The U9 boys of Ajax United are on a roll right now, following an undefeated campaign in the Central Valley — Region 7 Fall League with three straight tournament championship wins and a record of 27-1-2 at the midway point of Spring League.

Starting with the Ajax Spring Invitational and the Manteca Spring Invitational, Ajax United’s most recent tournament championship was won at the Creek Cup Invitational where they shutout all three of their opponents en route to a 5-3 finals win against FC Sporting.

“The most important thing is that the boys are just getting better, that they’re developing,” Head Coach Ted Paleolla said. “The results are just the product of their hard work.”

With players from Turlock, Modesto, Ripon, Waterford and Denair, Ajax United battled back from a 0-3 deficit in the final of the Creek Cup Invitational with four second-half goals to keep their tournament win streak alive.

“I guess you can say sometimes we’re a second-half team,” Paleolla said. “I just said to them at halftime, ’25 more minutes.’ I know they were all tired, and it was a hot weekend, so ’25 minutes and you can all relax after that. Give it your all and see where it takes you.’”

The team is now readying for their toughest task to date: The San Juan Soccer Club Cal Cup. The two-day tournament began today at the Cherry Island Soccer Complex in Sacramento.

“It’ll be a pretty good test. It’s a solid tournament,” Paleolla said. “I would say it’s going to be our most difficult, similar to our last one. The Creek Cup was pretty difficult.”

“I’m just really proud of their development,” he added. “Results aren’t the most important thing. It’s about how they progress and get better.”