Devils Win Palo Alto Talls Tree Tournament

The Devils turned a near perfect performance this past weekend at the Palo Alto Tall Trees Tournament, taking the U12 Girls Championship with four shutout victories. The girls advanced to the tournament championship game with three solid wins, then brought home the tournament title with a hard fought win over a talented Folsom Stryker squad.

The championship game pegged two teams that dominated in round robin play. The Devils scored the maximum number of points possible during that stage of the tournament, by winning, scoring at least three goals in each game and holding their opponent scoreless.

Kelly cranks a shot on goal

In the final, Sunnyvale scored in the opening minute of play and made the lone goal hold up in a 1-0 decision over Folsom. Audrey converted the game’s only goal with a shot from the top left corner of the 18 after receiving a booming free kick from Karsyn on the right side. A foul along the right sideline, setup the 35-yard feed from the Devils stopper.

The offensive chances were limited because of great defensive play by both teams, but the Devils made things exciting when given the opportunity. After the first half ended with the Devils up by the single goal, the Strykers were expected to turn up the heat. The Devils game plan was to try and force the offense in order to limit any Stryker scoring chances.

The girls would execute the game plan to perfection, limiting Folsom to two shots in the second half. The backline play of Ruhi, Lindsay, Christene, Karsyn, Clara and Jess Jess stifled the Strykers offense.

Grace, Kelly, E and Katrina controlled the middle and set up numerous chances with a constant stream of feeds.

Devils 4 – MCFC Blizzard 0

The Devils advanced on three big wins earlier in the weekend. On Saturday, the opened the tournament with a 4-0 win over the Monterey County FC Blizzard. After a scoreless first half, the girls went to work.

Akayla gets airborne

Akayla converted 4 minutes into the 2nd half after Courtney sent a pretty ball in from the right corner. Akayla trapped it n the box then slipped a shot just inside the right post, and the offense was off to the races.

The Devils appeared to convert on a crazy play that included three touches in the air. They would be called for offside on the play, nullifying the goal, but it was a testament to the juggling work that the girls focus on. They would convert moments after that on a 25-yard free kick from Grace that sailed over the keeper.

Courtney was credited with a goal two minutes later when her shot was gloved by the keeper but carried over the goal line. She would add another tally with 10 minutes to play on a penalty kick after Kelly was fouled in the box.

Devils 3 – Stanford Wildfire 0

The girls finished Saturday with another win, a 3-0 decision over young Stanford Wildfire squad. Akayla would set the tone with a header attempt in the 7th minute that just missed left of the goal.

Lindsay securing the backline

Marlene helped snap her teammates out of funk with a goal in the 24th minute, trapping a loose ball inside the 18 and chipping a shot just under the crossbar for the #1-0 lead. Kelly made it 2-0 with a nice dribble across the 18, before finishing with a shot that clipped the left post.

Grace capped the game’s scoring by intercepting a goal kick on the right side with three minutes to play, before cranking a shot that slipped under the cross bar.

Devils 5 – Marin Storm 0

The energy level picked up in the last game of round robin play on Sunday with the Devils taking a 5-0 decision over the Sonoma Storm. Big shots were the story of the game. Karsyn unleashed a booming attempt in the 4th minute that just missed left. Akayla would follow that up with a shot from inside the 18, that was blocked by the Sonoma keeper. Marlene would unleash a third attempt on goal in the 19th minute that sailed over the crossbar.

Grace following a shot

Courtney finally converted right before halftime by taking a long feed from Akayla up the right sideline and sliding a shot past the keeper to the left post. She would add a second goal a minute into the 2nd half, duplicating her initial tally with a shot from the same spot on the right side.

Akayla got into the act and made it 3-0 in the 34th minute, by carrying a feed up the left side and rifling a ball that found nothing but net.

Ruhi scores her 2nd goal

With the game in hand, position switches were made, including moving Ruhi up from her sweeper position to center forward. She would promptly score a pair of goals to cap the win. She converted with 7 minutes to play fighting off three defenders just inside the 18 then snapping a shot with her body squared to the right sideline.

She added a second tally 4 minutes later, carrying the ball through traffic and slipping a shot inside the right post.

Sideline Reporter Infiltrates Devils Bench

Ever wonder what goes on in the heat of battle during a girls U11 soccer game...at least on the bench? DevilsTV reporter Ry Ry infiltrated the team bench last weekend at the Palo Alto Tall Trees Tournament, unbeknownst to the coaching staff. See his report here...

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.

Tall Trees Tournament Info

Here is the schedule for the upcoming Palo Alto Tall Trees Tournament:

Saturday 9/26 at 9:15 Folsom Strykers vs SASC Devils 98
Saturday 9/26 at 2:15 SASC Devils 98 vs Juventus Galaxy
Sunday 9/27 at 10:30 San Carlos United Blaze vs SASC Devils 98
Sunday 9/27 at 2:15 Flight 2 Runner Up vs Flight 1 Runner Up
Sunday 9/27 at 3:30 Flight 2 Champ vs Flight 1 Champ

All games played at Greer Park (Field #4) - West Bayshore Road, Palo Alto 94303 [Map]

Flight 1:
San Carlos United Blaze
Folsom Strykers
SASC Devils 98
Juventus Galaxy

Flight 2:
Palo Alto 99G Blue
Manteca Rangers
MP Strikers 98G Blue
San Jose AfterShocks