Issue date: August 19, 1998
The Portola Valley Flash under-17 CYSA (California Youth Soccer Association) Class 1 soccer team is off to a strong start for the 1998-99 season.
The team won the Santa Barbara Cup, and scored a victory over the JUSA select gold team from Yorba Linda in Southern California on August 1-2. It won the Livermore Soccer Festival the following week with a decisive 6-0 victory in the finals over the Livermore Extremes on August 8-9.
In the two tournaments, they won eight consecutive games, including seven shutouts. The team scored 40 goals while only conceding two.
Leading scorers on the forward line include Ali Kopfmann, Jenna Shuer, Jessica Koppel, Alex Gaudiani and Ana Nino-Maurcia. The dominant midfield is controlled by Katie Carson, Steffi Biedermann, Allison Wagner, Leah Bressack and Mandy Frank.
The defense is anchored by goalie Sara Stern, sweeper Liane Merchant and defenders Erin Ruck, Katie Morgan, Linda Crites and Hanna Wachtel.
The team is coached by Gary Ireland of World Soccer.
Report submitted by John Wachtel
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