CdM youth girls soccer prospers in Honolulu

The American Youth Soccer Organization Region 57 Corona del Mar

girls 16-and-under team could hold their heads high, even though they

didn’t achieve their ultimate goal.

CdM finished 2-1-2 in the 195-team 2002 National Games in

Honolulu, a pool-play formatted tournament that attracted teams from

around the nation.

CdM tallied a 3-2 win against Salt Lake City and a 3-0 win over

Trumbull, Conn. CdM got goals from Amanda Fischer, Emily Almaraz and

Elizabeth Almaraz in the Trumbull shutout as Barbara Julian, Brooke

Burgner and Elizabeth Almaraz each scored one goal in the Salt Lake

win.

CdM’s two 0-0 ties came in their first and last games, against

Aiea, Hawaii and Valencia, Calif. Goalkeeper Annika Gaar made 12

saves in the opening game as Jenelle Arnold and Mallory Reynolds

provided strong defense.

In temperatures that reached over 100 degrees on the field, CdM

battled Valencia to the end, receiving strong defense from Mackenzie

Conover and Reynolds as Heather Lohrman and Shana Goldberg had

opportunities to score.

CdM’s only loss came in their third game against Upland, 2-1.

Upland scored first but Elizabeth Almaraz tied the game with a

goal toward the end of the first half on an assist from Natalie Sims.

The defense took over, lead by Kelly Percival and Jessie Rhoads,

but Upland shot into the upper corner of the net for the win, giving

CdM their only tournament loss. Upland made it to the semifinals,

losing to Honolulu.

In preparation for the National Games, the girls won the Irvine

Invitational, not allowing a goal in their four tournament wins.

CdM needed to raise $21,000 to pay for the trip to the National

Games. Corporate sponsorships paid $14,000 but players raised the

rest, going door-to-door, washing cars and some went on

letter-writing campaigns to friends and neighbors.