Youth Soccer: Blazers take fifth

LONG BEACH - The Corona del Mar Region 57 Under-12 Boys Plus Team,

played its first games in the Long Beach Sun & Surf Club Tournament last

week.

The Corona del Mar Blazers, a recently formed AYSO squad, broke into

action in the Bronze and Silver Club division of the 10-team tournament

and finished fifth with a 2-2 record, just missing out on advancing to

the semifinals.

The Blazers suffered two losses Saturday. They lost to the Irvine

Strikers, 2-1, as Corona del Mar’s Nick Freeman scored late in the game,

setting up a 1-1 tie.

With just a few minutes remaining, the Blazers failed to convert on

three scoring opportunities and the Strikers swung back with a

last-minute goal. The Blazers still completed a solid defensive

performance as Michael Bear, Kevin Kottke, Michael Page, Riley Sullivan

and J.P. Gormly contributed. Andy Morrow anchored as the goalie and

stopped numerous shots.

In Saturday’s afternoon game, the Blazers lost to the Diamond Bar

Force, 3-0. Playing without its fullback and down another player, the

Blazers fought an uphill battle as the Force took advantage of their own

experience. The Diamond Bar squad has been playing together for two

years.

Despite the two losses, the CdM Blazers came back on Sunday and earned

two victories. They first defeated the Glendora Tornados, 2-1, as Freeman

led the Blazers with two goals and the defense stepped up again thanks to

the help of Parker Rhodes, John Leonard and Thomas Dialynas.

The Blazers rounded out tournament action with a 3-1 victory over the

Bakersfield Havoc. Morgan Brombal scored on a corner kick and Scott

Thomsen tallied two goals, with an assist by Freeman. Andy Rovzar had

several shots on goal.