David Gomez, Jr.
Posted: Wednesday, October 31, 2012 3:42 pm

FC Blades GU13 took a 3-1 victory over OC Premier G99 Orange to move up in the Coast Soccer League standings

Youth Soccer News: FC Blades GU-13 Move Up in Coast Soccer League Standings

The FC Blades Girls Under-13 team defeated OC Premier G99 Orange 3-1 in Coast Soccer League’s Girls Under-13 Gold division on Sunday, October 28. The victory gives FC Blades a jump in the standings and some momentum heading into League Cup play in November.

The midday game at Santiago Charter School in Orange was everything it was billed to be. The first half was a defensive battle. Each team had a few opportunities, but the defenses proved impenetrable on both ends of the pitch. FC Blades defense proved its weight in gold with stellar performances by Kelly Cottone, Kyra Greenwood, Stephanie Joynt, Abby Martinez, Tabytha Smith, and Molly Torell. The half ended in a scoreless tie with shots on goal from Blades’ Frances Lahr, Lauren Medow, Austyn Briggs, and Kira Greenwood.

The second half kicked off with Blades pressing for the advantage. However, in the 7th minute OC Premier’s counter attack proved lethal. Premier took advantage of a long ball on a breakaway and guided in a goal with a sliding shot in the left side of the area, taking the lead of 1-0 in a crucial league game.

Battle continued with Blades determined to at least equalize for a good result. In the 21st minute of the second half, Blades’ Abby Martinez threw in the ball from the left touch line near the area. Kira Greenwood made quick work of it by heading in the equalizer, notching it up at 1 goal apiece.

With time running out, both teams fought hard to get the elusive 3 points a victory would earn them. In the 34th minute, Blades’ Torrel took a direct free kick on the left half of the pitch, four yards beyond the area. The ball fell to the feet of Ava Gomez on the right side of the 6-yard area. Gomez deftly took a one touch shot which proved too hot to handle for the keeper who simply deflected the ball. The bounce was timed perfectly for Medow who was trailing Gomez, and she gave Blades their first lead of the game with a wonderfully struck ball, moving the score to 2 – 1.

Premier took the restart but lost the ball to Blades’ Averee Dubach who took the ball at the midfield and adroitly moved the ball with skill to earn herself a 1 on 1 with the keeper, which she quickly took advantage of. Dubach’s perpetual motion and lovely shot with time expiring gave her and her teammates the victory and points with a final score of 3-1 in this excitement-filled match.

Blades players with shots on goal in the second half were Ava Gomez, Lauren Medow, Molly Torrel, Abby Martinez, Averee Dubach, Austyn Briggs, and Kira Greenwood.

Related Article: FC Blades Win