Sports

Culver City AYSO Girls Soccer Team Wins State Championship

The under-14 team battled wind, rain and even hail to topple Lakewood in a decisive 4-0 victory.

By Hector Flores

The AYSO GU14 California State Championship game kicked off with (Section 1 Champion), Culver City “Azul” facing the (Section 11 Champion) Lakewood on Sunday, March 18, in Cathedral City. The young ladies from Culver City battled rain and hail before finally attaining their objective when they started their all-star season in November 2011 - to become AYSO GU14 California State Champions. 

The final game wouldn’t be possible without an intense semi-final victory over South Irvine. Although Culver Azul maintained possession of the ball for 70 percent of the game, it was unable to break through the tough South Irvine defense.  With approximately 10 minutes to go, South Irvine almost stole the game when a forward broke through the Culver defense and had only the goalkeeper to beat.  But goalkeeper Jessye Alfaro, cut off the attack, and South Irvine’s best and only scoring chance went wide left by inches.  Two minutes later, the young ladies from Culver City responded and in a brilliant display of team work Jasmine Herrera, scored the go ahead goal, assisted by Alyssa Arredondo.  Culver City went on to defeat South Irvine by a score of 1-0.

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Culver City faced Lakewood in the State Championship game.   Hail, rain, and ominous storm clouds greeted the girls during their warm up.  The game was tense and hard fought.  While Culver City had the clearer and more dangerous scoring opportunities, Lakewood showed to be a tough opponent threatening the Culver goal occasionally.  The score was tied 0-0 at halftime. 

Culver City came out strong to start the second half.  Approximately 10 minutes into the 3rd quarter, Karissa Corralez broke with a pass (from Amanda Jaramillo) through the Lakewood defense and put Culver City on top 1-0.  Inspired by the goal, Culver City took control of the game at the start of the 4th quarter.  Culver City played brilliant soccer and in a span of 5 minutes, scored three goals to take a commanding 4-0 lead.   Two goals by Emma Soto and a goal by Jasmine Herrera put the game out of reach.  

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And as the sun finally broke through the clouds, the whistle blew and the young ladies from Culver City were the 2012 AYSO GU14 California State Champions.  In the two games over the weekend, Culver City’s stellar defense gave up zero goals while scoring five.

Overall, Culver City Azul has compiled a record of 29 wins, 1 loss, and 6 ties.  They have won the   North Torrance Turkey Tournament, West Torrance Christmas Classic, Area 1P Championship, Riverside Locomotion, Culver City's Sony Classic, Section 1 Playoffs and now AYSO California State Champions. 

Coaching Staff:  Head Coach-Humberto Benitez, Co-head Coach-Hector Flores
Assistant Coaches- Antonio Herrera & Junji Watanabe

Team Parent:  Belen Flores
AYSO Region 19 Commissioner: Laura Love

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