Youth sports: U-11 Walnut Creek United Places Third at Breakers Cup in Santa Cruz

The U-11 Walnut Creek United boys soccer team continued to impress with a third-place finish at the Santa Cruz Breakers Cup.

A 4-0 win against the No. 6-ranked team in Northern California CM Arsenal '00 Blue opened up pool play for No. 17-ranked Walnut Creek. 

"The game was a little scary at first because the other team was passing very well," coach Chris Rodd said. "But we broke through with a great, blue-collar goal from Jordan Burkes which opened up the game for our speedy players."

After beating Tri-Valley Inter 4-0, Walnut Creek had a chance to advance to the finals, but lost 3-0 to Everton.

"We had a lot more scoring chances," Rodd said. "But their speed up top and their counter attacking ability lead to the loss."

Against the host Santa Cruz in the third-place game, Walnut Creek came back from a 3-1 deficit to win 4-3.

Jake Gaines scored a goal right before halftime from 25 yards out to cut into the lead. Then in the second half, Walnut Creek dominated and Santa Cruz didnt have a shot on goal.

"We were pelting the goal with shots, but tying goal came in the last 10 seconds of the game," Rodd said. "James Person got by a number of defenders and was taken down from behind on a break away. Devyn Fisher converted the Penalty Kick at the last second."

James scored a quick goal in overtime to give Walnut Creek the lead and Nicholas Bland hit the post twice nearly sealing the game for the United. 

Kellen Dresdow, Devyn Fisher and Bland all played well on the field, while Michael Jacobsen and Ross Gruen both played well in goal.