San Diego Soccer News: Albion Girls Bring Home the Gold from Pats Cup 2010
by Scott Bier & Carey Schumacher

Fresh off the Albion Boys U15 trip to the US Youth Soccer National Championships, the Albion Girls U13 team brought home the championship trophy from the prestigious and highly competitive Pats Cup on July 26th, 2010

Top Row – Michael-Lynn O’Kelley (Coach), Piper Townsend, Lisa Regula, Aida Arredondo, Taylor Hopkins (Captain), Alexandra Valenzuela, Gabbrielle Evaristo, Kayleigh Brower (Guest Player), Shae Provencher.  Bottom Row – Mira Thomas, Natasha Camacho-Bier, Jordan Patane, Sydney Davey, Serena Schwartz, Nessie Navarro, Nicole Black (Captain), Jessica Quilantan.

Years of training and team-building brought the girls, their families, and their coach to Orange County for the long weekend tournament.  Five of the girls have been together at Albion since their U8 season, and over the years they have earned several trips to tournament finals.  This year's Pats Cup was the team's first championship victory.
 
The championship game versus AC Milan Black began with AC Milan dominating possession with long balls down the right side to AC Milan's speedy outside midfielders and forwards.  Albion’s goalkeeper, Piper Townsend, made several sure-handed grabs to prevent any first half goals.  Albion slowly started to shut down AC Milan's wide style of play and control the possession in the midfield.  Albion generated a good chance early when forward Serena Schwartz narrowly missed to the left of the goal.  Albion continued to put offensive pressure on AC Milan, and another opportunity missed left.  Albion's defense, anchored by stopper Nicole Black, sweeper Lisa Regula, and outside defenders Sydney Davey and Mira Thomas, continued to shut down AC Milan's outside midfield by continuously clearing their long passes.  The first goal came when an AC Milan player fouled Albion's Serena Schwartz in the box, resulting in a penalty kick.  Albion outside midfielder, Gabby Evaristo stepped up to the penalty spot and hit a quick low shot into the right side of the goal.  Albion had taken the lead, 1-0.  

Play resumed, and AC Milan misplayed a pass shortly after their kickoff.  Forward Alexandra Valenzuela sprinted into the open space, intercepted the errant pass, beat the AC Milan sweeper, and scored a quick goal.  Albion had a 2-0 lead, which they took into halftime.

Team Captains: Nicole Black, Michael-Lynn O'Kelley and Taylor Hopkins

As the sun dipped lower in the late afternoon sky, the sea breezes strengthened at the San Juan Capistrano Polo Fields.  Albion Coach Michael-Lynn O'Kelley knew that the wind direction would give AC Milan, with their emphasis on long passes, an advantage during the second half.  O'Kelley instructed the girls to remain focused, win the fifty-fifty balls, and remain on alert for the long balls.  For her girls to succeed, she knew Albion would have to dominate possession and dictate the play with quick touches and ball movement.  She told each player, "Continue to battle and be a warrior with a winners mentality!  Keep up high energy and believe in each other's ability!"

The second half began just as O'Kelley had predicted, with AC Milan playing long balls with the benefit of the wind.  Albion defenders and second half goalie Jessica Quilantan snuffed out every opportunity and absorbed the early pressure.  Albion began to connect their passes and gradually took over possession.

Center midfielders Taylor Hopkins and Natasha Camacho-Bier began to dominate possession in their area.  Coupled with the outside midfielders, Gabby Evaristo and Nessie Navarro, Albion eventually took control of the entire midfield.  Shae Provencher scored Albion's third goal of the game on a well-executed through-ball from Taylor Hopkins.  Albion retained their 3-0 lead, and the final whistle blew as Albion's championship celebrations began.