

The Eagles were coming into this game with thoughts of a 4-peat but the Slammers were determined to take a trophy home of their own.

The first 40 minutes was a scoreless draw that brought a battle of the fittest. Eagles' Amanda Lisberger, Emily Cressy, Nicole Sweetman and Jessica Zavala put up an impressive attacking display down the flank, but the defensive force for Slammers in McKenzie Orand and Judy Christopher kept Eagles in check.

The strategy for Slammers was to keep the dribbling to a minimum and make the two-touch a priority. With that in mind, Nadia Link, Lauren Jackson, Charney Burk and Camille Levin quickly fed the ball from midfield to the flanks and then services heading to the Eagles end. But Eagles back line did a good job of keeping their end safe, led by Courtney Goodsen, Amelia Mathis, Haley Wilson and Kelsea Smith. Shots were firing back and forth for both teams but nothing was too dangerous for either goalie. Shaine Millheiser (Eagles) and Erica Quevedo (Slammers) made sure of that .

That story would change at the 41st minute when the Eagles were awarded a free kick after a great combination between Goodsen, Mathis and Dominique Vellutodo ended in a foul. Kelsey Smith set up her shot, sent a great long ball to goal and with a little help from the wind, dropped the ball directly in front of the goalkeeper, and the ball bounced over her head and in. A little bad luck for the Slammers but the 1-0 lead sent the Eagles into the half a happier team.

The Slammers came out of the break a more determined team. Coach Walid Khoury told the girls at the break that they would have to take their shots in this next half. He told them “not to get intimidated” and to ‘lock it down and get one in.”

They took that advice to heart with Burke, Levin, Link and Tiana Dickson combining well to keep the Eagles pressured in the back. A nice volley from Link kept Eagles goalie Millheiser on her toes.

Not to be out shot, Eagles Sidney Garza, Samantha Green, Emily Cressy and Amanda Lisberger were battling at the net and firing shots. The Slammers Lauren Jackson and Mckenzie Orand were key to the defensive effort for their team.

With 30 minutes left, Slammers Levin decided to take matters into her own hands and dribble the ball fast and hard straight at goal. Eagles, in a quick effort to thwart her got too aggressive and took her down in the box and gave up the penalty kick. The kick was set up and taken by Burke who easily slotted it in to even the score at 1-1.

With plenty of time left in regulation both teams keep the battle alive. The skill and tactics from both teams were noteworthy. The best way to describe the play in this game would be to quote Coach Khoury. “It’s a war….. It’s a war.”

With no other goal to be had in regulation play, the two teams would take a short break before the Golden Goal overtime would begin. The first 10 minutes was much of the same with both sides threatening and leaving everything they had on the field. With a 1-1 still on the scoreboard, a second OT would be needed to end the draw. With two minutes left on the clock, Slammers Judy Christopher sent a long ball from the back field up to Jessica Zavala. Zavala took the ball to the net, brought the pressure to the goalie that was just enough to free the ball from her hands and give Zavala the second chance she needed to finish her efforts and bring the win home.

Coach Khoury was thirilled with the win. “We wanted them. We just lost to them in PK’s at regionals. We came to this tournament with no other intention but to win. We didn’t want to go to PK’s. The Eagles are too tough and they have one of the best goalies in the nation and she made some spectacular saves. We are very happy with the win.”

Slammers Camille Levin adds. “This win is very exciting. It’s always a close game with the Eagles. Today we proved we are the better team and it’s a really good feeling.”

Eagles coach Vince Thomas agreed with Levin, at least regarding this day.

“Two great teams battling once again. We’ve been battling since we were ten years old so we know each other really well. Two great teams played really hard and it was their day today and we wish them well. “

U17 Final: Slammers win another one

You could tell from the get go that Slammers wanted a second Surf Cup title. They have everything it takes speed, tenacity and heart. The Mavericks were just as deserving and brought physical toughness along with their skill.

From the very first whistle to start the game, the Slammers were all business. It was clear that the Mavericks midfielders Sarah Steele and Kayla Villalpando and defenders Jackie Spinner and Amanda Glass would need to bring it all to stop the speed and quickness of Slammers striker Zakiya Bywaters.

For the first 30 minutes of play the ball stayed mostly on the Mavericks defensive end. Slammers were all over the ball and it just seemed in a matter of minutes that any one the Slammers attacking players would net a tally. Alongside Bywaters were Jayden Barrett and Samantha Strom all of which were being fed great balls from midfielders Mariah Nogueira and Kylie Doniak.

The Mavericks battled to stay focused with Cori McGovern, Jessica Costano, Kelly Morgan and Katie Travis all stepping up to defend and try to get the ball back to their offensive half.

