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| Surf GU15 White Crowned with National League Title |
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Over March 13 -15th Jose Ocampo’s San Diego Surf White GU15 traveled to Las Vegas to compete in the second leg of the elite National League. On Sunday they returned to San Diego undefeated champions of the highest level youth soccer opportunity given to GU15 teams. One of the biggest challenges the team faced was the overlap of high school soccer and club. All of the players fulfilled their commitment to their club and contributed to the opportunity of gaining a berth to the National Championship Series by training one day on Tuesday prior to the Las Vegas trip. With only one training day under their belts to prepare them for the biggest weekend of the season, spirits were high and everyone reunited with big smiles. The team arrived in Vegas on Thursday to prepare for an evening game Friday night vs. Wall Wombats (NJ). Going into the weekend Surf was 2 points behind the Dallas Texans (whose club captured the U16 and U17 League Championships) and with 3 games to play, the team knew that with a win, it would guarantee them a spot in National League again next season in addition to the possibility of playing for the league title. March 13 While the Wombats were athletic and tenacious, Surf tried to create a rhythm early by establishing possession. With one practice under their belts, cohesive play wasn't their strength that day, but phenomenal goals highlighted the evening. In the first half, Sarah Adams stole the ball outside of the box and ripped an upper V shot to open the score. A spectacular goal from Cassie Collin’s volley from mid air also shook the net while again hitting upper V. The goals hadn't stopped as Cece Ortega chipped the goalie from 20 yards out with Her "cheeky" first touch of the ball. After Pennsylvania Strikers beat the defending National Champions San Juan Spirits Blue 2-1, Surf realized that they would be heading to the most prestigious national youth soccer tournament, US Youth Soccer National Championship Series held in Lancaster, Massachusetts in July. March 14 The second game versus the defending National Champions San Juan Spirits Blues was on the agenda. San Juan had beat Surf last year at Regional’s in a game that allowed them the momentum needed to capture the National Title. This match would be one of the toughest faced by Surf but by matching their physical play, Surf again came away with a victory. Neela Mohan tenaciously fought through a box full of players to send her shot to the upper right corner in the second half. Surf still maintained the momentum while the defense didn't allow San Juan to get a clear look at the goal. In the last minutes of the game, Jackie Friedman drove from the left to the right and smashed another goal that flew into the right side piercing again the upper right corner. March 15 Even though both San Diego Surf and Pennsylvania Strikers had already qualified for Nationals each entered the final game eager for a League championship. With no goals against, the last game meant that the top teams from National League would meet and was highly anticipated knowing that each would attempt to play a possession style of soccer high caliber soccer game. The game exceeded expectations. Both teams attempted to assert themselves and control the game. Surf almost opened the game with a goal as Allie Bailey broke down the defense and saw her shot barely miss the opposite corner. Again, Surf kept on knocking on the door as they were awarded a free kick that was quickly restarted by Katie Perry to Bailey whose shot and was deflected by the Penn keeper. Kendall Kraus followed the shot in but missed wide. After a scoreless half, both teams regrouped and continued an intense second half battle, Surf knowing that with a tie they would be crowned the National League Champion due to a better goal differential. After a scoreless first half, Surf finally broke the defense down and created a 2 vs 1 against the goalie. Lauren Keoning intelligently got behind the defense and committed the goalie as she perfectly set up Allie Bailey for the only goal of the game as Surf won 1-0. As an illustration of the team’s offensive depth, the weekend’s 6 Surf goals were scored by different players. Surf also demonstrated their overall strength and deepness, by not allowing any goals. That was thanks the rock solid defense lead by keeper Ari Zargarian, Cassie Callahan, Neela Mohan, Laura Leidel, Maya Theur. Ocampo will travel with his team to Lancaster, Massachusetts for the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series Over July 21 – 25th. |
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