Men in Black wins area tourney, moves on

Men in Black has punched its ticket to the Section 11 tournament next February.

The Laguna Beach AYSO Region 86 boys’ Under-12 regional championship team competed at the AYSO Area 11L playoffs last weekend at the San Juan Park Complex against other south county regional champions and emerged with the division championship.

Men in Black went 5-0 and outscored the opposition, 23-4, to capture the Area 11 title Dec. 11 to earn a spot at the Section 11 tournament to be held President’s Day weekend in February. The locals will go up against other Area championship teams from Orange County, San Diego and Los Angeles in San Marcos in the section tournament.

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Opening domination

Men in Black breezed in its first two games, beating Laguna Niguel (9-0) and Lake Forest (7-3). They then posted their second shutout of the tournament by blanking Rancho Santa Margarita, 2-0.

In the semifinals, the locals defeated San Juan, 3-1. The win moved Men in Black into the division title match against San Clemente at Gilleran Sports Park in Mission Viejo on Dec. 11.

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Title quest, title won

In the final against a San Clemente team that had reached the title game by defeating Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, Ladera Ranch and Rancho Santa Margarita, the lights at the complex went out at the 24th minute of the first half. After a 20-minute delay, power was restored and the match resumed. The first half ended without either team scoring.

Men in Black scored twice in the second half to come away with a title-clinching, 2-0 victory. Isaak Shields and Trenton Caserio scored the goals for Men in Black.

“Today and in this tournament, the boys have shown us what they can do,” Men in Black Coach Sam Hooper said. “They battled for every ball. They have come together as a team to show to all and to themselves that they are champions. There isn’t a single player that hasn’t significantly contributed to this win and I’m proud of their accomplishment.

“San Clemente had a strong defense and a dangerous offense. However the key to our success was our halfbacks, Miles Hooper, Sam Kahidi, Alex DiGenova, Noah Olsen and John Valdez, who never let up and continually put the ball back into San Clemente’s side and in front of their goal.”

In addition to Sam Hooper, Men in Black is coached by Alan Caserio.