Orchard Valley U12 soccer squad prepares for upcoming season by
playing area’s best
GILROY – The Under 12 Orchard Valley OMI Eagles hit the tournament trail earlier this month to fine-tune their game in preparation for league play.
August 2-3 found a bare 13-man team in Mission Viejo to contest some very strong South California teams. The Eagles opened up against Blue Storm with a 3-1 loss. The Eagles only goal came on a cross from Garrett Wheeler to Adam Guerra – who found the back of the net. The locals second game pitted them against RSF Attack where again they suffered a 3-1 loss. Again Guerra had the lone goal this time with an assist from Nick Salvenmini. In their final game on Sunday, the Eagles were getting stronger as they posted a 6-1 win over Freshno Odyssey. Guerra tallied two goals; Pablo Figueroa scored on a penalty shot; and Chris Shaeffer, J.P. Sanchez and Orlando Villa each tallied a goal apiece.
The following weekend the Eagles played in their home tournament, the Morgan Hill/Gilroy Cup, and took second-place honors. The Eagles shutout Petaluma Pumas 4-0 in their first game. Guerra found the net first with an assist from Wheeler – who later assisted Salvemini for the fourth goal. The second and third goals came from Wheeler – one on a strategically placed header. Later in the day, their second opponent, Central Valley United, fell 2-0 to the Eagles, who were up to 14 players. Once again, Guerra found the net first then scored again from an assist from Salvemini.
Sunday’s competition found the Eagles facing the Davis Strikers where they soared past Davis into the championship round on a goal from Wheeler with an assist from Guerra. For the championship round, the Eagles were almost at full force with 15 players, but it wasn’t enough to beat the fast Almaden Ruckus team. The Eagles were shut out 4-0 and had to settle for second place in the tournament.
Coach Jack Salvemini commended Guerra and Wheeler for their outstanding offensive play throughout the tournament as well as the fine defensive play of goalies Scott Morgan and Adam Johnson; fullbacks Chris Dasgupta, Jorge Enriquez and Dylan Frechette; and midfielders Salvemini, Sanchez and Villa.
Last weekend, the Eagles traveled to Pleasanton to participate in the challenging Ballistic Summer Classic. The Eagles opened up against the rough-and-tough Turlock Tornadoes where they suffered a 2-0 loss. They also lost their second game to the hometown team, Ballistic United 2-1. The Eagles, who were playing one man short for 40 minutes, managed to tie the game when Wheeler scored from a long pass by Salvemini that began behind the half-line. Wheeler took the ball up field, faking out the Ballistic goalie for the shot. Playing one man short finally took its toll on the Eagles as Ballistic managed to go ahead with only minutes left on the clock.
On Sunday, the Eagles were finally at full force, but it wasn’t enough to beat the Santa Cruz Breakers, who quickly jumped out to a 2-0 lead. The Eagles, however, stayed strong and fought back, but had to settle with a 6-3 loss. Goals were scored by Villa as well as Greg Hamik and Pedro Ulloa, who were both playing in their first game since returning from vacation.
In the Eagles’ final game, they were matched up against the Danville Mustangs. The two teams fought long and hard until the waning minutes of the game when the Eagles finally broke loose on a goal by Guerra with a double assist via Salvemini and Wheeler for a 1-0 win. Once again the Eagles were praised for their strong commitment and fine play especially Roupen Arzoumanian, Jordan Bredehoeft, Sean Little, Enriquez, Frechette, Johnson, Sanchez and Villa.
This weekend, the Eagles travel to Santa Rosa and then on to Sacramento next week, which will complete their preseason travel.
