U14 boys soccer compiles 2-1 tournament record
GILROY – The Orchard Valley U14 Boys’ Class I soccer club finished this past weekend’s District Cup tournament with a 2-1 record – just missing the consolation match. By virtue of the team’s 19 points, the Stingrays finished fifth out of 16 District II teams entered in the tournament.
Stingrays 2, Alum Rock Tarascos 0
The Stingrays earned their first shutout of the season, defeating the squad from Division 2, with two second-half goals. Although the Stingrays controlled play, and had nine shots on goal, they could not find the net in the first half. The game marked the return to action for (previously injured) Spencer Razouk and Sheldon Steenhuis – who helped the Stringray attackers and mid-field with their aggressive play. Early in the second half, Ricardo Plata scored a goal, with a nice assist from Noel Vera. Late in the contest, the Stingrays drew a corner kick, and Plata blasted one to the center of the box. After a wild scramble, Brendant Palomo headed the ball into the net for the extra margin the Stingrays needed. The Stingrays defense of Eric Miller, Matt Altamirano, and Casey Mott helped goalkeeper Kevin Grove record the shutout.
Stingrays 2, Atlas Fury 3
With both teams having won their morning games, this match decided the pool winner. The Stingrays broke on top early, as Steenhuis took a lead pass from Danny Nelson, and deftly placed the shot past the Fury keeper. The Fury responded with a goal to even the score midway through the first half. However, mid-fielders Bryan Faulk, Gerardo Murillo, Blake Presar, and Nelson continued to play ball possession, and their transition of a lead pass found Noel Vera on the left wing unmarked. Vera dropped the pass to striker Plata, who found right winger Murilo Almeida for the go-ahead goal. Leading 2-1 at half-time, the Stingrays could not respond to the energy of the Fury in the second half. A penalty in the box gave the Fury a penalty shot – which went off Grove’s hand and into the back of the net. Shortly thereafter, the Fury scored the winning goal, and with most of the second half to play, the Stingrays couldn’t score the tying goal.
Stingrays 1, De Anza Force 0
In the rubber match of their three-match series over the last three weeks, the Stingrays defeated De Anza with a second-half goal and outstanding saves by Grove in net. The Force controlled the first half, as they had nine shots on goal compared to just one for the Stingrays. Replacing normal fullback Altamirano was Myles Downing, who worked real hard and shut down the left winger of the Force. The move allowed Altamirano to return to the right wing position, and he scored his second game-winner against the Force in two weeks. The goal was setup by Plata and Nelson, with a one-two combination to evade the defense. With just a 1-0 lead, Grove made a diving save on a blast from the top of the box, and stopped all 13 shots he faced for the shutout.
