Youth Soccer News: Lightning Boys Overcome the Odds
The Carlsbad Lightning BU10 Red participated in the Presidio Cup Tournament that was hosted on December 3 and 4, 2011, with semi-finals and Finals held December 10. The team’s roster was already a bit lean, with only 10 boys on it. On top to that, one of the team’s players, Max Viernes, would be missing the entire tournament due to family/religious commitments. Then to make matters a bit more difficult, Ezekeal (Zeke) Mata would be coming out of a cast on his right foot just days before the tournament started. Mata was able to give some breaks where he could but the remaining eight would have to carry the load and go the distance.
Some would worry about another player getting injured or sick, and then the numbers are down even more. Well, let’s just say these 8 boys would not only come out ready to play, they were determined to prove that they were the best in the AA-A bracket.
The boys came out strong winning their opening match 4-1 against host club Nado. Unfortunately the second game went exactly the other way, with Lightning losing 1-4. They needed to regroup for Sunday’s game against a very strong opponent, CV Rangers. It was a very even match and the ball made its way into each team’s net, ending up in a 2-2 tie.
The following week would come with three practices of hard work and focus. Coach Rich Cooper, with the assistance of Glenn Malone, worked the boys well and had them more than ready. Lightning went into the semis, again facing the top seed in the tournament – CV Rangers. This game was a bit different Lightning dominated but had trouble slotting the goals past the CV Rangers’ keeper. The boys hit the post or shot just wide many times, but ultimately walked away with a 2-1 victory.
After a brief Christmas party at the beautiful Tidelands Park, the team prepared for the Championship Match that would have them facing Encinitas Express. The game was much more fierce than the final score of 3-0 showed at the blow of the whistle.
Nick Odom in action
Erik Moore in goal
The team put together a fantastic show. Mata would give a brief rest to teammates when needed, or for a quick strategic talk with the coach, but truly the group of 8 would not show any sign of fatigue. The defense came up huge with Miles LaVake sweeping up anything that came his way, along with his other defenders for the day, Tamir Ashkenazy and Roen Galli. Keeper Erik Moore kept anything from getting even close to the goal.
In the midfield, Bryce Hayashida, Mateja Milasinovic and Nick Oden dominated with headers and winning 50/50 balls and taking them down the field to a waiting Zak Nestoroff who, with great speed and tenacity, hit on all three shots on goal. The boys were so determined that when the final whistle blew they asked “do we play again tomorrow?”
Carlsbad Lightning vs Express BUAA-A 2011 Presidio Cup Championship
Courtesy of George Langevin Productions
After the game, Coach Rich Cooper said, “We had to come out focused and ready to play. There was not much room to move players around due to our numbers that were available. We had one flat performance in this tournament, but these boys can play with the best of the best when they give it their all. We need to work on being more consistent. We have a lot in store for these boys, and they are only going to get better and better”
This is Coach Cooper’s third year with this team, and he is going to miss them when the boys go to 11 a side next year.
At that point boys DOC of Lightning Glenn Malone will take over their development. The Boys U10 Red will be doing a couple of tournaments with some very strong competition in January to get ready for the upcoming Cal South State Cup.
You can check out the highlights from the game, courtesy of George Langevin.
ShareThis
Print
