Tournament Recap: The Region III Presidents Cup Finals where held in Huntsville, Alabama over the weekend of June 8th - 11th and proved to be a very challenging tournament for the Weston Team coached by Dale Renwick. This Elite competition had 10 teams invited from different States in the Southeast Region with teams from Oklahoma, North Carolina, Alabama, two from South Texas, North Texas, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina and Florida. The draw had Weston in a bracket with South Carolina and South Texas, with the cross over game against North Texas, or the Fusion. Coach Renwick was quoted as saying, “We have been placed the group of death, as only the first place team would advance and the crossover game was against the tournament favorite.”
Game #1: Weston Fury vs. South Texas, 8:00am Friday morning.
The game started at a very fast pace with Weston controlling the play. After having several shots on goal, Valerie Robles cracked a shot on goal, which Claudia Hernandez slotted the rebound to go up one goal. After half time, South Texas made some adjustments and put allot of pressure on goalie, Kelsey Gil and the Weston defense. Texas tied the game off a break away early in the second half, to make the score 1-1. Kelly McIntyre, Martina Citcioglu, Jacqui Latham, Kleo Ruddock and others took several shots on the Texas goal, with time running out Ruddock scored a courageous goal at the top of the penalty area off a cross from Alex Grant. The final score Weston 2, South Texas 1.
Game #2: Weston Fury vs. South Carolina Blue Ice at 3:00pm Friday afternoon.
Both teams won their first game which means a win would guarantee either team a trip to the semi finals. Weston started the scoring off with Ruddock breaking free on a breakaway and slicing the ball under the Ice goalkeeper, 1-0 Weston. Early in the second half South Carolina scored the equalizer on a defensive error. From there Weston dominated play Valerie Robles and Jacqui Latham hitting the cross bar, having two cleared off the goal line and not capitalizing on several great opportunities.
The game ended in a tie Weston Fury 1, SC Blue Ice 1.
Game #3: Weston Fury vs. North Texas Fusion at 11:00am Saturday. This was a crossover game where the Fusion won their division rather easily, and Weston was tied with South Carolina in their division. The Fury clearly was the more motivated team taking control of the game, missing several good scoring opportunities. The defense of Andrea Clavijo, Sara Jacques, Ariela Mabourakh, Kaylie Lawing and Kelsey Gil anchored the team, securing a shutout. The game ended in a 0-0 tie, leaving the outcome dependent on the South Carolina/South Texas outcome. With the SC loosing 2-0, Weston won the bracket with a 1-0-2 record; this set the stage for a rematch against North Texas in the semi finals.
Semi Final. Weston Fury vs. North Texas Fusion at 8:15 pm Saturday night. Fatigue affected both teams, as this was their fourth game in two days. The Fusion scored the first goal right before half time on a quick counter attack goal. Coach Renwick made his adjustments at half time which put allot of pressure on the Fusion. Erin Willenborg and Vivi Nunez gave some new life to Weston, who mounted a few attacks which led to several scoring opportunities. The Fusion goalkeeper had lady luck on her side, saving break aways from Jacqui Latham and Rochelle Sagarra, two shots off the crossbar from Valerie Robles and other numerous opportunities. In the end, Weston out shot and out played the Fusion but lost 2-0.
Summary: This tournament capped a great year for the Weston U-15 Nike team. Coach Renwick is quoted as saying “I am very proud of this team and all they have accomplished. They had to over come many obstacles and became united in order to win the State title.” Congratulations to all of the players of Weston Girls U-15 Nike team for a job well done.
