U11 Striker girls win title

Last weekend, the latest edition of the Strikers U11 girls overcame 90-plus degree temperatures to produce and even hotter beginning to their fall 2012 season by dominating all teams to win the Silver Division of the Northwest Cup Tournament in Spokane.

In their first game of the season, the Strikers started hesitantly, with only two goals in the first half, but overwhelmed SSC Shadow Akers by opening the floodgates and scoring seven more goals in the second half. Kaylie Higbee scored a hat trick, Zoe Potter added two goals, Keona Brown scored two and Hannah Eddy and Holly Kassa each added a goal. 

In the second game of pool play, the Strikers continued their domination with a 10-2 victory over SSC Valley. This time Zoe had the hat trick, McKenna Smith scored two goals, and Hannah, Isabel Edwards and Ginger Olson each added one goal. 

In the third and last game of pool play, the Strikers defeated ASE Shooting Stars by a margin of 5-0. Sage Saccomanno initiated the win with the first goal, Zoe added a second, Ginger a third, and Shelby Mohler took over the game with two quick goals before a bloodied nose put her out of the game.

The three victories in pool play sent the Strikers into a semi-final game against SSC Shadow United. Sandpoint refused to slow down in the playoff game by winning easily by a 5-0 margin. Again, Sage started off the scoring in the first half. Her winning goal was followed by one goal additions by Hannah, McKenna, Ginger and a final goal by Aaliyah Campbell.

In the finals, the Strikers came up against their first resilient competition in the Spokane Foxes FC Green. The Foxes were aggressive and physical, but Sage slotted the first and winning goal from the left corner. Ginger forced a second insurance goal into the right corner giving Sandpoint a first half lead. No goals were scored in the second half so the Strikers carried a heavy glass trophy back to Sandpoint.

Although the Strikers forwards Hannah, Zoe, McKenna, Isabel, Shelby, Sage and Aaliyah imposed themselves on their opponents with a barrage of goals during the tournament, they could not have done so without the superb transitional play from midfielders Ginger and new Striker Grace Lieuallen. But the lion’s share of credit should go to the defensive line, Keona, Holly and Kaylie, who were exquisite in their denial of shots on goal, and keeper Shea Kilpatrick, who was virtually flawless in goal, allowing only two goals in the five game tournament.

A Kick in the Grass is a coach-submitted column that runs every Thursday during soccer season in the Daily Bee.