Dudes cap unbeaten regular season

The Dudes, a boys’ Under-12 Division team out of AYSO Region 56, ran

their win streak to 12 games Saturday and capped an undefeated regular

season by edging the Cyclones, 4-3.

Led by David Taylor, Cam Harlin and Jason Baer, the Dudes struck first

when a thundering corner kick by Taylor was headed into the net by

Harlin. A score by the Cyclones’ Nic Faas outside the 18-yard line,

however, tied the game at 1-1. But then the Dudes scored three unanswered

goals, two by Harlin, who finished with a hat-trick.

Taylor scored the third goal in the blitz.

Another goal by Faas and one by Jacob Sobelman, plus the strong play

of John Dachroeden, allowed the Cyclones to pull to within 4-3. That was

as close as they could get as the defense of stopper Michael Sauceda,

defender Kevin Itson and the net play by Christopher Shlanko, who turned

away a late penalty kick, preserved the win for the Dudes.

Justin Whitt, Tracy Itson, Chris Siebel, Nic Stephens, Alex Bauer,

Josh Spreeman and Emmanuel Cabello also figured prominently in the win as

the Dudes will take a 12-0-1 record into Saturday’s playoffs.

“This is the most focused group of kids that I have ever coached,”

said Dudes Coach Dennis Taylor, who has coached for seven years. “Not

only are they talented but every one of these kids comes ready to play.”