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Manteca FC well represented in Tracy
Three teams qualify for tourneys title matches
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The Manteca FC Extreme took second in the under-17 girls division this past weekend. The Extreme consists of (back row from left): Bianca Wesley, Lexi Ziakas, Lizzy Lee, Brittany Costa and Donna Ochoa; (middle) Selana DaSilva, Jimi Guibor, Eliana DaSilva, Yesenia Rodriguez, ReAnna Schmitt, Niki Walden and Madison Zanotto; (front row) Abigail Rosas, Kenisha Gathron, Briana Paule, Malia Almeida, Mariela Pimentel and Cynthia Romao. - photo by Photo Contributed
The Manteca Futbol Club was well represented in the Tracy Orange Bowl Tournament this past weekend, as three of its teams played their way to runner-up finishes while another took fourth.

The eldest group of players, the under-17 Extreme, bounced back well from a crippling 6-1 loss to the under-18 Central Valley Avalanche and improved as the tournament wore on.

The Extreme got its rematch against Central Valley in the championship round Monday, taking an early two-goal lead with goals coming from Niki Walden and Mariela Pimentel (assisted by Kenisha Gathron and Briana Paule, respectively). But the Avalanche battled back to slice the lead in have and, with just minutes remaining, booted in a penalty kick off a handball in the box to force a deciding shootout.

Central Valley claimed the title in penalty kicks, 4-3.

Manteca FC went 1-1-1 in pool play Saturday and Sunday. Malia Almeida recorded her only goal of the tournament in the first loss to Central Valley, and the Jimi Guibor notched a shutout in the Extreme’s scoreless draw against Can Cal.

The Extreme clinched a finals berth with a 3-2 win over Tracy Tempest, an under-19 team. Lizzy Lee, Yesenia Rodriguez and Gathron each knocked in a goal, while Walden added an assist. With Guibor nursing a foot injury, Brittany Costa and Lee shared time in the goal box.

Under-13 Arsenal
The Arsenal, led by Gina Dias and Elizabeth Martinez, started off hot.

Dias scored twice in each of its first two games while Martinez chipped in a goal and an assist in each of Manteca FC’s first two contests, leading the Arsenal to 3-0 and 4-0 victories over the Tracy Travelers and San Mateo Mania, respectively. Goalkeeper Ashley Almeida and her stingy defensive back line anchored the shutouts.

Also contributing on the offensive end in the opening victories was Sydney Canales, who dropped in a goal against Tracy and assisted another against San Mateo.

Needing just a tie to advance to the championship round, the Arsenal twice battled back from deficits to force a 3-3 draw with powerhouse Santa Clara Sporting.

Dias struck twice more and added an assist. Ebony Ezeji (goal), Mollie Brady (assist) and Martinez (assist) also contributed to the attack.

The Arsenal, however, had little gas left in the tank with the injury bug rearing its ugly head. Livermore Elite Crew cruised to a 3-0 win and the title, but it marked the third second-place finish for Arsenal in its last four tournaments.

Under-11 Flames
Manteca FC got another 3-0 start with the under-11 boys Flames team.

The Flames heated up after dispatching Modesto Ajax in a hard-heard 3-2 win. They later crushed Boca 97 5-1 on Saturday and shut down Orchard Valley Express 4-0 on Sunday.

But in the end it was Atletico Santa Rosa that was crowned champions after coasting to a 6-2 win.

Also competing in the Tracy Orange Bowl Tournament for Manteca FC were the under-11 girls Heartbreakers (fourth place), under-12 girls Thunder (0-3) and under-14 girls United (1-2).
— Jonamar Jacinto