UNION CITY – The Manteca Futbol Club’s Flames 10-under squad added another title to an impressive season, taking home the Nor Cal Cross Regional Championship with a 4-1 win over North Bay Elite Barcelona.
The Flames pushed into the championship after opening round wins over DeAnza Force 6-2 and then handling the Mustang Pride 2-0. The Flames receieved outstanding play in the net from keeper Andrea Eusebio, who held opponents to just three goals in three games.
Maddie Cuclich put together strong defensive play throughout the tournament and Alexis Vilarino applied consistent pressure on the defenses, opening up several Flames scoring opportunities.
The Flames will try and improve on a strong tournament showing when they compete in the No. 2 ranked tournament in the country hosted by top-shelf program San Diego Surf. The Flames will compete against several of the elite teams in the nation, including the Hawaii Rush Zoom, Las Vegas Premier and the southern California state champion, and tournament host, San Diego Surf.
The Extreme, made up of 10 members of the team combined with assorted players from seasons past, opened tournament play with a 6-4 win over U-19 Valley Swank, followed by a 9-8 win over U-18 EC United Black .
The squad continued into Sunday’s action with a 7-2 win over Bay United before closing tournament play in a 4-4 tie against EC United Red.
The tournament was played under a “sand soccer” format, putting the team into a very fast-paced, high-scoring game played bare-foot in the sand. Teams play with a special beach soccer ball, more similar to a volleyball and play in 5-on-5 team breakdowns.
The team’s record through three games pushed them into the title game where the fell to the EC United Red squad 8-4.
“Our winning record put us into the championship bracket,” head coach Kathy Ziakas said. “We had just tied them, but we lost to them 8-4.
“I think the final game, my girls were just exhausted.”
The Extreme got impressive play from goalie Lizzy Lee, keeping in all five games without a break.
The first place finish in league, which features teams from Fresno, Elk Grove and Modesto, will usher the squad into contention for the U.S. Club National Cup in Modesto this month.
The Flames pushed into the championship after opening round wins over DeAnza Force 6-2 and then handling the Mustang Pride 2-0. The Flames receieved outstanding play in the net from keeper Andrea Eusebio, who held opponents to just three goals in three games.
Maddie Cuclich put together strong defensive play throughout the tournament and Alexis Vilarino applied consistent pressure on the defenses, opening up several Flames scoring opportunities.
The Flames will try and improve on a strong tournament showing when they compete in the No. 2 ranked tournament in the country hosted by top-shelf program San Diego Surf. The Flames will compete against several of the elite teams in the nation, including the Hawaii Rush Zoom, Las Vegas Premier and the southern California state champion, and tournament host, San Diego Surf.
Manteca Extreme
SANTA CRUZ – The Manteca Extreme made the trip to beautiful Santa Cruz and closed out the Pro Am Beach Soccer Tournament with a 3-1-1 record.The Extreme, made up of 10 members of the team combined with assorted players from seasons past, opened tournament play with a 6-4 win over U-19 Valley Swank, followed by a 9-8 win over U-18 EC United Black .
The squad continued into Sunday’s action with a 7-2 win over Bay United before closing tournament play in a 4-4 tie against EC United Red.
The tournament was played under a “sand soccer” format, putting the team into a very fast-paced, high-scoring game played bare-foot in the sand. Teams play with a special beach soccer ball, more similar to a volleyball and play in 5-on-5 team breakdowns.
The team’s record through three games pushed them into the title game where the fell to the EC United Red squad 8-4.
“Our winning record put us into the championship bracket,” head coach Kathy Ziakas said. “We had just tied them, but we lost to them 8-4.
“I think the final game, my girls were just exhausted.”
The Extreme got impressive play from goalie Lizzy Lee, keeping in all five games without a break.
Pumas Gold 3, Cal Rush 2
The Manteca Futbol Club’s U-12 girls Manteca Pumas Gold closed out their regular season with a 3-2 win over the Sacramento Cal Rush, placing the Pumas Gold squad in 1st place for the NorCal Premier Spring League.The first place finish in league, which features teams from Fresno, Elk Grove and Modesto, will usher the squad into contention for the U.S. Club National Cup in Modesto this month.
— Jagada Chambers
