Green Gators in championship game

The Corona del Mar Green Gators edged CdM United, 5-4, Saturday, Nov.

15, to advance to the championship game in the boys under-14 division

of AYSO Region 57.

The Gators opened up a 3-0 lead in the first half with goals by

Camden Nicholson, Dillon Norton and David Grant.

The United, led by Parker Reed, came back to tie the game and

eventually took a 4-3 lead.

But Nicholson weaved his way through the United defense to score

the tying goal and James Petrilli kicked the deciding goal on an

assist by Max Newfield a few minutes later.

Tommy Bangert had a clear shot on goal for the United, but Russell

Goldberg came up with the block.

Michael McHugh, Danny Baker and Paul Bioche helped maintain a

strong midfield while the defense of Eric Wright, Jon Kiani, Scotty

Berkhausen, Kenny Cooper and Sam Nadlman helped preserve the win.

In girls under-12 action:

* Sophie Solow passed to Bryn Hastings for the winning goal with

10 seconds remaining in the Mint Chips’ 2-1 victory over the Sponge

Bobs.

Hastings added an assist to Carlie Rinehart for another goal.

Sarah Folks, Kelly O’Connor and Jordan Team keyed the defense,

which held the Sponge Bobs scoreless in the first half.

Megan Richter and Ashley Svendsen controlled the midfield for the

Mint Chips, who improved to 1-0-1 in the playoffs.

* Pink Lightning 2, Tidal Waves 1:

The Pink Lightning advanced to the semifinals with the win.

Alison Deverian scored the first goal in the second period on

assists from Erin Almaraz and Tiffany Paladin.

Midfielders Reede Dahlfors, Dana Lowery, Lauren Pederson and

Hannah Kubat kept the pressure on the Tidal Waves.

Marissa Cummings tied the game with a breakaway goal in the second

half before Paladin found the back of the net for the Lightning.

Jacqueline Urbanus, Jaden Heinecke, Annie Rafferty, Shelby Bracho

and goalkeeper Marie Rudolpho played staunch defense for the

Lightning.

In boys under-11 play:

* CdM Team Gorab 2, Team Garrett 0:

Hector Marino opened the scoring when he put a shot just past the

outstretched arm of goalkeeper Emery Molnar, who had just blocked an

attempt by Brennan Anderson.

Kjell Wolker capped the scoring when he executed a header off a

Mason Case pass in the fourth period.

Nick Curci, Garrett Larson, Jensen Rhinehart, Brent Gray and

goalkeeper Clark Cashion helped Team Gorab record its 10th shutout in

11 games.

In girls under-10 action:

* Queen Bees 3, Red Hot Chili Peppers 2:

The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ playoff run ended in a close contest.

Rachel Cashion scored first on an assist from Jenna Johnson

followed by two goals from the Queen Bees’ Sarah Machowski.

Paulina Leach tied the score at 2. Jenna Funsten cleared a pass to

Leach for the breakaway goal after a stop by goalkeeper Caroline

Grant.

Taylor Elmajian, Skylar Dapp, Lexie Shaw, Chloe Dapp and Jaquelie

Adams led the Chili Pepper defense.

In boys under-10 action:

* Blue Galaxy 7, Tidal Wave 0:

The Blue Galaxy advanced to the semifinals of the English Division

with a balanced effort at both ends of the field.

The trio of Ryan Pierce, Matthew Kernan and sweeper Tanner

Grandstaff turned back the Tidal Wave surge with aggressive play.

Casey Worden, Jonathan Harzon and Jake Jones scored single goals

to highlight the offense while Jono Keedy and Zach Davis each added a

pair of goals to round out the scoring.

* Purple Panthers 5, Green Gang 4:

Kristofer Picarelli’s hat trick propelled the Panthers to victory

after trailing, 4-2. The Panthers scored two goals in the final five

minutes.

Green Gang’s Matthew Francini scored the game’s first goal and

Cort Hastings took the ensuing kickoff and maneuvered around four

defenders to tie the score.

Minutes later, Hastings centered the ball to Picarelli to give the

Panthers a 2-1 halftime lead.

Green Gang scored three consecutive goals in the third period by

Matt Sherburne, Tommy Bubonic and Francini.

With five minutes left, Taylor Epp tied the game at 4 and then

centered to Picarelli for the game-winning goal with a minute

remaining.

Elliott Steele, Alex Murray and Roberto Weismann keyed the defense

for the Panthers, who advance to the semifinals.