Pilgrims win Turkey tourney title, 2-1

Aaron Rakhshani netted a sudden-death overtime goal to break a 1-1

tie and lift the Huntington Beach Pilgrims of AYSO Region 56 to the

title of the 16th annual Surf City Turkey Tournament with a 2-1 win

over North Huntington Beach.

“That was one of the best games I have been a part of,” Pilgrims

coach Ron Varing said of the match played at Peterson Elementary

School. “Our boys kept battling and kept believing in themselves.

“The medal is nice, but more importantly, our boys learned a lot

about teamwork, sportsmanship and confidence that, hopefully, they

will carry on in their lives.”

The Pilgrims trailed, 1-0, late in the match when Joey De Marco

stole the ball from a defender, crossed it to teammate Dillon Brown,

who then scored to tie up the game.

The defense of Matthew Mariner, Blake Mooney and Sloan Varing

helped preserve the victory.

The Pilgrims earned enough tournament points in matches against

Fountain Valley, Long Beach and Hawthrone, to reach the championship

game.

The Pilgrims’ squad also consists of Brent Bazzell, Scott

Campbell, Brendon Hartjoy, Madison Hayden and Jay Rowerdink.