Devils Capture Medina Tournament Title

Sugar and spice and everything…tough as nails, with a little grass and dirt rubbed in. That’s what some little girls are made of. If you were at the Sunnyvale Medina Tournament U11 Girls Final on Sunday, you can attest to that observation. After squeaking out a nail biting 2-1 shootout win in the tournament semi-finals over the San Carlos Blaze, the SASC Devils turned in a gutsy 3-1 win in the Championship Game over the Ukiah Pumas.

Celebrating Goal #1

Facing off in a tournament final for the second time this season, the Devils & Pumas rematch turned out to be every bit as entertaining as the initial showdown. The only difference was Sunday’s finale didn’t go into the nerve-racking shootout that ended the Soccer by the Bay Tournament back in August. The Medina Final was settled in the first 5-minutes of the game.

Sunnyvale opened the game with a barrage of goals in the opening minutes and never looked back. Three goals in a 5 minute span after the opening whistle blew decided this one.

The game’s first goal came at the 2 minute mark after Devils pushed the ball into the Ukiah half of the field. Courtney carried the ball up the right side, then sent a centering pass parallel to the goal line. The Ukiah keeper tried to pounce on the ball, but the pass slipped under her diving attempt. Playing at left forward, Christene was left unattended in front of the goal, where she easily gathered in the pass and buried the empty-net shot for the early lead.

Marlene battles

Akayla would setup the next goal a minute later, by dropping a pass back to Grace near the top right corner of the box. Grace left no doubt where the ball was headed as she ripped the 30-foot shot into the left corner of the goal.

The goal of the tournament would come a mere two minutes later, when Courtney once again found herself with the ball in the right corner. She carried the ball toward the goal and lofted a pass into the box to Christene, who redirected the pass with her head into the Ukiah goal. Just like that, the Devils had a 3-0 lead.

The Devils got a scare later in the half when Shivani tried to cover a shot attempt for her goalkeeper position. A Ukiah player made a run on the ball and collided with the Devils keeper, forcing her out of the game with an injured arm and knee. Audrey would replace her in net, and fall victim to a crazy bounce right before halftime.

War Paint

A Puma forward would send a lofting ball into the box from 40 feet, where it landed and took a big hop over the Devils keeper, cutting Sunnyvale’s lead to 3-1. That’s as close as Ukiah would get.

The second half was a draining exchange of back and forth runs by both teams. With emotions running high, the game turned physical with a number of fouls called. Clara assumed control of the net, directing the Devils backline. The midfielders and fullbacks would turn in one of their better games of the season to close out the victory, securing their second tournament championship this season.

Semi-Finals vs San Carlos Blaze

Kelly blasts the ball

In Sunday’s first game, the Devils walked away with a narrow win over a well prepared San Carlos Blaze team. Sunnyvale got the early jump after controlling most of the first half.

Grace would put the Devils up 1-0 on a low line drive after the ball pin-balled through the box. Marlene would rocket a shot right before half that was knocked down by an diving save by the Blaze goal keeper.

The Blaze would knot the game at 1-1 at the 31st minute on a one-touch pass in the middle of the box. The Blaze kept the pressure up and narrowly missed on taking the lead late in the contest.

Shootout!

In the shootout Akayla came up huge, stopping 3 of 6 Blaze penalty kicks. Her biggest stop came on the 5th shooter, when she reached up high to knock down a shot that was headed for the bottom of the crossbar.

Courtney, Marlene and Grace converted for the Devils in the first round of five shooter, but both teams were still deadlocked after that initial wave of shooters. Akayla stopped the first shooter in sudden-death, and Kelly would end things with a shot that split the Blaze keeper’s hands for the win.

Bracket Play vs Piedmont Highlanders

Shivani celebrates her goal

In the opening game for Sunnyvale, the Devils easily dispatched the Piedmont Highlanders 7-0. Grace opened the scoring with a shot from the top of the box at the 3 minute mark.

Akayla made it 2-0 with a turnaround blast a minute later on a feed from Kelly up the gut. Jess Jess would setup the next goal with a booming centering ball at the 18 minute mark. Audrey would gather the pass and send a shot over the crossbar moments later.

She would make it 3-0 right 8 minutes later on a shot from just outside the left post after carrying the ball around the Piedmont stopper. Christene chipped home a pass from Audrey right before half time, after Ruhi pushed the ball up to the right post.

Shivani would open the second half with her first goal of the tournament a minute in. Kelly punched home another goal at the 29 min mark for the 6-0 lead. Piedmont made a run moments later, but Jess made a dive on a loose ball to snuff out the chance. Shivani would cap the scoring by sliding another ball past the keeper with 10 minutes to play.

Bracket Play vs Alameda Islanders

Lindsay sweeps the ball

The Devils would advance to the semi-finals with a 4-0 win over the Alameda Islanders in Saturday’s nightap. Grace opened the game with a goal a minute in. She would take a lead pass up the left side before sending in a long diagonal shot that found net.

