MERCED – With several players missing and temperatures reaching 111-degrees last weekend at the Merced Atlas Cup, the Manteca Futbol Club under-17 Extreme battled through the adversity to capture the championship.
Up first was a 3-1 win over Atwater in which Brittany Costa found net twice and Niki Walden added a third score.
Costa’s first goal came off a Selena DaSilva corner kick and the duo hooked up again in the same fashion on a second score.
Madison Zanotto, Lizzy Lee, Eliana DaSilva and Cynthia Romeo worked the ball around up top with precision.
“We played the tournament with only one substitute,” Extreme head coach Kathy Ziakas said. “The girls really stepped up to the plate and put in fantastic efforts.”
After battling the Stockton Jaguars to a scoreless tie in Round 2 thanks to a flawless effort from keeper Jimi Guibor and excellent defensive pressure from Yesenia Rodriguez, Donna Ochoa, Bianca Wesley and Selena DaSilva, the Extreme took down Turlock, 4-1, in the third round.
Rodriguez one-touched a beauty past the keeper on a help from Mariela Pimentel to open the scoring.
Pimentel then found net herself twice off assists from Romeo and Walden.
Walden capped the scoring with a help from Selena DaSilva.
In the championship round, the Jaguars forfeited due to team injuries and an oppressive heat, sending the Extreme home with gold.
The Extreme finished with the highest point-total of the tournament.
“Our passing was good and our determination was great,” Ziakas added. “Overall, it was a really good tournament for us.”
The Extreme will continue the tournament circuit throughout the summer.
Up first was a 3-1 win over Atwater in which Brittany Costa found net twice and Niki Walden added a third score.
Costa’s first goal came off a Selena DaSilva corner kick and the duo hooked up again in the same fashion on a second score.
Madison Zanotto, Lizzy Lee, Eliana DaSilva and Cynthia Romeo worked the ball around up top with precision.
“We played the tournament with only one substitute,” Extreme head coach Kathy Ziakas said. “The girls really stepped up to the plate and put in fantastic efforts.”
After battling the Stockton Jaguars to a scoreless tie in Round 2 thanks to a flawless effort from keeper Jimi Guibor and excellent defensive pressure from Yesenia Rodriguez, Donna Ochoa, Bianca Wesley and Selena DaSilva, the Extreme took down Turlock, 4-1, in the third round.
Rodriguez one-touched a beauty past the keeper on a help from Mariela Pimentel to open the scoring.
Pimentel then found net herself twice off assists from Romeo and Walden.
Walden capped the scoring with a help from Selena DaSilva.
In the championship round, the Jaguars forfeited due to team injuries and an oppressive heat, sending the Extreme home with gold.
The Extreme finished with the highest point-total of the tournament.
“Our passing was good and our determination was great,” Ziakas added. “Overall, it was a really good tournament for us.”
The Extreme will continue the tournament circuit throughout the summer.
— Brandon Petersen
