August 2006
PAGE 15
25 WSYSA Teams Compete in Far West Regional Championships
What helped our performance was that we had
at Surf Cup and have developed a nice friendship with
(continued from page 13)
one another. Crossfire ended up winning 2-0 which
two of the Piranha's players come and play for us. They
included a beautiful header goal.
really played as if they were playing for their own team
It may take days, months or even years before this
The last day of bracket play was against Sereno
and I hope every person who guest plays does as well
experience really sinks in. Congratulations ECFC '92,
from Arizona. They were a very aggressive team who
as they did. Once again thanks boys!
GU-13 Region IV Champions and good luck to Crossfire
put constant pressure on the person in possession of
From this experience we learned that this was a
Lombard (GU-15 Region IV Champions) at Nationals.
the ball. It was an exciting game with several opportu-
great opportunity. Taking into consideration that it's
nities for both teams, but Crossfire was victorious with
good to have a full team out and to have depth, we
BU-12 8v8 - NCYSA Silver Lake Atlantic
a beautiful goal in the second half. It was a hard fought
learned about the heat factor, about hydration, and eat-
1-0 win and gave the team the first place spot for their
ing properly. We will keep working hard and keep hav-
By Jordan Schweitzer, Player
bracket going into the quarterfinals.
ing the success that this team has had. We hope to see
Crossfire faced the Idaho Boise Capitals in the quar-
the teams again in Nevada next year. We'll be ready!
he eight hour car ride to Idaho was a new experi-
T
terfinals. Idaho hung tough with Crossfire, but after
ence. I watched the change between the three
numerous opportunities to score, Crossfire put in a
states we traveled through. Western Washington is
great shot before half giving them a 1-0 lead. In the sec-
green and has more mountains while Eastern
ond half Boise pressed, but Crossfire scored again on a
GU-12 - LWYSA Crossfire `93 - Schilperoort
Washington, Oregon and Idaho were more flat and
bending corner kick and won the game 2-0 to advance
brown/dry. I was already thinking, "I hope it rains here
By Gaylene Page, Parent
to the semifinals.
or is not as hot as Spokane", but it was. One day it was
In the semis, Crossfire faced the Northern
99 degrees. I thought that I was going to melt playing
California champs, Mustang Rampage. This was the
in that hot weather. Now I really thank the coaches for
toughest game yet and very well played by both teams.
the extra fitness sessions. We went from 73 degrees in
Several opportunities were gained and missed by both
Everett to the mid-90s in Boise. We made a couple of
teams to score as they battled back and forth ending
rest stops and had some food, but most of the time we
regulation time even at 00. Two 10 minute over time
were in the car which was great because I wanted to
sessions were played, with the Mustangs scoring a goal
get to Boise with time to unpack and get a good night's
in the second. Crossfire pushed hard to even it up, but
sleep. We had a great eight hours because of the awe-
time expired.
some invention of the DVD player that was built into
Crossfire has much to be proud of: Making it all the
the car. We watched some movies but my favorite was
way to the semis despite a very tough bracket and com-
the Liverpool FC DVD that showed two fantastic games
petition. Holding goals scored against to only one goal
between Liverpool and Newcastle FC that each ended
throughout the entire tournament and playing strong,
in a 3-2 win for Liverpool. I can still remember Robbie
solid soccer fairly and cleanly with no red or yellow
Fowler's goal. One other thing I noticed was that the
cards.
type of area started to change from a more populated
inishing as a state finalist to a tough Emerald City 93
F
city to a less populated rural area, until we got to Boise
White team was a little disappointing for the
which was more like Everett. The Journey was fun, it
GU-12 8v8 - ECYSA FC Vancouver Independence
Crossfire 93 Schilperoort team, partly because of losing
gave me time to think about the games ahead and of all
By David McPherson, Coach
the opportunity to participate in the Far West Regional
the rest of the stuff that runs through a 12-year old
Championships. Compounding this was the revelation
boy's mind, who is going to Regionals.
that one of the team members was moving to California
Atlantic FC has reached the semifinals in state two
and had played her last game with the team. Following
years in a row. We have done extraordinary things as a
a few weeks of rest in March and April, the team began
team and that is why we were in the Regional
to prepare for the PDL spring competition. At the first
Championships. We were chosen for our level of excel-
game coach Todd Schilperoort announced that
lence and the drive we have to win. I believe we have
Crossfire had received a wild card bid for the Far West
earned this opportunity and are glad that we have the
Regionals in Boise, Idaho.
chance to represent the state of Washington. This is a
Beginning to seriously train for the rest of May and
huge, huge honor and we thank you for selecting us to
June, and focusing on each PDL game and scrimmage,
go.
the girls began to gain their fitness back and to con-
At the tournament, the competition differed. Some
centrate on their teamwork and ball skills. Over
teams were like the teams in Washington. I know of
Memorial Day Weekend, the team played well and beat
one team that stood out in the 8v8 tournament and that
Snohomish United in the finals of the U13 Rainier
was Arizona. They were winning games by huge
Challenge.
amounts and seemed to be one of the great teams.
Crossfire arrived in Boise a couple of days early to
From seeing and playing the different teams we learned
he Independence, as a semifinalist in Washington,
T
get a practice in before the competition began. It was a
their style, which I could see was made up of short
was very excited to be invited to represent our
happy reunion for all, as the player who had moved to
passing and moves. Since we saw their style at
State in the Regional 8 v 8 Exhibition Tournament in
California was allowed by her new team, the Mustang
Regionals we can take that and learn from it or incor-
Boise this year. The journey was long and the prepara-
Rampage to play for Crossfire once again. The first day
porate that into our game so we become a diverse team
tion was a lot of fun. The competition was the best we
of the competition began early at 8 a.m. against the
with multiple ways and styles of play.
have ever seen. The class of coaches and fans were sec-
Colorado Real. The early start was beneficial because
In Idaho we played in weather we were not used
ond to none. We had a great time watching some top
the girls were fresh and it was a cool, beautiful morn-
to. I am not saying we lost because of the heat; it was
teams compete, like the Crossfire U15 Girls State
ing. It was a great match up of teams and a well played
just a variable that we should have overcome. Also we
Champions, who eventually won it all.
game, but two great shots by Crossfire gave them a 2-0
were playing at a higher elevation, because we play at
Our girls used this Far West Regional Champion-
victory.
sea level. As well, we had the challenge of not having
ship as a learning experience for both "on" and "off"
The second day of competition was against the
many subs/players. We had one player out with a bro-
the field activities. The FC Vancouver Independence
KA'OI Express from Hawaii. The Hawaiian team was
ken Tibia and Fibula, and another with an ankle injury.
came away with more confidence and less stage fright
very skilled and quick to the ball. It was a fun game to
Three could not make it because of summer vacation,
for the big time games to come. s
play because the girls got to know each other last year
and another because of personal reasons.
WSYSA is very proud of all of the teams that represented us at
this year's Regional Championships.
For more on our teams and additional pictures, visit www.wsysa.com