It was a tough task for the Turlock Fire Elite U-15 boys soccer team — to play five games in three days.
These boys took on the challenge, and prevailed.
The Fire Elite finished last weekend’s run at the prestigious California Cup tournament in Sacramento by winning 1-0 on Sunday against the Placer United Prestige Gold. Jose Ortega had the game’s only score, knocking in a rebound off a corner kick midway through the second half. This was all the Fire Elite needed in terms of offensive output, so that meant the defensive unit had to step up. And the defenders did that.
Coach Mark Selby said his team played its best defense in the championship game, as defenders Tevin Jones, Diego Godinez, Quinn Selby, Christian Madrigal and Zach Slamon “excelled under tremendous pressure.” And when two defenders were banged up in the second half, midfielder Joel Boling dropped back on defense, and was effective.
Goalkeeper Casey Clark “played consistently well,” Selby said.
The championship game capped off a grueling run, considering the Elite Fire participated in the National Cup a week earlier — meaning they played a total of nine games in 10 days.
To contact Chhun Sun, e-mail csun@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2041.
These boys took on the challenge, and prevailed.
The Fire Elite finished last weekend’s run at the prestigious California Cup tournament in Sacramento by winning 1-0 on Sunday against the Placer United Prestige Gold. Jose Ortega had the game’s only score, knocking in a rebound off a corner kick midway through the second half. This was all the Fire Elite needed in terms of offensive output, so that meant the defensive unit had to step up. And the defenders did that.
Coach Mark Selby said his team played its best defense in the championship game, as defenders Tevin Jones, Diego Godinez, Quinn Selby, Christian Madrigal and Zach Slamon “excelled under tremendous pressure.” And when two defenders were banged up in the second half, midfielder Joel Boling dropped back on defense, and was effective.
Goalkeeper Casey Clark “played consistently well,” Selby said.
The championship game capped off a grueling run, considering the Elite Fire participated in the National Cup a week earlier — meaning they played a total of nine games in 10 days.
To contact Chhun Sun, e-mail csun@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2041.
