Youth Soccer News: Murrieta Surf SC Girls Are Finalists in Cal South U13 State Cup
The Murrieta Surf SC Girls 2000 team closed out their U13 year with a strong run in the Cal South State Cup Presidents Division. After battling their way out of a strong bracket and through the knock-out rounds, the girls, coached by Frank Green, reached the finals where they came up just short against a tough Eagles Soccer Club from Camarillo. Along the way Surf played dominating defense and posted five clean sheets.
The run began in Palm Desert on Saturday, February 15, as Surf defeated Rebels Soccer Club G13 1-0 and then played Legends FC Corona to a 0-0 draw. A 1-1 draw on Sunday with FC Man United G00 gave Surf five points and allowed them to advance to the knockout rounds the following weekend.
Surf’s defense was again on display in the team’s Round of 64 match against Strikers FC-SC Black on February 22. After the two sides battled through a scoreless match, including overtime, it all came down to the penalty kick phase, with Green’s girls netting two and keeping Strikers scoreless. On Sunday Surf started off the day with a 3-2 victory over Sherman Oaks Extreme SC in the Round of 32 before going up against West Coast FC United in an early afternoon Round of 16 match. For the third time, Surf battled to a scoreless draw before moving ahead, this time on a 4-2 PK advantage. The next stop would be the IE Surf Soccer Complex for the Quarter-Final round.
Stormy weather postponed the next round until the weekend of March 8-9, but did not dim Surf’s desire. In a hard-fought Quarter-Final match on Saturday, the girls took a 2-1 overtime victory against Strikers FC-SC. Sunday brought the final two games of the tournament. Surf again blanked their opponent, beating Simi Valley S.C. Eclipse 1-0 in overtime in an exciting Semi-Final match. In the championship game Surf finally met their match, falling to an athletic and previously high-scoring Eagles Soccer Club team by a final 2-1 match.
While they did not take home the hardware, the girls played strong and showed that their brand of soccer – technically solid and strong on defense and control – is just as exciting and successful as any out there. Congratulations to Murrieta Surf SC Girls 2000 on a great Cal South State Cup.
