Strikers still perfect

Mike Sciacca

The Huntington Beach Strikers have marched through the 2001 postseason

in much the same fashion they went through the regular season -- nearly

unbeatable.

The boys’ Under-12 Division team out of AYSO Region 117 claimed an

Area 11-K tournament championship last weekend by defeating Region 55,

4-2, in Sunday’s final.

The Strikers, 62-14 this season, won five games during the two-week

tournament and earned the right to advance to the Section tournament at

UC Irvine in March.

“I’m really proud of all the boys for working so hard throughout the

season, and continuing to do so in the league and area playoffs,”

Strikers Coach Issa Demes said. “They are a strong team and have scored

62 goals, with only 14 scored against them. We could not have come this

far without the boys’ desire and the support of these parents. We’re

looking forward to the Section tournament in March.”

The Strikers’ toughest Area 11-K match was a 2-1 victory over Region

517. Paul Raspudic scored the first goal off a Trevor Pirtle assist,

Tyler Demes scored what proved to be the winning goal, and goalkeeper

Justin Kyle limited Region 517 to a single goal.

In the tournament, Raspudic led the Strikers with 10 goals scored, Zachary Mishler scored two, and Ryan Kragen had one goal. The play of

Alex Accetta, Tyler Freleaux, Michael Gale, Scott Lucas, Scott Mackie,

Christopher Shopshire and Eric Sun also has keyed the Strikers’ success

this season.

In other Area 11-K Under-12 Division action:

HUNTINGTON BEACH UGLY WINS A PAIR

Huntington Beach Ugly opened the Area 11-K tournament playoffs

Saturday with a pair of victories.

First, the Ugly shut out Region 5, 2-0, behind the play of goalkeeper

Danny Rey, midfielders Casey Sheridan and Jeff Meigs, and defenders Brian

Adsit, Kyle Campana and Kevin Danielson. Greg Weaver scored both goals,

one off an assist from Nick Abraham.

The second matchup was a breather, as the Ugly scored a 6-1 decision

over Region 55. Andy Smith and Josh Sabillion each scored twice, Justin

DeMarco and Shane Gardner each scored once, and Weaver and Tyler Chapman

each had an assist.

“Our team is truly improving with each game,” Huntington Beach Ugly

Coach Shane Stanton said. “The boys are playing smart and know who to

create many scoring opportunities with their touch passing. This is a

good way to start such an important tournament.”