Audrey chipped a looping shot over two defenders and into the back of the net at the 12 minute mark after Courtney sent a corner through the box. Lindsay made it 3-0 on a shot from the right side at the 35 min mark, after carrying the ball up the right side and sending a 25 foot shot just past the Alameda keeper.

Kelley scooped up the ball in the offensive zone at the 40 min mark before looping around the top left corner of the box and roofing a goal to cap the scoring.

Medina Tournament Schedule

Here is the schedule for this weekend's Medina Tournament, being held at our own Sunnyvale Soccer Complex:

10/24 (Sat) – Two Games

Game #1 - Devils 98 Vs. Piedmont Highlanders 98G
Game Time: 12:45pm
Warm-up Time: Noon
Field: SASC Complex Field 1
Jersey: Red (bring both)

Game#2 – Alameda Islanders 98G Vs. Devils 98
Game Time: 4:30pm
Warm-up Time: 3:45pm
Field: SASC Complex Field 1
Jersey: White (bring both)


10/25 (Sun) - Sunday’s schedule depends on Saturday’s results

Game Time: TBA
Warm-up Time: TBA
Jersey: Bring Both

The tournament match schedule is posted at the following link :-
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tEdXi5_u-6veEhyqq0sNWYg&output=html

Fall 2009 Game 7 Photos

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10/18/09 Game Recap (2-0 Win)

Getting fired up

Playing morning games has never been a strong suit for the Devils, but the girls shook off the fog to beat host Santa Clara Sporting 2-0 at the Santa Clara Youth Soccer Park on Sunday. The win helps the Devils maintain their slim lead in the Delgado Class3A standings with three games to play.

The girls turned in one of their better performances of the season, pushing the offensive pressure for the majority of the game.

Katrina would get thins rolling with a nice shot attempt from the right side in the first minute of the game. The focus of the game was to get more shots on net, and the outside midfielder filled the order early.

After controlling the play for the first 12 minutes of the game, Sporting took advantage of a through ball that turned into a partial breakaway. The Sporting forward worked her way around 2 devil defenders then made a beeline for the goal. Shivani challenged the shot and deflected it with a leg to preserve the 0-0 tie.

Lindsay sweeps wide

The Devils keeper came up big, challenging the shooter on the play.
Sticking to the plan, the Devils would get on the board less than two minutes later Courtney converted after Akayla sent a cross from left to right that split the top of the box and the goal line. The Devils forward one-timed the pass for the 1-0 lead.

Kelly put a big shot on goal that was knocked away by the SC keeper, but the ball remained in play. Akayla worked the ball right in front of the net where Audrey put a one-timer on goal. Once again the Santa Clara keeper gloved the ball to squelch the chance.

Audrey would keep the balls flying in the direction of the Santa Clara goal, taking a shot on goal 2 minutes later that sailed wide left.

Courtney would score her 4th consecutive goal with seven minutes to play in the half by sliding a shot just inside the right post.

The defense would stand tall in the second half, preventing any shots from reaching the Devils goal keeper. Lindsay turned in her 4th consecutive solid performance at fullback, utilizing her speed to suppress the opposition.

Karsyn shoots through the fog

Getting some playing time at midfield, Ruhi, Sammie, Katrina and Karsyn made good use of their opportunities, working several balls to center forward, generating multiple scoring chances. Jessica, Shivani and Grace solidified the back line in the last 30 minutes.

The forwards frequently kept the ball pinned deep in the sporting zone, influenced by Christene, Audrey and Marlene, who did a great job of cycling the ball.

Notes: Sporting donned pink jerseys in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A big thumbs up from the Devils family for supporting this noble cause.

Game Positives--

Mid Play: The midfielders played a strong game, controlling the tempo of the game by preventing the Santa Clara offense from penetrating, and also working the ball to the forward line.

Defensive Poise: The defense was especially impressive in calmly diffusing almost every chance that came their way. The defensive corps turned in their 4th shutout of the season.

Short Passing: The short passing was phenomenal, continuing from a major strength on Saturday. The girls are starting to read each other very well, which is apparent from the pass selections that they are making. They are anticipating where their partners will be, and are succeeding at finding those passing targets.

Development Areas--

Shots from the Box: The opportunities were plenty, but holding the ball too long in shooting zones prevented some serious scoring chances. Some of the forwards and mids are trying to setup the perfect shot.

Fall 2009 Game 6 Photos

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10/17/09 Game Recap (2-1 Win)

Grace sweeps the ball

Playing the first half of their double header weekend, the Devils turned in a hard fought 2-1 win over the visiting Hollister Spirit at the Sunnyvale Soccer Complex on Saturday. Timely scoring combined with a solid defensive performance helped pace the Devils to their 5th win of the season, and second one-goal victory over the Spirit.

The Devils took the early initiative, pressing in the offensive zone with a series of nice passes. Akayla setup the Devils first scoring chance with a pretty diagonal feed to the right side, where Courtney chipped a shot to the Hollister keeper.