It took just a couple more series of plays to see the Slammers take the lead. The first was a well combined series from Sara Gomez to Bywaters to Lindsay Brown to Jayden Barrett who was fouled. The foul brought a free kick from Nogueira that Bywaters flicked on goal but was cleared by the Mavericks for a corner. The corner would lead to a shot from Lindsay Brown that would be brilliantly headed by Nogueira in for a goal and a 1-0 Slammers lead.

Based on the play so far some teams might have let the pressure take them down but the Mavericks only seemed to get refueled and the defense of the Mavericks along with strong support from Goalkeeper Kimi Tahara kept up the battle. Strikers Erin Bricker and Camy Senemar did what they could to pepper the Slammers goalie with some shots of their own.

Mavericks don’t need much time to tie it up.
Coming out of the half the Mavs needed to come out sharp and leave it on the field. The high pressure play of the Slammers was hard to defend and they needed to get the ball on their end to make it a game. They just needed one to tie it up.

That one would comer sooner than expected. With only a few minutes into the half, Cori McGovern was fed a nice ball from teammate Erin Bricker. McGovern, fighting off Slammers' Nogueira, shot a boomer from 30 yards and hit the right upper corner of the net to make it 1-1.

That goal seemed to really inspire and rejuvenate the Mavericks. From this point on it was a different game. The attack had come alive. Great combinations between Morgan, Bricker, Kat Parker and Camy Senemar were a highlight. Slammers were now under pressure in the defense, but Stephanie Derieg, Courtney Giovanni, Mary Schmidt and Kylie Bono seemed ready for the task at hand.

About 25 minutes in, the Mavericks took a 2-1 lead. A corner that was sent from Mustang's Kayla Villalpando set up a scramble in front of the net. Camy Senemar got the chance that she needed to poke the ball into the back of the net and the Mavericks were up by 1.

But the celebration on the Mavericks' sideline was short-lived. Within 1 minute of the Mavericks' goal, Zakiya Bywaters used her magic to net one of her own. A nice pass came from teammate Sara Gomez and Bywaters took it to goal, beating the keeper 1v1 to level the score at 2-2.

The rest of the half and for two golden goal overtimes both sidelines would see both teams continue the battle and keep the remainder of the game a sight to see. The runs up the flank and balls sent into the box were a display of heart and soul. Both teams made every effort to break the tie but it was not to be, and the game would be decided by PKs.

In spot kicks, the first Maverick PK was not to be and Slammers missed their first one as well. One by one each team member came to the line and 8 successful PKs later (4 for each team), it was now a matter of round-by-round sudden death. The 6th and 7th PK’s were good for both teams, but Slammers' goalkeeper Darien Vercillo came up with the big save in round 8 to give Slammers another Surf Cup title.


Sunday Report
Montclair Aristocrats came out on top of a well-fought battle with Albertson Fury in the U17 quarterfinal of the Surf Cup Sunday.

These teams, from New Jersey and New York respectively, are no strangers to each other on the field, having played each other a few times over the last year in the New York City area. This time the venue is the West Coast and Surf Cup, but you could tell they were ready to rumble.

“We are very respectful of this team,” commented Aristocats coach Ashley Hammond. We have played them in a few final games over the last year. They are very technical and have great speed up front”.

Both teams came out with their game faces on. Domenica Hodak and Jasmyne Spencer for the Fury kept the Aristocats back line of Morgan Stith and Courtney Flanagan on their toes for the first few minutes.

In turn, the high-pressure play from the Aristocats' Meagan Morris and Maya Hayes kept the Fury’s Dianna Marinaro and Brittany Farriella on high alert in the back. Quick one touch passes were the name of the game.

The Fury got on a roll with a great combination from Marinaro to Hodak to Klara Jenkins to Madison Haller down the flank. Haller sent a bending ball across the 6th yard box to a waiting Vicki DiMartino. DiMartino headed the ball but the Aristocats goalie Kelsi Jacob was there for the save.

A few minutes later, Fury’s Jasmyne Spencer combined her speed and skill to get to the Aristocats back third. Taking on the Aristocats Madeline Malone and Alexandra Eagle, 2 v 1 she came up with a corner. The corner was a high lob to the box but was cleared out by Taylor Collins.

With the remaining time in the first half both teams kept the sidelines on the edge of their seats. The ample free kicks and corners kept the ball in dynamic play and both teams worked hard to keep up the fight.

One corner of note came when the Aristocats Courtney Flanagan fed a ball to Chelsea Buehning. Fury’s Dianna Marinaro did what she could to keep the ball in play but gave up the corner. Flanagan served the ball into Taylor Collins who headed a great ball. The crowd argued the ball had gone in, but it had hit the post and the goalie sent the ball on its way.

