The Turlock FC White U12, now named the 'Turlock U12 Tornadoes' continues to prove just how committed they are to soccer and coach Rick Sotomayor.
Fresh off a league victory the prior week, the Tornadoes marched into the sand this past weekend as they competed in the Santa Cruz Beach Soccer Championship and after a second round loss to West Valley Magic in the first-day, they were on the edge of being eliminated.
Eager to bounce back, the Tornadoes won back-to-back games and set up for a rematch against WVM in the championship game.
The local team was out for redemption after losing in a 0-2 shutout. In the championship game the Tornadoes found a way to come out on top, after a 4-4 tie in regulation, thanks to the diving save from Tornadoes goalkeeper Emmaline Borrelli in penalty kicks.
“Winning in beach soccer was a great end to a new beginning since we are changing clubs,” said Sotomayor. “In that final game we faced a tough team and the girls wanted this.”
The Tornadoes started the tournament off facing the Gilroy Eagles, which they won with a 7-2 effort.
In the second contest of the tournament, the Tornadoes faced WVM for the first time and ended up getting shutout by two goals to end their first day of the two-day tournament.
“The girls wanted to win so bad that they kept asking, 'what do we need to do?' I said, 'win the next two games to make the finals.' They did just that.”
After some fun on the Boardwalk, the Tornadoes were back into action for day-two on Sunday and won an outright 8-3 victory over Los Gatos United.
The win then catapulted the Tornadoes into the semifinal game, where they were set to take on the Goal Getters.
After both teams scored in the opening minutes, the score read 1-1, then the Tornadoes notched three goals to take a 4-1 lead, but in the second, the Getters had notched three of their own to even it out at 4-4.
The tie went into extra time at 6-6, and with three additional minutes, the time expired with a draw.
The game eventually came down to penalty kicks as Sydney Cantwell and Brooke Rose each notched a goal for the Tornadoes as the Getters only scored one, giving the Tornadoes an 8-7 win.
Finally the Tornadoes would have to face undefeated West Valley Magic, once again, and with the help of their entire squad including keeper Borrelli, the Turlock squad came out on top in penalty kicks.
Borrelli would eventually top out with two critical saves as she blocked two shots on goal in penalty kicks.
“Emma really kept us in this game. She did outstanding all weekend,” said Sotomayor. “Really just determination helped in the final game.”
The Tornadoes had at least eight goals from headers with eight of the nine girl's scoring at least one goal this weekend.
“They believe in attacking as a team and defending as one,” Sotomayor added. “Now we will be getting ready for the fall league, the State cup and a couple tournaments in August.”
