FURY RUMBLE TO STAMPEDE PREMIER TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP

(Danville) West Coast Fury U-12 girls soccer team completed a remarkable run through one of the toughest and most prestigious competitions in California, the Mustang Stampede Tournament this past weekend.

Fury raised their sixth championship trophy over the past 18 months by surviving a grueling 6 games in the heat. However, things didn’t start out well for West Coast; their opening game of the tournament saw them fall victim to an own goal and a loss to IR Academy 1-0.

West Coast buckled down in the second game and was able to double up MVLA 2-1 as Trinity Sandridge netted both goals in the win. Kourtney Kessler and Bella Romero provided assists. The win was vital as it kept Fury’s hopes of advancing out of the group stage alive.

Game 3 of the tournament was a must win for West Coast as they would face Barcelona Bay Area. Midway through the first half, Alyssa Garza blasted a 15-yard shot to the back of the net off a stellar cross from Kelena Brongiel. The victory jumped Fury to the top of the table in their group and a spot in the quarterfinals.

In the round of eight, West Coast met up with Washington Rush. Ironically, Fury was familiar with the physical style of play in Washington having competed in the Crossfire Challenge in Seattle 3 weeks earlier. Trinity Sandridge netted the lone goal of the game off an assist from Kelena Brongiel. The defense did the rest as West Coast locked-up a place in the semifinals.

In the final four, Fury met up with the top team from Fresno, Cal Odyssey. Midway through the first half, Sandridge slipped a pass to Leela Amin who calmly slotted the ball past an on rushing goalie to give the Livermore side a 1-0 advantage. From there, the stingy Fury defense dug in and wouldn’t budge. “We have the best U-12 defense in California if not the country” said Fury Head Coach Ray Canevari . The second year coach added, Angie and Gracie Alfonzo, Celina Garcia and Faith Rogers were “flat out remarkable!!! Canevari also noted that the play of goalkeeper Kelsey Hoopes has been superb over the past month. “The transformation of Kelsey in such a short period of time is tremendous. She’s one of the best goalies around right now” The 1-0 victory over Cal Odyssey pushed Fury to the championship game.

In the final, Fury met LA Galaxy in the heat of the afternoon. However, the Fury fitness level was a key in the sixth game of the tournament as they wore down the Galaxy and recorded a 2-0 victory. Kaleigh Castillo netted both goals with assists from Kourtney Kessler and Celina Garcia. “Winning the Stampede tournament is a remarkable accomplishment for our team coach Canevari said” “watching this group of young ladies experience this achievement is really cool and it was just great to be a part of”
Coach Canevari also praised the play of midfielders, Kourtney Kessler, Alyssa Garza, Bella Romero, Kaleigh Castillo, Emily Hunt, Kristina Orbegoso, as well as forwards Trinity Sandridge, Kelena Brongiel and Leela Amin.

Next up for Fury is the start of Nor Cal league play and State Cup September 6 & 7th.

* #1 Ranking accrding to 8/20/14 Gotsoccer.com poll for U-12 girls