Devils Capture 3rd Place at 2009 D2 Cup

The 2009 fall season officially came to an end on Sunday with the conclusion of the District 2 Jamboree Cup at the Sunnyvale Soccer Complex. Not to be outdone by their other wonderful accomplishments this season, the Devils brought home a 3rd place finish in the tournament, allowing a mere two goals in four games throughout the weekend. The bronze medal performance gave the girls a top 4 finish in all four tournaments played during the fall season. That, along with the league championship, made the fall 2009 season the most successful in the team’s brief history.

Saturday’s competition pegged the Devils against the South San Jose Aftershock and the Almaden Quicksilver. The first game of the tournament would turn out to be the one that got away, and also prevented the Devils from reaching a tournament championship final for a third time this season.

Game 1 vs South San Jose Aftershock

The early morning game bug would bite the Devils once again, who have been notoriously slow starters in games that commenced before 9am. This game would be no different. The Aftershock gave the Devils an early scare, when Clara, the Devils keeper, pinched out to the left corner of the box to cut-off a partial breakaway. She would partially deflect the ball, but it would end up on the aftershock forward foot wide left of the goal. A shot attempt rang off the post, and Sunnyvale was able to clear the ball safely.

The tightly played contest would begin to open up in the devils favor late in the 1st half. Marlene would just miss on a rocket shot from the top of the box that squarely hit the crossbar in the 20th minute.

Sunnyvale would carry the momentum into the start of the 2nd half, narrowly missing on several chances in the Aftershock zone. After 55 minutes of back and forth play, the field would tilt in the Aftershock’s favor. Sadly, Sunnyvale’s home field advantage would bite them. A seemingly routine shot from 35-feet out hit a rut in front of the goal and deflected past Christene, the Devil’s 2nd half keeper for the only score of the game.

Audrey split two defenders a minute later and had an unimpeded line to the goal, but her 20-foot shot was gloved by the aftershock keeper. The Devils made a wild rush to even the game, holding the ball in the South San Jose end of the field for the remainder of the game, but the couldn’t get the ball across the goal line.

Game 2 vs Almaden Quicksilver

Grace works in traffic

The night cap would prove to be a better representation of Devils soccer, with the girls cruising to a 3-0 win over the Almaden Quicksilver. Courtney opened the game’s scoring with a 20-foot shot from the right side that hit the left rear corner of the Almaden net.

Audrey would setup the next goal by splitting two defenders in the 15th minute, then cutting back to her right and making a pretty cross to the right side where Akayla gathered the pass and punched home the 15 footer for the 2-0 lead.

Akayla made it 3-0 in the 30th minute after Courtney lofted a ball from the left side. Sammie received the ball and slid it to her left for the Akayla one-timer from 10 feet out.

Game 3 vs Burlingame Cyclones

Sunnyvale seemed intent on shaking off the rocky start from the previous morning by pressing the play from the opening whistle. Their urgency resulted in a little too much focus on offense. That would bite them, when a Burlingame shot from 30 feet weaved its way past two Devils’ defenders and the goal keeper in the 11th minute.

Sunnyvale would right the ship and get place more emphasis on the team play that has been so successful this season. The defensive corps buckled down with Kelly moving to the sweeper position and Clara, Lindsay, Karsyn and Jess Jess forcing the ball up field.

Jess Jess swings the ball wide

Akayla would tie the game in the 16th minute after Jess Jess chipped a corner kick feed off the Burlingame keeper. Jess Jess’ shot bounced to the right, where Akayla deposited the equalizer.

The Devils would press the action in the 2nd half, trying to nail down a win, which would put them in the Consolation Final. With time winding down, Burlingame built a head of steam and pushed the ball deep into the Devils zone. Marlene would make a big save with 7 minutes to play, preserving the Devils chances of qualifying for an appearance in the playoff round.

They would get the goal they need in the last minute of play, when a clearing attempt sailed past the Burlingame defense. Akayla had the step she needed and raced down field, out-running two defenders and placing a shot to the right of the Cyclones keeper for the fairy-tale finish.

Consolation Final vs MVLA Typhoons

The consolation final matched two teams very familiar with each other. Sunnyvale and the MVLA Typhoons have faced each other 4 times in league play this year alone, with Sunnyvale taking each meeting.

Audrey drives on goal

The Devils would pour on the offense in the first half, with great play from the midfielders. Grace, Sammie, Katrina, Shivani and Clara would control the middle of the field, preventing the ball from escaping the MVLA zone for seemingly the entire first half.

The midfielders would create the first score of the game by pressing with the ball pushed deep into MVLA territory. Katrina would place the ball at the top of the box, where Grace put a shot on goal. The MVLA keeper made the initial save, but Akayla was there for the put backing the 21st minute, scoring her 5th goal of the tournament.

Making her first appearance in goal since breaking her arm, the Devils keeper, E, was only required handle the ball twice, because of the smothering play by her teammates.

Audrey would push the lead to 2-0 in the 25th minute on a feed up the middle from Grace. The Devils forward received the ball near the top of the penalty arch, then turned toward the goal and punched home a bullet from 15 feet.

MVLA was motivated to get back in the game, and they would cut into the lead with 4 minutes to play on a shot that deflected off Sammie, the 2nd half keeper. The point blank shot came from just outside the right post, but the Devil made a valiant effort to snare it.

The Typhoons had lots of motivation, but not enough time, as the clock expired and the Devils fantastic season came to an end as it has so many times this season… with a victory.

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.