AYSO Region 120: Thunderhawks have impressive showing in tourney

The Thunderhawks, a Costa Mesa APP team, shut out their first three

opponents and lost in the final game during the AYSO Region 120 boys

under-13 APP soccer tournament in North Irvine.

In the final Sunday, the Thunderhawks took on a solid Lake Forest

team. Lake Forest struck early in the game to take a 1-0 lead. The

Thunderhawks battled back with a goal from Starnes Arnold minutes later.

Late in the third quarter, Lake Forest capitalized on a penalty kick to

take a one-goal lead. The Thunderhawks made a strong effort to break

through the Lake Forest defense, but could not find the back of the net.

In Thursday’s game against North Irvine, Hayden Hiatt scored on a

cross from Kenneth Zich. Hiatt found the back of the net again minutes

later. Matt Grella added a goal late in the game.

On Saturday, the Thunderhawks took on South Irvine. Hiatt scored

back-to-back goals and Alberto Nava secured the victory with another

goal.

The Thunderhawks next faced Huntington Beach Saturday. Austin Evett

opened the game with a goal and Hiatt headed the ball into the net twice

off of corner kicks by Caleb Burgess to help Costa Mesa advance to the

semifinal.

Evett would come through again for the Thunderhawks in the team’s

semifinal game against Mission Viejo Sunday. He scored early in the game

to get the Thunderhawks rolling. Mission Viejo made a strong offensive

drive late in the game for a goal in the final seconds to tie the score.

In overtime, Nava drilled the ball through the Mission Viejo goalkeeper’s

hands to help the Thunderhawks earn a trip to the final.

In all of the tournament games, the Thunderhawks received solid

defense from goalkeeper Thomas Kosnosky, Ben Abbott, Nava, Burgess,

William Briseno and Zich. The offense was led by forwards Evett, Hiatt

and Arnold. Lending support in the midfield were Matt Grella, Rigo

Miranda, Adam Seagondollar, Benny Edles and Luis Cozza.

In boys under-14 action:

* Silver Tigers 2, Corona del Mar 0 - In the Area Q League

Championship playoffs, Avan Pasillas Buena and Brian Henriquez scored

goals for the Silver Tigers, the boys-under 14 division champions. Matt

Pisarski made 13 saves in three quarters and Pierce Rubin finished the

game off with three saves.

Nick Straubel, Joshua Henrickson, Mick Miettinen, Danny Gomez, Andrew

Cendoya, Alfredo Gonzalez, Andrew Mahle, Michael Meija, Kent Morton, Eric

West and Sal Burciaga all contributed to the win for the Silver Tigers.