A lesson to learn from

Today, the girls faced their toughest opponent to date - the MVLA Lightning, from Northern California.  After facing the likes of Albion, Surf; Arsenal, Eagles, then Slammers leading up to Far West Regionals, the team felt confident facing the defending Regional and National Champion.  Both teams created chances in the first 25 minutes, with Shannon Shier barely missing the opening goal in a 1v1 opportunity, and MVLA hitting the crossbar off a wicked shot in the opening minutes.  At the 28th minute, the referee decided to award a penalty kick on a - shall we say "soft" foul - and MVLA went up 1-0 from the penalty spot.  Four minutes later, MVLA won a ball inside the Beach 18 yard box and the quick shot went over goalkeeper Hayley Magana's outreaching arms, making it 2-0.  The 2nd half was a better display of soccer by the Beach girls, with quality chances being created more often, testing the MVLA back line and goalkeeper on several occasions.  Beach could have cut the score to 2-1, but unfortunately, the shot from Celeste Dominguez hit the bar and not the back of the net.  MVLA secured the win and the group, by scoring their 3rd goal with roughly 15 minutes left on a cross from a very poor angle, that inadvertently ended up sailing into the Beach goal.  The game would end 3-0 to MVLA. Hats off to the MVLA GU15s - their movement, composure and reading of the game was fantastic today.

On Wednesday morning, the girls will decide their own fate, when they face the Oregon Rush from Bend, Oregon at 10:00am.  Win or tie - and move on to the Quarterfinals.  Any other result, and the girls fate is out of their hands, and decided by too many tiebreakers to list here.