Stingrays finish up in second
MORGAN HILL – The Orchard Valley U14 Boys’ Class I soccer club hosted the Morgan Hill/Gilroy Cup at the Morgan Hill Soccer Complex this past weekend. The Stingrays won all three of their preliminary games, but lost in the Championship Game to the powerful Juventus Quake squad.
Stingrays 3, Ajax Thunder 2
The Stingrays rebounded from a 2-0 first half deficit to score three second half goals and defeat the team from Modesto, 3-2. The game was scoreless for the first 20 minutes of the first half, but the Thunder struck first as their striker blasted a shot past Stingrays’ keeper Ricardo Plata for the opening score. The Ajax team was blasting shots at Plata, and a second one found the back of the net shortly before halftime. At halftime, the Stingrays made some defensive changes which proved very successful, as the Thunder could only put one shot on goal for the entire second half. Meanwhile, Stingray striker Danny Nelson chipped a goal over the keeper, off an assist from Noel Vera. Midway through the second half Kevin Grove made a beautiful lead pass to Nelson for his second score. The Stingrays had all the momentum now, as this time Grove found right winger Matt Altamirano at the top of the goalie box, who nicely placed a goal in the upper left corner. The Stingray defense proved to be the difference in the second half, as Nick Rodriquez, Eric Miller, Myles Downing, and Grove continually turned away the Modesto team for their opening victory.
Stingrays 4, Madness-Bad Boys 3
In the second game of the afternoon, the Stingrays fell behind in the first minute of play, as the Bad Boys from Hayward scored the opening goal. However, the Stingrays quickly took the advantage with the gusty Morgan Hill wind in their favor, as Nelson again found the net, this time on a chip pass from Casey Mott. Mott found the net as well, on an unassisted goal mid-way through the first half. Nelson scored his fourth goal of the day, as Altamirano placed a beautiful cross from the right wing, giving the Stingrays a 3-1 halftime lead. In the second half, the Bad Boys had the wind advantage, and both teams found their way toward the net, with 12 combined shots on goal. The Bad Boys cut the lead in half with ten minutes to play, but mid-fielder Murilo Almeida dribbled his way through their defense and found the back of the net on a well-placed shot. With less than a minute to play, the Bad Boys cut the deficit to 4-3, but great defense and mid-field play from Gerardo Murillo and Brendant Palomo secured the win.
Stingrays 4, Napa Fire 2
At 2-0, the Stingrays faced the other unbeaten team, needing either a win or tie to advance to the Championship Game. The Stingrays scored in the opening minutes, as Nelson scored again on a long pass off a free kick from Grove. In a very offensive-minded game, the Fire quickly tied the score, as their left winger blasted one by goalie Plata. Noel Vera headed a ball into the net to give the Stingrays a 2-1 lead, off a corner kick from Altamirano. But the Fire again tied the game, as their speedy left winger scored again. Mott gave the Stingrays the lead for good, on an unassisted goal. The Stingrays defense tightened up, drawing 14 offsides traps against the Fire, and allowing only four shots on goal in the second half. Nelson drew a penalty in the goalie box, and scored his 6th goal of the tournament, off the Penalty Kick rebound. Once again, Plata was aided by his defense along with new Stingrays Blake Presar, Murillo, and Almeida in the mid-field.
Stingrays 0, Juventus Quake 7
The Stingrays were over-matched in the Championship Game, and fell behind 3-0 in the first half. Although the Stingrays were able to put six shots on goal, the Quake goalkeeper stopped them all, and the excellent ball possession and passing skills of the Redwood City squad led Juventus to the championship. Orchard Valley fared well to advance to this game, with seven new players added to the roster from last year’s team, and three starters missing in this tournament due to vacation and/or injury. The Stingrays will get a second chance against the Quake, as they travel to Redwood City this coming weekend for the 33rd Juventus Tournament of Champions tournament.
Stingrays Roster
Murilo Almeida 9
Matt Altamirano 12
Myles Downing 16
Bryan Faulk 15 (did not play)
Kevin Grove 4
Eric Miller 14
Casey Mott 8
Gerardo Murillo 6
Danny Nelson 3
Brendant Palomo 23
Ricardo Plata 1
Blake Presar 10
Spencer Razouk 7 (did not play)
Nick Rodriquez 2
Sheldon Steenhuis 11 (did not play)
Noel Vera 5
