YOUTH SCENE

AYSO Region 97

Championship games

Games played Nov. 17-18

Girls under 10

Orange Crush 3, Thunder and Lightning 2 (final): Rylie Siegfried scored the game-winning penalty kick goal to lift the Orange Crush. Early in the first quarter, Orange Crush teammates Scout Farmer and Mackenzie Paskerian took control of the midfield and provided an outlet pass to forward Emily Fay, who found a hole in the Thunder and Lightning defense and made a break for the goal. Staying slightly in front of her pursuers, Fay sneaked a goal by the charging goal keeper.

The OC defense was pushed to the breaking point in the second quarter when Thunder and Lightning went on a blitz and scored two huge goals to take the lead. In the third quarter, Orange Crush forwards Clara Eddy, Hayden Allen and Fay went on the charge and drew a penalty kick from a hand ball. Fay drilled the kick just passed the goal keeper and tied the game. Fourth-quarter action included numerous attacks on goal from forwards Allison Hanscom, Mackenzie Mowery and Rylie Siegfried but no success in finding the back of the net. Crush defenders Hannah Alderson, Paige Alkire, and goalkeeper Skyler Gullick held strong to keep the game tied at the end of regulation. The two overtime periods were a test of endurance and spirit, but both teams couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities.

It came down to kicks from the penalty mark to determine the winner. Each team had five kicks, and all kicks either missed or were stopped by the sure hands of team’s respective goalkeeper until Orange Crush’s last kick. Siegfried lined up her kick and struck it perfectly just below the crossbar, making it impossible for the goalkeeper to stop it.

Orange Crush 2, Blue Crush 0 (semifinal): The Orange Crush defense was tested in the first quarter by the aggressive Blue Crush offense. Orange Crush came alive in the second quarter. Mackenzie Mowery led a counterattack, dribbling through defenders and across midfield delivering the ball perfectly to center forward Rylie Siegfried. Siegfried then passed it to an undefended Skyler Gullick who punched a shot passed the goalkeeper. Orange Crush executed a textbook corner kick in the third quarter. Emily Fay nailed a low kick toward the goal where Clara Eddy stood her ground and redirected it to the far goal-post to a wide open Paige Alkire, who tapped it in. Midfielders Hannah Alderson and Hayden Allen along with forwards Scout Farmer and Mackenzie Paskerian dominated the field. The Orange Crush defense held in the fourth quarter, extending the scoreless streak of goalkeepers Allison Hanscom and Gullick to six consecutive games.

AYSO Region 57

Girls under 7

Green Dragons vs. Red Fireballs: The Green Dragons took a 2-1 lead on goals from Aya Mae Prow and Nanna Gailiun before the Red Fireballs leveled the score. Prow and Gailiun then added two more goals each for the Green Dragons. Syndey Little and Chloe Tak shared time in goal for the Dragons. Haydin Pazdur and Ireland Horvat combined for a strong defense while Rita Debbaneh held the midfield.

Boys under 6

Stingers vs. Blue Wave: The Stingers closed out the season with a spectacular performance by all members of the team. Tyler Harvey scored four goals, Christian Schwarz added two and Alee Assadian and Jacob Krantz each notched goals for the Stingers. Ryan Shahrestany, Sam Hurwitz and Blake Jackson played tough defense.

Daniel Steiner completed his comeback from injury with a fine effort.