Team is headed to US Club Soccer National Cup VIII in Virginia

June 23, 2009

MODESTO, CA--- Coach Richard Weiszmann's Diablo FC 92 girls punched their ticket to the US Club Soccer National Cup VIII in Virginia Beach, VA by coming from behind and winning the Region H U16 championship 2-1 in overtime Tuesday over Alpine FC.

Diablo FC 92 won games on four consecutive hot days in Modesto to claim Regionals. The only goal allowed by keeper Katie Barsanti and her defense in those four matches was in the finals. After Alpine broke a scoreless tie with a goal 20 minutes into the championship game second half, Weiszmann went to a more attacking formation and the 92 girls tied the score in the final 10 minutes when Michelle Yasutake's cross was put into the net by Jackie Ernest. The Diablo FC defense held through the first overtime period as they defended the downhill direction of the field. Midway through the second OT Kate Lenci put a pass from Ashlee Peterson into the net for the championship goal.

The team was playing shorthanded with only 13 healthy players in the finale due to injuries, work and family commitments that reduced Diablo FC 92`s 17-player roster on Tuesday. Alpine had 18 players suited up and five more on the sidelines watching the finals. Diablo FC shutout Boca 92 1-0, Xtreme 4-0 and Flame 1-0 to secure its place in the finals.

The Diablo FC 92 roster includes Barsanti, Dani Bernat, Rachel and Serena DeChristofaro, Rogan Dolan, Natalie Dib, Ernest, Mikaela Griggs, Kate Hultin, Emily Irion, Lenci, Wendy Magarin, Taylor Matson, Emily Smith, Peterson, Yasutake and newcomer Violetta Alaiyan.

The team is no stranger to national level competition, overtime or tightly-contested low-scoring games. In March they won the Nomads College Coaches Showcase tournament in San Diego with a 1-0 overtime victory in the finals. Last November they went to the championship game of the 10th annual Super Y-League North American Championships in Tampa, FL before losing 2-1 in double overtime.

The US Club Soccer National Cup VIII girls finals are July 31-Aug. 3 in Virginia Beach.

Last year, Diablo FC 94 and 95 boys teams won US Club Soccer Regionals.

Weiszmann has taken several teams from the club to Regional and National competition in US Club Soccer, Super Y-League and USYSA. He was voted 2008 Diablo FC Coach of the Year along with Sissi.