Backdraft wins Capital Classic

The Carson Valley Backdraft U16 girls' soccer team finished its season last weekend, winning the championship in the Capital Classic Tournament in Carson City.

The Backdraft won two overtime games on Sunday to secure the first-place medals.

On Saturday, the team began by defeating the Carson Fury 1-0 as C.J. Baumgartner scored the only goal. Carson Valley also peppered more than a dozen shots on net.

In the second game, the Vacaville California United Thunder prevailed with a 1-0 win on a second-half goal that sailed over the goalie's head.

On Sunday morning, the Backdraft met the top-seeded Sierra Storm of North Lake Tahoe in the semifinals. Carson Valley had a number of shots just miss the mark but the defense repeatedly stopped the Storm's attacks and regulation time ended in a scoreless tie.

Niether team was able to connect in two overtime periods so the match was decided in a shootout by penalty kicks.

The Backdraft had a 3-2 lead after three rounds as Baumgartner, Amanda Ferraro and Sarah Owens all scored.

The Storm tied it with the fifth kick, but the Backdraft put the game away in the sixth round with a goal from Ashley Hill.

The championship game was a rematch with Vacaville as the Thunder had crushed its other opponents with identical 5-1 scores.

Backdraft goalie Aleassa Anzelone had several saves to keep the game scoreless. She also had two big saves in overtime to preserve the game.

The game again went to a shootout and Baumgartner and Ferraro connected on the first two kicks, but Vacaville was able to match those.

Briana Rutherdale gave the Backdraft a 3-2 lead with its fourth kick and Anzelone secured the victory by blocking the Thunder's fifth kick.

The Backdraft also concluded its regular season with a league record of 7-1-2. The team is currently in first place in the U16 division of the Great Basin Youth Soccer League.

The defense was superb through 10 games, recording eight shutouts and the offense outscored its opponents 33-6.

Backdraft players include Anzelone, Baumgartner, Ferraro, Hill, Owens, Rutherdale, Came Arend, Kaylee Bell, Allie Bowen, Jillian Brune, Melissa Chambon, Kelsey Conklin, Nicole Duster, Shelby Eisele, Michelle Gibbons and Becca Neuffer.

Guest players Mariana Aguilar, Lisa Christen and Michelle Day assisted the team at the Capital Classic.

The team is coached by Amanda Mikulich, Michael Gibbons and Liz Baumgartner.

CV NET RIPPERS

The Carson Valley U13 Net Rippers spent Memorial Day weekend playing against some of the best teams from Oregon and Northern California and came away with a 4-1 record and a third-place medal for their efforts.

Carson Valley opened up the tournament against the Rogue Valley Hot Cleats.

Kaelin Mejia and Holly Downer each scored in the first 10 minutes and Carson Valley was able to dominate play at both ends throughout on its way to a 5-2 win. Mejia finished with three goals.

In their second match, Carson Valley faced Placer United Prestige, currently ranked NO. 7 in Northern California. The Net Rippers scored another quick goal,l but Placer United rolled to a lopsided victory, keeping the Net Rippers from advancing to the championship game.

Sunday's final two qualifying matches included a 2-1 win against Grants Pass and a 3-0 win over RSU Crush Excel.

The win against Grants Pass was highlighted by a perfectly-headed goal from Holly Downer as she jumped above the defenders and drove a crossed ball into the back of the net for the team's fifth headed goal of the year.

The shutout in the afternoon was the 11th of the year for the Net Rippers as Cora Moody, Alison Chambon, Shannon Hubbard, Rochelle Seymour, Brianna Randall and Jenna Geyer continued to play well on the defensive end.

The three qualifying wins put Carson Valley into a third-place game against the Rogue Valley Lightning.

Carson Valley started fast and never let up in a 5-1win.

The Net Rippers roster includes Seymour, Jillian Olivera, Kaitlyn Varble, Mejia, Downer, Tia Lyons, Hubbard, Katie Dry, Kelsey Walsh, Chambon, April Soreson, Moody, Geyer and Randall.

Alex Laing and Shannon Prinz were unable to participate due to injuries.

Hubbard was named the team's MVP for the tournament for her play on the defensive end of the field.

The Rogue Valley Cup was the Net Ripper's final tournament for the season. Over the past three months, the Net Rippers participated in five tournaments with two first-place finishes, a second and two thirds while also winning their local league championship.

CV ELIMINATORS

The Carson Valley Eliminators took second place in the Capital Classic Soccer Tournament last weekend.

It capped a successful spring campaign for the Eliminators, going undefeated in the AYSO spring season, winning the Comstock Tournament and taking second in the Sagebrush Tournament.

Players for the Eliminators included Katiya Resney, Kaelin Mejia, Illiana Brown, Lexie Weaver, Natalie Roberts, Bailey Lowe, Marissa Cowan, Alex Melandow, Halle Neihoff, Shannon Hubbard, Mattie Seamans, Kellie Tompkins, Kinsey Bell, Cassidy Radtke and Kassidy Freitas. The team is coached by Vince Weaver and Dave Bell.

CV FALCONS

The Carson Valley Falcons played in their third championship game in as many tournaments Sunday at the Capital Classic in Carson City.

Carson Valley started out Saturday morning, stunning the RSU Acceleration 4-1. Three goals came off the foot of Alexis Van Schottenstein and the other came from Emily Lawrence with assists coming from McKenna Kynett and Carly Talia.

The defense of Hannah Coverley, Ashley Hellwinkel, Sam Crawford and goal keeper Tiffany Roberts stopped a number of attacks as well.

The Falcons then beat the Carson City Diamonds 6-0 getting three goals each from Talia and Lindsey Adams.

Midfielders Haliegh Garside, Lyndsey Grujcic and Von Schottenstein spread the ball around well in the win.

The Falcons then dealt the Carson City Patriots a 3-0 loss to advance to the title game against the Elk Grove Thunder.

Elk Grove put together a 3-0 win as the Falcons wrapped up the weekend with each player in their roster having played every minute of every game.

The Falcons are still undefeated in league play with a mini tournament remaining in Carson City, which starts Saturday.