07B Boca Jr's Blue Sporting Invitational Champions
/07B Boca Jr’s Blue Sporting Invitational Champions
[15 August, 2017 by Team Manager Ann-Christel Graham] The MVLA 07B Boca Jr’s Blue team were crowned champions at the Santa Clara Sporting Invitational on August 13. The tournament kicked off with a 4-1 win over Milan FC Turlock where Landon Aikin scored in the 1st half on a breakaway followed by Berto Palfreyman’s clever finish on a rebound off the keeper. MVLA increased its lead to 3-0 when Luke Kurisu crossed to Landon who was well positioned for the goal. Coach moved Idan Garten from Center Back to Midfield, where Idan quickly secured a 4th goal. In the last 30 seconds of the game, Turlock scored to end the game at 4-1.
Early the next morning, MVLA beat Northbay Timbers 07 Red Fierce 2-1 in a game that got kicked into high gear after Goalkeeper Parker Lunn took a free kick just past the halfway line for a goal. Northbay Timbers tied it up, but Idan Garten brought MVLA to the lead with a perfectly placed ball in the top right corner securing their spot in the Semi-Finals. Boca Jr’s continued with aggressive play in the Semi-Finals against Futbol Legacy Compton Elite, creating the winning rally shortly after halftime when Luke Kurisu broke the tie in a breakaway up the field for a goal. Shortly after, Idan scored on a bending free kick. The strong defense of Wesley Liu, Brayden Graham, Idan Garten and Jonah Altschuler held Compton and secured the 2-0 win.
Sunday morning, MVLA headed into Finals against Tahuichi F.C. 2007 Red, feeling confident yet focused. Luke Kurisu started MVLA off with a goal off a corner rebound about 10 minutes into the game. Tahuichi responded with 15 seconds to go in the first half, tying 1-1. Ten minutes into the 2nd half, Berto Palfreyman crossed the ball perfectly to Landon Aikin who used a chest pass to Luke for goal. Tahuichi fought hard and tied it up with 8 min to go, and we headed into two 5-minute overtime periods. Three minutes into the first period, Goalkeeper Parker Lunn took a free kick which deflected off the top post and Luke Kurisu finished. With just a minute left in the 2nd overtime period, Luke secured the 4-2 win over Tahuichi with a skillful breakaway past the Tahuichi defense.
Congratulations to the U11 MVLA Boca Jr’s Blue and Coach Carlos Menjivar, Jr. on the Championship.