It was a successful first day of group play at the Far West Regional soccer tournament for the Mustang Soccer Club as two of its four teams picked up wins, with the other two picking up points off ties.
The greatest challenges the four sides faced were adjusting to the high altitude and thick grass at the Albuqueque, N.M., complex.
"(The altitude) was tough for some, but others handled it well," U-16 Rampage coach Joe Owen said. "I saw six soccer games today and every team was affected by the conditions in some way."
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Under-14 Fury coach Chad Harper said there was a definite adjustment period to not only the altitude, but the thick grass and expects his team to play better as the week goes on.
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Under-13 — Mustang Mavericks 1, San Diego Surf 1
After falling behind early in the game, Morgan Pierce tied the game just before the end of the first half on an assist from Natalie Romacko.
There would be no more scoring.
"It was a very tough match against the No. 1 team in Southern California," coach Pat Uriz said. "We hit the post a couple times and they scored on a P.K."
Getting a point against Surf bodes well for the Mavericks' chances getting through the group stage. Traditionally, the group's other two clubs from Idaho and Oregon do not field teams as strong as those from California.
"Both teams had their lulls, but it was a hard-fought match against a very good squad," Uriz said. "We didn't mind getting the tied, but it wasn't the result we were hoping for."
The Mavericks play Oregon's United Mercury, a 3-1 loser Monday, on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m.
Coach: Pat Uriz
Schedule
Monday: Mavericks 1, San Diego Surf White 1. Final.
Tuesday: vs THUSC - United Mercury (Oregon), 12:30
Wednesday: vs Coeur d'Alene Sting (Idaho), 11 am
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Under-14 — Mustang Fury 3, Magic City (Montana) 0
Even in a one-sided victory, Fury coach Chad Harper said Monday's victory against Magic City left a lot to be desired.
"We played decent, but not strong enough to beat the teams we're playing in our next two games," Harper said.
He said the nation's three best teams might be in the group with Southern California's Arsenal FC-WCS and Arizona's Sereno 96 along with the Fury.
The Fury jumped on the board about ten minutes in when Erika Perez scored following a long run by Haley Lukas.
Lukas added a goal about 10 minutes later after a nice cross from Alex Weltz and Perez rounded out the scoring by stealing the ball from a defender midway through the second half and finishing on her own.
It gets much tougher tomorrow.
"(Arsenal FC-WCS) is the best team in the country in my eyes," Harper said.
The Fury lost 2-0 in the last meeting between the clubs about eight months ago. The Southern California-based club topped Sereno 2-1 in its game on Monday.
"If we play our style there isn't a team that can beat us," Harper said. "We just need to do that and not revert back to old habbits."
Coach: Chad Harper
Schedule:
Monday: Fury 3, Magic City (Montana 0. Final.
Tuesday: vs Arsenal FC-WCS (So. California), 4 p.m.
Wednesday: vs Sereno 96 White (Arizona), 2 p.m.
Monday: Blast 3, So Cal Blues - WCS (So. California) 0. Final.
Tuesday: vs Leahi 95 Premier (Hawaii), 2 p.m.
Wednesday: vs Arsenal FC (So. California), 10 a.m.
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Under-16 — Mustang Rampage 2, Sereno 94 White 2
Perhaps taking a cue from the Men's National Team, the Ramage found themselves in an early 2-0 hole before fighting back to earn a point with a 2-2 tie.
"We came out really flat and didn't look sharp," coach Joe Owen said. "But after we got ourselves in the hole, we dominated."
Sami Schrakamp earned a penalty kick with the Rampage trailing 2-0 and and Celeste Boureille buried it to cut the deficit to a goal. She followed that up with a brilliant turn and volley to tie the game just before the half.
"Celeste was the player of the match," Owen said. "She took over at times."
Briana Gaines, a Southern Methodist University commit and Dougherty Valley High student, had a great scoring chance early in the second half, the Rampage hit the post two more times and controlled the tempo, but could not find a goal for the desired result.
"I'm proud of the girls," Owen said. "After being down two-nil, they showed a lot of character coming back. I expected our girl to fully come out and get a result tomorrow (against Neusport FC of Nevada)."
Head coach: Joe Owen
Schedule
Monday: Rampage 2, Sereno 94 White (Arizona) 2. Final.
Tuesday: vs Neusport FC 94 Green (Nevada), 8 a.m.
Wednesday: vs NM Rush Nike 94G (New Mexico), noon
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