Special to the Bulletin
The Manteca United SC 2006 girls soccer team nearly pulled off a rare double at the Manteca FC Spring Invitational.
The United Red went undefeated in its division, hoisting the champion’s trophy.
Red survived a marathon final, earning the title with a 4-3 victory in a penalty kick shootout. The game was tied 1-1 after regulation and two golden goal overtime periods.
United Blue fell just short of matching that feat, losing to IR Academy Purple 1-0 in the final of its division.
It was Blue’s second loss to IR Academy in the tournament. After winning its opener 8-0, United Blue was beaten IR Academy during pool play.

Manteca United 08s:  The Manteca United 08 girls celebrated a second-place finish at the Spring Invitational.
United opened the tournament with a 2-1 victory over the Ceres Earthquakes, and then advanced to the Gold Division final with back-to-back 1-1 ties with Palo Alto SC and Cal Odyssey.
In the championship, Ceres atoned for its earlier loss, blanking United 4-0.
Forward Haley Gama and midfielder Jolie Baker shined on the field, while goalie Leslie Cruz and defender Natalie Ruvalcaba anchored the back line.
Gama, Baker, Alexis Zamora and Kailee Jackson found the back of the net during United’s first tournament.
United is led by head coach Trisha Gonzales and assistant Eric Gonzalez.

Manteca United 07s: Playing together for the first time, the Manteca United 07 girls played with a “fighting spirit”, according to one coach.
Jasmyne Poulsen and goalie Alani Mullen steered the defense, while Allana Lewis, Gabrielle McIntosh, Joanna Roa and Jasmine Zapien proved tough to stop in the offensive third of the field.

MFC 05 Rebels White: The Rebels won two of their three Spring Invitational games, but settled for a fifth-place finish in their first tournament together.
Forward James Tovar sent the Rebels out on a high note, netting the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory over the Modesto Ajax.
Tovar broke through the defense and bent a right-footed shot inside the far post to secure the victory.
The Rebels also beat the East Bay Ajax, who advanced to the medal rounds in the Silver Division on points.
Goalie Aiden Dolin-Lira played well in the three tournament games.