Devils Heat Up Sonoma Tournament

The Devils ventured to the northern extremes of the Bay Area on Sunday to participate in the Puma Seawolf Cup Six-A-Side tournament at Sonoma State University. The girls played in four games, splitting the day with 2 wins and 2 losses. The original schedule called for a five game schedule, but one of the teams in the U11 group pulled out at the last minute.

Devils Team Dinner

Many of the Devils and their families made the trek to Rohnert Park the night before, so the team enjoyed an afternoon of swimming at the hotel pool. The families than met at a local restaurant for a team dinner.

The soccer action started earlier on Saturday, but the girls had to acclimate themselves to the 6-a-side rules, which included no goal kicks beyond the midline of the small 50-yard field. They would also run into a strong Elk Grove Blue Team, which opened the 30-minute game with two quick goals.

Marlene would cut into the Elk Grove lead with a 15-foot shot from the right side just before half time. Elk Grove would add three more goals in the second half, which was capped with a pretty corner kick that was knocked into the goal by a forward who would out-leap a Devil defender for the redirect.

Akayla uses her head

The Devils would get on track in the second game against the River City Chaos, with a commanding 5-2 win. Akayla would make her return to the team with a pair of goals, including the opening tally off a chip shot from 12-feet.

She would setup the next goal by ripping a shot that rang off the left post, before Courtney swooped in to pump home the deflection for the 2-0 lead. River City would cut the Devils lead in half with a goal right before halftime, but Akayla would deposit her second score of the game with a 15-foot shot from the right side.

Audrey would push the lead to 4-1 with a goal early in the second half, after picking the pocket of a defender along the right sideline.

Katrina would make her half in goal count with a big save, knocking down a shot before diving on the rebound with two Chaos players converging on the ball.

Ruhi charges up field

The Devils would help the Chaos out with a deflection into their own goal with 4 minutes to play, but Audrey would convert once again for the capper.

In Game 3, the Devils would avenge their early morning loss to the Elk Grove, by knocking off their sister team 2-0 in a sweltering afternoon sun. Karsyn and Akayla would share the shutout, after turning in masterful performances in net.

The Devils would score both of their goals in the second half of the game. First Courtney chipped a 15-foot shot over the head of the Elk Grove White goaltender from the right side after Christene set her up with a pretty diagonal pass across the middle.

Audrey navigates in traffic

Ruhi would setup the second goal with a smart pass up the gut after the Elk Grove defense was forced to pinch up while trailing late. Marlene took the 30-foot pass, then drove straight in on net and punched home her 3rd goal of the tournament for the 2-goal lead.

Akayla would preserve the win with two great saves late in the contest.

With three games under their belt, and the afternoon heat taking its toll, the Devils struggled in the tournament finale. The bench would be shortened by one player, limiting the bench to a single substitute. They would lose to the eventual tournament champion FOSC Fire in a 4-1 game that was close through the first half.

After falling behind 2-0, Marlene would bag her 4th goal of the tournament with a spectacular 30-foot shot that tucked just inside the right post just before half time.

Marlene seals the Elk Grove game

The Devils seemed to run out of gas in the second half, surrendering another two goals to put the game out of reach. They were unable to mount the comeback that would have put them in contention for the tournament title, but the day’s performance was solid.

The tournament was a great opportunity for the girls to work on their short game and shooting. Hopefully the early start will translate into a faster start once the fall league season begins.

Here are: [Tournament Photos] | [Slideshow]