4th Place Finish at Palo Alto Tall Trees Tournament

Shivani drives up the wing

Following up their big Championship win the Soccer by the Bay Tournament last month, the Devils turned in another strong showing, taking 4th place in the Palo Alto Tall Trees Tournament this past weekend. The Devils posted three shutouts in pool play, then would fall 1-0 in the consolation final.

Playing four teams they’ve never seen before, the Devils put together great team soccer against formidable opponents. Each game was tough, but the girls stood up to the challenge. The consolation final game pegged the Devils against the South San Jose Aftershock in a hard fought contest.

Defense and goaltending was the theme of the tournament for the Devils. After keeping the ball out of their own net all weekend, they would surrender their lone score of the game 8 minutes into the finale. A tricky hop and a speedy forward would add up to a scoring chance that would end up in the Devils goal.

Katrina cuts back across the grain

Both teams would fight for every inch of the field the remainder of the contest. The Devils best scoring chance came in the 2nd half, when Marlene curled a 25-foot shot just outside the left post. Sunnyvale would press the matter late in the game, but the Aftershock defense suppressed the attack.

Unfortunately for the Devils, they would fall short after a great effort. It was a tough ending after such great performances by every player throughout the weekend.

Game 1 – Folsom Strykers

In the first game of the tournament, the Devils leaned on big goaltending to earn a 0-0 tie against the Folsom Strykers. Kelly would keep the Strykers off the board with solid play in net. The solid defensive play was capped with a big header by Clara that cleared a big corner ball in the Devils box.

Katrina would show off her big foot, with a booming shot at the 5 minute mark that was deflected by the Strykers keeper.

Sammie dribbles in traffic

In the 2nd half, Akayla saved the Devils bacon with a series of big stops in net. She would breakup a breakaway with 13 minutes to play by snagging a shot above her head. She came up with another monster stop 5 minutes later to preserve the deadlocked game.

The backline did a fantastic job of holding off a talented Folsom team. Their play was showcased by Lindsay, who used her speed to clear several dangerous situations out of the Devils end of the field. At midfield, Shivani’s aggressiveness to the ball helped control the right side.

The weekend’s biggest blemish came in warm-ups, when E was hurt while warming up in goal.

Game 2 – Juventus Galaxy

Saturday’s second game featured a frustrating 1-0 win over the Juventus Galaxy (Redwood City). The Devils controlled the field, but they failed to convert on several golden chances. The low scoring affair also would keep the Devils out of the Championship Final on Sunday, which was determined by won-loss record, goals scored and shutouts. Unfortunately, goals scored carried more weight than shutouts.

Lindsay turns on the jets

The first half was filled with opportunities. Audrey and Akayla teamed up early in the game on a drop-and-feed scenario that resulted in a nice shot on goal. Courtney would follow that up with a pretty cross right before the half-time whistle.

She would repeat the scenario to open the second half, but this time Marlene would get a boot on the ball, chipping a shot that the Galaxy keeper had to snare out of the air.

The mid-field play was led by strong efforts by Sammie and Shivani. The pair energized their teammates with up-tempo efforts and some nice passing that created several offensive rushes.

The Devils would finally get on the board with 3 minute to play, when Kelly took a give-and-go pass from Audrey along the left sideline, then raced in on goal and punched home the game winner. The shot sailed from left to right, catching the side netting just inside the right post.

Karsyn would make things interesting in net, when a late shot attempt skipped through her hands and perched itself on the right post. She was forced to dive back to the ball as a Galaxy forward streaked toward it.

Game 3 – San Carlos United Blaze

In the final pool play game of the tournament, the Devils needed to win or tie in order to qualify for the playoff round. They would come up big with a 3-0 win over the San Carlos United Blaze in game that was closer than the score might indicate.

Kelly puts a shot on goal

Once again, goaltending was the cornerstone to the victory. Clara protected the net in the opening half and came up big on several Blaze chances. On two occasions, she challenged breakaways and smothered the scoring chances with big slide tackles.

Audrey would get the Devils on the board early with a goal from the left side after Akayla made a nice feed up the line. Courtney would convert 9 minutes later on a long through ball that hopped over the San Carlos defense to make it 2-0.

The Devils narrowly missed on a corner 3 minutes later, after the ball was sent into the box. Marlene grabbed the ball outside the right post and made a pretty drop to Kelley for a chip shot that was gloved by the Blaze keeper.

With a backline that was clicking all weekend, the Blaze tried to mount an offensive push in the 2nd half, but Ruhi, Karsyn, Lindsay, Shivani and Jessica clamped down on the chances by clogging up the middle of the field.

Marlene would make it 3-0 after cleaning up on a Christene shot that deflected off th Blaze keeper. With the ball dribbling through the box, the Devils forward easily tapped home the game’s final goal.

Akayla would uncork a 30-foot shot for good measure at the 45 minute mark that had t be gloved near the right post.