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NorCal State Cup Champions
It is said that “A journey of a thousand miles begins
with one step” and boy what a journey it’s been for the
Placer United Prestige ’97 girls -- A journey that began
in mid-September and culminated in the eventual Northern
California State Cup Championships on a brisk Saturday
afternoon in Woodland, CA in mid-December. A journey
that began amongst 51 other U13 teams and included
victories against some of the best teams in the State
and the country. And the numbers? – 8 wins, 0 losses, 1
tie, 17 goals for, and 2 goals allowed.
After winning their preliminary round of the tournament
and going 3-0-0, the Girls advanced to the second round
in the top bracket. After a slow start with a 1-1 tie
versus Modesto Ajax, the girls picked up steam and won
the next two games and won the second round bracket
2-1-0. This placed the girls in the final 8 and a spot
in the Super group. This also meant a quarterfinal match
against an old foe and number one seed – Santa Rosa
United. The girls came out a bit flat and were not able
to initially put on a great deal of pressure, but as
always were able to maintain a stiff and never breaking
defense. As the game progressed, the girls picked it up
but after regulation and double golden goal overtime,
the score was 0-0. The girls, who haven’t lost a game in
PKs this year, once again put it together and advanced
to the Super group semi-final game vs. State Champ
Danville Mustangs the following morning. The morning
game was cold with extreme winds. Playing against the
wind in the first half, the Placer girls had a few
chances, but could not finish. The Mustangs were
pressing, but also could not break the D. As the second
half began and going with the wind, the girls were able
to finally find a crack in the Mustang defense and on a
beautiful corner kick took a 1-0 lead. The Mustangs,
however, would not lay down and brought on a barrage of
offense, while the Prestige girls held them defensively;
but with less than a minute left on the clock the
Mustangs equalized and regulation ended in a 1-1 tie.
After a scoreless double overtime, the teams went to
PKs, and once again, the Placer girls prevailed going
4-1.
The championship game matched the girls against
cross-town rival Elk Grove United. As the whistle blew,
the Prestige girls came out running and gunning forcing
several corners and several shots on goal, but nothing
went in. Elk Grove was on their heals, but would not
relent and eventually began pressing the Placer side.
The game was reminiscent of two heavyweight boxers –
each getting in punches but neither being able to knock
the other out. As in the previous two matches, this one
also went to PKs and once again, the girls prevailed and
went on to claim the title of Norcal State Cup
Champions.
An amazing job was done by one and all – tremendous
stops by goalkeeper Destiny Butcher; unrelenting defense
of Carly Olcomendy, Kelsey Ito, Sara Wagner, Carlie
Reader, and Savannah Schultz; unyielding mid support of
Sydney Talmi, Sydney Pagador, Tamren Johnk, and Makenzie
Brito; and forward pressure of Chloe Breckenridge,
Marisa Carino, Ashari Hines, Callye Lahmann, and Deja
Stone.
So how does this journey end? Tough to say, because this
journey for these girls has just begun.
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Placer United Prestige ’97 Girls
Northern California State Cup Champions
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