Courtney would get the Devils on the board at the 16 minute mark after Kelly slid a centering pass to her from the just past midfield. She would take the feed outside the box and cut toward the right post before shooting across her body and roofing the ball for the 1-0 lead.

The offense would put together another run 4 minutes later a pretty through ball that Courtney collected on the right side and sent another shot that was gloved by the Hollister keeper.

Ruhi at sweeper

The remainder of the half would be played in the Devils zone and Hollister would capitalize. The Spirit would turn up the heat, and convert on a play in the box right before half time. A series of passes ended with a cross along the top of the box that was slipped inside the left box.

Courtney put the Devils right back on top to start the 2nd half. Akayla sent a feed up the right side, where Courtney sent a rocket that caught the back of the Spirit net.

She would almost make it 3-0 seven minutes later by ringing a shot off the right post.

Marlene puts a shot on goal

The Devils backline was put to the test the last 15 minutes of the game. First, a Hollister forward would send a high arching shot in on net from 30 feet, that Audrey knocked down and was forced to pounce on in front of the goal.

That would be followed by a Wild exchange in front of Devils net with 5 to play. The Sunnyvale backs would weather the storm by clearing two chances.

The Spirit would get one final shot on goal with 3 minutes to play that sailed over the cross bar. A Hollister forward would get a huge foot on the ball, missing the crossbar by less than 3 feet.

Game Positives--

Head Balls: The midfielders and backs cleared several precarious situations with a series of solid head balls. On one sequence, the ball was headed three times before touching the ground. The girls are becoming more confident on directing the ball, especially with pressure.

Goal Kicks: One development area that the team has been steadily improving on is to generate some distance on their goal kicks.

Passing Combinations: Stringing together multiple passes, especially in tight quarters was very impressive during the game. The girls continue to improve on their passing, and are beginning to read each other well, which is translating in to better anticipation in terms of where to pass, and where to receive those passes.

Development Areas--

Clearing in Traffic: There was a dangerous tendency to try and dribble the ball out of danger when the ball was deep in the defensive zone. There is a need to work on situational ball handling / clearing.

Reacting to Off-side Traps: The Spirit setup defensive offside traps very well, and sucked the offense into several offside calls as a result. The forwards need to recognize this defensive strategy and better react.

Fall 2009 Game 5 Photos

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10/11/09 Game Recap (5-1 Win)

Christene fights for the ball

The Devils capped the weekend with a commanding 5-1 victory over the host MTH Lightning at Evergreen College on Sunday. The win kept the Devils at the head of the Class3A standings, maintaining a slim 2 point lead over the Los Gatos Wildcats.

Sunnyvale applied a steady stream of pressure in the offensive zone in the first half, which resulted in a flurry of scoring. The Devils uncorked their first shot on goal just 2 minutes into the game, setting the tone for a grand offensive display.

The first goal would come in the 4th minute after Akayla sent a centering pass to Marlene at center forward from the left side. Marlene took the feed and sent a rocket from 30 feet that deflected off the crossbar and into the Lightning goal.

Marlene's shot heads for the goal

Christene would make it 2-0 on a chip shot from the front of the goal 4 minutes later. Clara started the scoring sequence by beating a defender up the right side, before passing to Courtney in the corner. Courtney carried the ball toward the goal before sending a cross to Christene for the easy tap in.

Akayla scored the 3rd goal of the half on a blast from 25 feet 12 minutes into the game. Pinching from the center-mid position, she intercepted a clearing attempt, before beating the Lightning goal keeper with a big boot that sailed inside the left post.

The Lightning would turn up the offensive pressure late in the half, but Sammie would come up big from the keeper position, gloving a big shot from the left side. She would follow that up with another huge stop 4 minutes later. The Lightning would rip a shot from 15 feet that she was forced to pounce on.

Celebrating Akayla's second goal

The Devils would counter on a break that allowed Akayla to walk in on goal and rip a shot from the top of the box for the 4-0 lead. Marlene made a drop after receiving the centering feed, which crossed up the lightning keeper.

The lightning would cut into the Devils lead with a shot from the right side that slipped just inside the left post. The officials originally called the ball wide, but after querying the Devils keeper and checking the net they overruled their own call and awarded the Lightning a goal.

Sammie gains possession of the ball

Defense was the focus of the second half. The Devils were forced to defend against offensive pressure from the outside. The Lightning would move the ball down the wings and then lob passes to the middle. This was a new look for the defense, who responded well by clearing several attempts.

Grace would cap the game’s scoring by throwing a shot on goal from 30 feet, that weaved through the defense for the 5-1 lead.

Finishing up the half at forward, Ruhi, Sammie and Lindsay put together a string of chances that just missed converting a 6th tally. Jess, Karsyn and Katrina dictated play from midfield, serving up those chances.

1st Half Keeper: Sammie
2nd Half Keeper: Courtney