The U12 Boys had just returned from their annual tournament in Santa Cruz where they played very attractive soccer but were able to walk away with just 3 draws.  The boys entered the Sun Tan Classic with one objective, play technical, attractive soccer while this time, finding a way to win.

 

The first game of the tournament the boys moved the ball around for a 3-0 lead with goals from Michael Mellor, Matt Glass, Ethan Ham, against Mill Valley within the first ten minutes of the match.  Strong play from Lucas Alcala, Paul Ramirez, David Dominguez, and Andrew Daughenbaugh got us a fourth goal, by Mac Harrington, midway through the second half and sealed the game at 4-0.  Later that afternoon, the boys were shown the cruelty that is the game of soccer.  With nearly 20 crosses and shots coming from Zach Hansen, Justin Gregg, Nick Nelson and Tomas Buchmiller, the South San Jose Indios managed one shot for the 1-0 win.  After the game we knew we had some work to do on Sunday morning with the ultimate goal of facing the Indios again for a chance to win the Championship.

 

Sunday morning started very early at Cherry Island and little did we know then, the drama that would ensue throughout the day.  After a 20 minute delay to start the 8am game, the boys dominated possession against Woodland Chivas.  With ten minutes remaining in the second half, Chivas got their only shot on goal; it went in and left our GK, Andrew Encinas injured.  At that point we were facing a test to find a way to win and make it through to the finals.  With just 3 minutes left in regulation Erik Ramazzini drew a penalty kick and Mellor tied the game.  Per tournament rules, the game went straight to penalties to determine who would receive a spot in the finals, against the Indios.  Ieann Vasquez, Mellor, Zak Sievers, Ham, and Glass all hit the back of the net with authority, while goalkeeper Temoc Chavero made an incredible save to give us the win in PKs 5-3.

 

We got exactly what we wanted in a chance to face the Indios again while playing for the Championship.  We went down a goal early in the first half and would have to work extremely hard to earn the trophy.  The back four, anchored by Gabriel McEwen and Ramazzini, kept the Indios from creating anything dangerous from that point on.  Again we dominated possession, played attractive soccer and were creating chances but couldn't quite seem to break through.  It wasn't until the last five minutes of regulation were we able to catch a break.  Sievers drew yet another PK and Mellor buried it, tying the game 1-1 with just under 5 minutes to play.  The game then went to two 5 minute periods of golden goal overtime.  Both teams had chances and we managed several shots on goal as well as several corner kicks.  Finally, with just 2 minutes remaining in the second 5 minute period, Glass sent a loose ball in the box off of a corner kick into the net for the Championship.  All 18 boys rushed to embrace in the center of the field.  They all put forth a little extra effort to make a difference in the game.  Each and every boy played with tremendous heart, played smart, technical soccer and are well deserving of the Championship.