H.B. Strikers edge Santa Ana

The H.B. Strikers, a boys’ Under-10 Division Gold All-Star team out

of Region 56, earned a victory and tie in a pair of challenging

matches in the Area 11-K Tournament play at Brethren Christian School

in Huntington Beach.

In their game against Santa Ana, the Strikers trailed early, 1-0,

but Dillon Brown’s breakaway goal from the left side tied up the

match.

The teams stood deadlocked until the final seconds of regulation

when Sloan Varing buried a penalty kick past a diving Santa Ana

goalie to deliver the Strikers a 2-1 victory.

The Strikers, out of South Huntington Beach, took on rival North

Huntington Beach in their second tournament weekend game.

Again, they found themselves in a 1-0 hole and again, it was a

goal by Brown which brought them into a tie.

The Strikers managed to keep up their attack throughout the

remainder of the match, with Brendon Hartjoy and Connor Johnston

controlling the ball and keeper Michael McClemmonds-Nguyen coming up

with several key saves.

The match, however, ended in a 1-1 tie.

“The ball was on our half of the field most of each game,” said

Strikers coach, Ron Varing. “The boys talked to each other and

executed our plays well.

“We will get them ready to come out even stronger for next

weekend’s matches.”

The Under-10 Gold All-Star tournament continues Saturday and

Sunday at Brethren Christian School.

The winner of the Area 11-K tournament advances to the Section 11

Tournament, to be held in February.

In other Area 11-K playoff action:

Region 56 U-12 teams win

The Under-12 boys’ and girls’ soccer teams from AYSO Region 56

each posted two victories in Area 11K Gold All-Star tournament play.

The girls’ squad bounced back from a split on the opening day to

defeat a pair of previously undefeated teams, Region 5 and Region

143, by 2-0 scores.

The boys’ team evened its tournament record at 2-2 by defeating

Region 5, 1-0, and Region 143, 3-0.