U17 Strikers have strong showing at Performance Cup

The Sandpoint Strikers U17 team traveled to Boise recently to compete in the Performance Cup. The Strikers advanced to the championship game but lost in the final to Reno/Sparks United 3-2. Finishing second was a great result for the Strikers. Sandpoint had only practiced twice outside before heading down to Boise and they also brought a mixed team of U15, U16 and U17 players.

The Strikers started the tournament with a victory over the Boise Capitals. The Capitals are one of the best teams in the west and have three players at the national level. The Strikers won the match 1-0 on goal by Miguel Mendez. Adam Crossingham, Anders Nostdahl and Tanner French formed a solid defensive back line that kept the Capitals from getting many scoring opportunities. French was great in the air, Crossingham dominated the middle and Nostdahl controlled the outside.

In the second game the Strikers beat Missoula 2-1. Strikers had goals from Mendez and Tanner Williams. Daniel Anderson and Ben Murray put pressure on Missoula’s defense with brilliant attacking runs. Keeper Shawn Carlson had a fantastic save late the game that kept the victory intact. Robby Carne showed some nice footwork while playing outside mid.

In the last game of pool play, the Strikers beat the Ballistic 1-0. Anderson scored the lone goal for the Strikers. Jansen Rinck and Forrest Andrews both had great games on the defensive back line. Both backs switched the point of attack to keep the Ballistic off balance. Jack Miller applied constant pressure on the Ballistic and made some great attacking runs. Spencer Hanson played well as a forward with some nice layoffs to the attacking outside mids.

The Strikers lost a hard fought championship game. Zac Linscott and Spencer Swerin played well as center mids. No one was able to stop Swerin from controlling the ball and Linscott distributed the ball well with quick one and two touch passes. Mendez scored twice in the losing effort.