Local teams capture titles at AYSO Western States Championships
Celebrating its AYSO Western States Championship is the Girls Under-14 all-star team from Manhattan Beach/Hermosa Beach. Team members include (front row, left to right) Kali Mashayekhi, Bianca LeBosnoyani, Grace Castner, Claire Beimel, Morgan Alonso, Ashley Stepczyk, Ashley Brownsberger (back row) Coach Huntley Castner, Jamie Stickelmaier, Jessie Duckworth, Juliana Chen, Samantha Cook, Nicole Raventos, Alanna Grogan, Mary Taylor and Coach Albert Chen. Photo courtesy of Lindy Brownsberger
Five South Bay all-star soccer teams emerged champions after winning their respective divisions at the AYSO Western States Championships held Saturday and Sunday in Lake Forest.
South Redondo Beach excelled during the competition with three teams reaching championship games.
Its Boys Under-14 Extra team relied on a stingy defense to claim its title with a 1-0 victory over Downey and a 2-1 win against Agoura in the final.
The South Redondo Girls Under-14 Extra team claimed its crown after a 7-1 win against South Irvine and a 3-1 victory against Pico Rivera.
The league’s Boys Under-10 Extra team placed second defeating Lake Forest 3-2 before falling to Valencia 5-0 in the championship game.
The Girls Under-14 all-star team from Manhattan Beach/Hermosa Beach claimed a championship after shutting out North Valley 3-0 and edging Lompoc 2-2 (6-5 in penalty kicks).
“The girls showed so much heart today”, said Albert Chen, head coach of the Manhattan/Hermosa GU14 All Star team. “This was one of those games where it could have gone either way, and the team dug deep and tied Lompoc at the end of regulation to get us into overtime and ultimately the win on kicks from the mark. Huntley (Huntley Castner, assistant coach) and I are very proud of what they accomplished as a team and applaud their well-deserved achievement!”
“Congratulations to the girls and Albert and Huntley”, said Andrew Lelchuk, Regional Commissioner for Region 18. “This is what AYSO is all about – creating great experiences and long lasting memories. We are focused on that here in our region and will continue to put more resources toward instruction and mentoring for our volunteer coaches – so that all of our 3500 players can have great experiences like this team.”
El Segundo won a championship when its Girls Under-12 squad routed Davis 9-0 and defeated Five Cities 7-2.
West Torrance claimed the Girls Under-11 Extra title by defeating North Huntington Beach 2-1 and Ventura 5-3.
Hawthorne was runner-up in the Boys Under-12 competition losing to Laguna Hills 4-1 in the championship game.
Results available at www.wsc.aysosection11.com.