The team made their way down to Pleasanton, CA Thursday and had a pre-game pasta dinner together at the hotel after a brief workout earlier getting ready for the two games the next day. The girls opening game was against the host team the Mustang Xplosion on Friday morning. The girls battled and the game was back and forth until a very questionable call in the box gave the Xplosion a PK, late in the first half. The Xplosion converted the PK and got two late goals in the second half to finish off a 3-0 win. Next up was the Tracey Fireballs Friday late afternoon. The girls battled to a 1-1 tie which put them in a position to advance with a victory Saturday morning against PQ Premier Red. The Blues came out and played some fantastic soccer Saturday morning with a beautiful goal on a free kick from Mia and a equally exciting goal on a breakaway from Syd who had great touch on a flip over the goalies head. The defense and Hadley were as stout as ever keeping PQ Premier from scoring except for a late goal on a great shot by them late in the match. The victory advanced the Blues to a Saturday afternoon game vs. Carlsbad Lightning.
Carlsbad put on a clinic with their passing, speed, and power. The Lightning had control of play for most of the first half but the girls held on for a 0-0 score entering into the second half. The Blues gave up an early goal to the Lightning but came back to equalize things on a great long pass from Madi to Mia who trapped the ball a one timed the finish. The Lightning came back and got the game winner a bit later in the second half. The GRFC girls and parents would like to thank the CPFC Timbers U12 Girls who came out cheered on GRFC and were the first in line to high five the girls after the match.
Coach Leighton was pleased with how the girls played during the tourney, pointing out many positives and also some learning points to bring back and to work on in training. The teams the Blues played were fantastic, top ten rated in California at their age group, and it was a success advancing out of group play to the quarter finals.
The girls had Sunday off and those families who were not leaving spent the day at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. Highlights from the day were the Rocket boat, eating the non soccer diet of ice cream, cotton candy etc, shopping, lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe, OK that was a low light, BART ride into town going under the bay. Pictures from San Francisco and of the tournament are on the photos link on the GRFC 97 Blue homepage.
Favorite soccer and non soccer moments from a couple of the girls from the trip (will add more as I receive input):
Soccer:
’My favorite soccer memory was in the quarter finals when I chipped the ball over their heads to Mia’s feet- She then took a touch and scored a goal.’
’Advancing out of group play and making it to the quarter finals against very good teams’
Non Soccer:
’My favorite non-soccer memory was The Rocket Boat when Barb Zetterberg and Carleena got soaked by the BIG wave!- Too funny!’
’Going to San Francisco and the Rocket boat was cool.’
