Murietta Surf G99 White show off their championship medals from the Irvine Summer Classic. Photo courtesy of Murietta Surf

Youth Soccer News: Murietta Surf GU13 Show Strength in Tournament Play

Since the summer began,Murietta Surf G99 White have been showing their strength in regional tournaments. Under the direction of coach Peter Schultz, the team picked up two champions trophies and just missed out on a third, falling in the penalty kick phase.

The tournament season opened with the girls playing in the Memorial Super Cup in San Diego over the Memorial Day weekend. Competing in the Girls U12 (U13 in 2012-2013) division, Surf opened with a 2-0 win over Hotspurs White on Saturday morning, May 26. That was followed by a 5-0 victory in the afternoon against Bonita Matrix. On Sunday Surf defeated SDSC GU12 Warren to take the top position in Flight B and earn a trip to the finals against the Flight A winner.

In the championship match, Surf took on a strong Rebels Soccer Club GU12 team that had also gone undefeated in pool play, beating SDSC GU12 Warren (2-1), Quest SC (4-1) and Hotspurs White (2-1). The two teams played toe-to-toe the entire game, with neither side conceding a goal. Finally, the match went to the penalty kick phase where Rebels managed a 2-1 victory to take the title.

At the Irvine Summer Classic in June, Surf once again showed their dominance on the pitch, scoring 12 goals and allowing only one. Their only non-win came in their first match of the tournament when they drew FC Heat Blue 1-1 on Saturday afternoon, June 23. But the team came back just hours later to defeat San Diego FA by a convincing 5-0 score. In their final preliminary match the Surf girls beat SC Athletic 1-0 to earn a shot at the championship.

The finals were a case of déjà vu as Surf and SC Athletic once again faced off on the field of play. SC Athletic had defeated San Diego FA (3-0) and FC Heat Blue (1-0) before losing to Surf. Many expected another tight match, but the girls from Murietta had other ideas. Showing determination and skill, Surf put on a clinic as they won 5-0 to claim their first title of the summer.

Murietta’s second crown came at the Canyon PSA Invitational Tournament in Orange County in July. Once again Surf allowed only one shot to find the back of the net as the team’s 4-4-2 system kept their goalkeeper well protected. The team opened strong, with a 4-1 win over Bonita Matrix on Saturday afternoon, July 14. Murietta then went on to defeat OCP White and SCV Magic Green by identical 1-0 scores on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. That set up another meeting with SC Athletic for the Girls Under 13 White title.

SC Athletic had opened slowly, with a 0-0 draw against Arsenal White-Glenn on Saturday morning, then had gone on to showcase their offense with a 5-1 win over Walnut Creek Galaxy in the afternoon and a 5-0 victory over Murietta Surf G99 Blue on Sunday morning. As the two teams took the field there was obvious tension all around. In the end, Surf once again had SC Athletic’s number as they took a 3-0 win for their second summer championship.

Memorial Cup Girls U12 (U13 in 2012-2013) Finalists	Canyon PSA Invitational Tournament Girls Under 13 White Champions

“We played a 4-4-2 and our goalie rarely was touching the ball,” said Coach Schultz. "The whole team played great, and as a team.  Our passing, moving and getting the ball to space looked great.”

Murietta Surf G99 White now look ahead to the rest of the summer and the upcoming 2012-2013 season.

All photos courtesy of Murietta Surf G99

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