PALO ALTO — Orchard Valley Youth Soccer League’s 14-and-under
girls team placed first in its group at the District Cup
tournament, held Oct. 3-4 at Mayfield fields in Palo Alto.
PALO ALTO — Orchard Valley Youth Soccer League’s 14-and-under girls team placed first in its group at the District Cup tournament, held Oct. 3-4 at Mayfield fields in Palo Alto.
The Toros finished with an undefeated record (3-0-1) while scoring seven goals and allowing three. Facing teams from its fall league season, Orchard Valley played with heart and determination in winning its first District Cup title since 2006.
Some of Orchard Valley’s biggest contributors during the tournament were the halfbacks — Sabrina Rice, Shannon Rauschnot, Cailin McCarry, Kristen Callanta and Sophia White — who provided excellent play on offense and defense. The Toros’ front line of Annie Lopez, Lauren Ginna, Brianna Miltimore and Jamie Lanz created problems for opposing defenses with their relentless shooting.
In the Toros’ first game against the De Anza Chaos, McCarry netted a goal in each half to help Orchard Valley win 2-1. Chaos scored late in the second half.
Later than evening, Orchard Valley took on the SASC Fusion, a club that beat the Toros in league play a week ago. Orchard Valley came out fired up again, getting two quick goals by Lanz off assists from Miltimore and White. As in the Toros’ previous match, though, Fusion scored late to put pressure on Orchard Valley. The Toros’ backline tightened for the remaining 10 minutes to preserve a 2-1 victory.
Keeping with tradition, Orchard Valley opened up a two-goal lead again Sunday, Oct. 4, versus the MTH PAC Inferno. Both tallies came from one player; this time Callanta. Both teams had ample opportunities to score in the second half, but the Toros secured a shutout win, 2-0, to stay perfect in the tournament.
Needing only a tie to clinch the cup, Orchard Valley was loose for its final game against the second-place Stanford Typhoons. Miltimore gave her team added confidence with a goal early in the first half, but the Typhoons answered to knot the score at the break. The ball seldom left the middle of the field during a stalemated second half. Lanz nearly gave Orchard Valley lead, but her shot glanced off a goal post.
Behind the defensive work of Rebecca Rottenborn, Gina Rodriguez, Paris Keane, Amy Kryston and Meghan Noyes, the Toros held Stanford scoreless in the second half — and gladly settled for a 1-1 draw.