Before the half was over, the Aristocats Maya Hayes, Meagan Morris and Meghan Fitzpatrick kept the attack hard and fast, doing everything they could to go up one before the whistle would blow. The Fury was relentless with their own goal in mind and kept the great combinations coming from Haller, Hodak and Jenkins. Emily Pape contributed as well and kept the shots coming. The half would end 0-0

2nd Half brings Montclair winner
Coming back from the half, both coaches had to get their girls to come out strong and leave it all on the field. Only one team moves on and there is no going back.

Meagan Morris and Taylor Collins say their coach really encourages them at halftime. “He keeps encouraging us. He tells us to work hard and just put another one in.”

The Aristocats took what coach Hammond had to say a half time to heart. With only one minute off the clock, Emily Carrollo slotted a ball to the top of the box and this time Taylor Collins would not be denied. She sent the ball to the back of the net and gave her team a 1-0 lead.

Collins was proud of her team “It was a team effort. I was in the right place at the right time”. Emily made a great cross and I just had to remain calm and finish it.”

Fury tried to shake off the goal, but the Aristocrats were on a roll and kept the ball on their offensive side for some time. Meagan Morris was like the wind every time she got the ball and she got it a lot. Her relentless speed kept the Fury off balance as she fed cross after cross into the box hoping her team would get to the ball before Fury’s goalie Meredith Maguire, who made some great saves during the game.

Once Fury got back in the game, they did some great things. Samantha Falk took on three Aristocat players in a scramble in the box only to be denied by Kelsi Jacob in goal.

Combinations between Pepe to DiMartino to Jenkins to Marinaro to Molly Bruh were familiar scenes that brought shots on goal for the Fury but were just wide or over the top of the post.

Some frustration was evident from the Fury as Jasmyne Spencer took down Meagan Morris who again was on her way down field at high speed. A yellow was given and a free kick from Fitzpatrick to Morris resulted in a corner.

Minutes later, Fury took a corner of their own from Marinaro. DiMartino was just left of the goal to receive the ball and rocketed a shot just wide.

Fury was disappointed again but not done yet. With 2 minutes to go both teams kept the battle alive and at any time it could have been a different result. Both teams showed real quality on the day and will be teams to keep an eye on in the coming season.



Saturday Report
Defending Surf Cup champions Real So Cal found themselves in a hard fight with Northern Californian side Boca in U16 group stage play Saturday at the Surf Cup. Boca was coming off an earlier big loss to Hershey Attack and needed to step it up to stay in the tournament. A scoreless draw was the outcome.

“We needed to play much harder in this game and really battle back from our last loss to keep the team moving forward’ Boca's Jen Ericson said going into the game. “

“We have played Real So Cal before and we knew some of their strengths and weaknesses so we know what we need to do,” added Rachel Mercik.

With forwards Natalie Lagunas, Erin Child and Michelle Cruz leading the attack for Real So Cal, Boca would need to hold fast and strong to keep the defending champs from taking the lead. The first serious attempt came about 5 minutes in when a nice corner from Brittany Held was put into the box, but Boca was there to clear.

Real So Cal’s Megan Erskine and Kelly Johnson led the next attack with a combination that ended with a hard shot to the goal but Boca’s keeper Erin Rost was there for the save.

Real would continue the attack with great combinations between the midfield and forward line. Natalie Lagunas and Jordan Utvich stood out for their team.

For Boca, key defensive backs Alex DelAgua and Rachelle Rodman were always there to cut off Real as they tried to play forward.

With 15 minutes left in the first half, Boca started an attack of their own. Kacey Held fed a nice ball from the left flank to Courtney Riggs in the box to give Boca their first real chance with a hard shot to the goal only to be stopped by Real goalie, Dana Moreno.

The last 15 minutes, would be a battle of chances. Both sidelines were hoping to see their team go up with a goal but it was not to be. Good combinations between Emma Rice and Brittany Held for Real keep Real’s sideline hoping and Boca’s Brynne Konkel, Rachel Mercik and Courtney Strombeck kept the shots coming from Boca. The half would end 0-0 with 30 more minutes to come.

The second half would see more of the same from both teams with the battle, an ongoing fight in the midfield. A free kick from Boca’s Dee Lovato sent the ball into Real’s box only to be cleared.

The most dramatic moment of the game came when Real’s Lagunas sent a ball into Boca’s box. An intense battle in front of the goal would see Real finish the goal only to be called offside and keep the score at 0-0.

Boca answered that with a midfield ball from Courtney Strombeck to Rachel Mercik down the left side of the field. Mercik would take the ball into the box only to collide with goalie and come up short.

The game would end 0-0 with both teams a little frustrated and wanting more.

“We did good." said Courtney Strombeck after the game. "We had a lot of heart and our effort keep their attack from putting the ball in really dangerous territory. We did good. We’ll take the tie and try and stay in this with a win tomorrow. "