U9 girls kickers win District II Championship with 1-0 victory
over Chilipeppers
SAN JOSE – After eight months of practice and 29 games played, the championship hung in the balance for the Orchard Valley Storm, an U9 Girls Class III squad.
On the last day of the league season, the Storm took to a well-worn field on a rainy morning in San Jose to play the Central Valley Chilipeppers for the District II title. Coming into the game, the two teams had combined for more than 40 wins, with just a single loss between them.
When the final whistle blew, the Storm had reason to celebrate – tallying a 1-0 victory and winning the District II U9 Championship against the strongest competition in the region. Combined with the championship the team won in the spring, it was an amazing inaugural season for the Storm.
The first half ended in a scoreless tie, but not due to lack of effort. Colby Carson, Megan Nebesnick and Taylor Slattery had golden opportunities turned away by the Chilipepper keeper. Meanwhile, the Storm’s league-leading defense shut down the Chilipepper offense. Midfielders Sydney Barker and Amber Thomas along with backs Jada Williams and Tula Urban continually fought for every ball and supported the Storm attack.
The second half produced much of the same. Then, with eight minutes left in the game, the Chilipeppers attacked the Storm’s left side. Back Janessa Garcia stepped up and made a great tackle, then pushed the ball forward to Kaylana Mau. Mau found Carson on the left wing and she crossed the ball to Samantha Riolo in the middle. Riolo drew two defenders and pushed the ball to the right side for an unmarked Taylor Slattery – who ripped a shot just inside the right goal post for the game-winner.
The Chilipeppers launched an all-out attack during the final two minutes. The Storm defense suffered two uncharacteristic breakdowns as the clocked ticked down. Janessa Garcia saved the Storm on the first play with a great tackle just outside the box. The second Chilipepper bid to tie was denied by the District’s best keeper, Rebekah Inouye, who made the save of the year on a breakaway attempt by the Pepper’s striker.
