Benicia Arsenal U16 Girls Win Mission Valley United Tournament

With a record of 3 wins and 1 loss the Arsenal U16 girls brought home the championship trophy last weekend at the Mission Valley United Tournament.

Arsenal opened the weekend on Saturday, Sept. 24, playing the Davis Legacy Legends. The Arsenal girls went down a goal 15 minutes into the first half. With seconds to play in the first half, Dominique Calloway received a well-placed through ball from Michelle Minahen, dribbled past the Davis goal keeper and placed the ball in the back of the empty net. 

Coach Joshua Bradley made a few defensive adjustments and the Arsenal girls were able to keep the Davis team pinned on their side of the field during the second half. With 10 minutes remaining in the game, Arsenal was awarded a free kick from 25 yards out. Jenna Rogenski took the direct kick and was able to put an excellent shot on the goal frame to score the winning goal. 

The afternoon game was against hometown team Mission Valley United (MVU). Arsenal gave up an early goal, but then the defense led by Jenna Rogenski, Emily Wolfe, Breanna McBride and Abbey Heuschel, along with strong work in the goal all Saturday by Virginia Henderson, tightened up and denied all opportunities the rest of the game. The Arsenal girls were able to rally back in the second half with two goals by Michelle Li, winning the game, which guaranteed them a spot in the championship.

On Sunday morning, the Arsenal girls lost to Tiburon Sharks 1 – nil.  The team was already looking ahead to the championship match, which had Arsenal once again against the hometown team Mission Valley United.

In the championship game, both teams battled hard and strong the entire match. After regulation time, the game was still at a scoreless draw.  The two teams went into two overtime periods, which finished with at a 0 – 0 draw.  Up next was penalty kicks. With three excellent saves in the goal by Katie McLaughlin, Benicia won in penalty kicks 2 – 1.