2 Diablo FC girls teams make Association Cup Sweet 16
Fury, Crossfire advance in CYSA competition

Posted: 1/18/2010 
Updated: 1/18/2010

Jan 13, 2010

A pair of Diablo FC girls teams advanced out of the opening round with impressive showings at the annual CYSA Association Cup, which is the culmination of the competitive season for Division 3 teams. Both Diablo FC 96 Fury in the Under 13 division and Diablo FC 95 Crossfire in U14 moved ahead in the Cup.

Hugo La Torre, Diablo FC Division 3 director, lauded both teams. “It was a great job by the coaches and trainers of the teams. Everyone’s hard work is paying off for the teams. These girls are willing to give 100% effort every time and playing in the very competitive Al Caffodio Fall League has made it possible for them to achieve this success.”

The Crossfire faced a trio of strong opponents at the Morgan Hill Soccer Complex in their opening round bracket and, despite outstanding play, needed a last-second goal to earn their advancement. They had a rematch from a summer tournament game when they met Petaluma United Freeze in the first Cup game. The Crossfire scored a pair of goals in each half to secure a 4-1 victory. The local team handed Petaluma its first defeat of the 2009 season last August. Sydney Mendez, Marina Arcaya, Jillian Sherlock and Jacquelyn Scharff scored the Crossfire goals. Coach Nelson Arcaya Jr. credited strong defensive play of Shelby Smith, Sydney Carroll, Kate Fellner, Kasey Fitzsimmons, Bridgette Park and goalkeeper Julianna Cardinale to keep the Petaluma side at bay after the pulled within 2-1 in the second half.

Arcaya added, “A majority of the girls from the Petaluma team came up to tell me the Crossfire was the best team they had ever played. The girls from Petaluma also said we had a great keeper!”

Perhaps suffering a letdown after the opening victory Crossfire next met a big Fair Oaks Falcons but Crossfire managed to hold on for a 3-2 win with goals from Arcaya, Scharff and Megan Coppa.

The first two results meant that Crossfire could advance to the Sweet 16 only if they defeated Palo Cedro Sting, which would move on simply by tying Diablo FC. “This was a very exciting, intense and beautifully played game by both teams,” Arcaya said. “Both sides had equal control of the game as they both used the flanks to spread the game and make crosses into the box. Good defensive play by both teams and saves from the keepers kept the game scoreless.”

Crossfire scored the only goal of the first half by Scharff assisted by Jordan Sanchez. The Sting tied the score putting all the pressure on Crossfire.  With less than a minute to play, Scharff received a pass from Mendez just past midfield, beat two defenders while taking the ball just outside the penalty box and shot it just over the goalkeeper’s hands into the left corner of the net. As soon as the Sting kicked off following the goal the referee blew his whistle to end the game and the Crossfire girls won 2-1.

Arcaya also pointed to the key contributions of Emma Carrico and Natalie Martinez as the team had only 13 or 14 players available for each game. Allie Phillips and Lexie Varner weren’t able to participate in the Cup for Crossfire since they are playing high school soccer now. 

The team has an overall season record of 20-6-9 entering the advanced rounds of Association Cup. “It has been a very rewarding season and I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to coach this great group of girls. I am proud of what they have accomplished this year because they have learned to trust each other, which has enabled them come together as a team. Thanks go out to our trainers Hugo La Torre and Natalie Hull for all their assistance and support,” Arcaya added.

The Diablo FC 96 Fury had a scoreless tie with Folsom Arsenal in its opening Association Cup game at Central Park in Fremont. “Defense ruled the day.  It was probably the most exciting game of the weekend,” Fury coach Randy Rowland said. He cited Allison Macaulay and Emily Gatchell on defense, Morgan Giacobazzi in goal and forward Rachel DeLong for their play.

For the third time this season the Fury edged San Ramon Rush, this time 2-1. Two first-half goals from forward Madison Nortune assisted by Megan Haley and Macaulay were the difference.  Controlling play by Emily Rowland, Cristina Lopez, Sarah Williams and Sydney Purser gave San Ramon very little possession and Fury controlled the ball three-quarters of the game. 

San Francisco SC Vikings were 2-0 victims to the Fury in the weekend’s final game as Zoe McAneney and Paige Farber scored in a game dominated by Fury.  Strong play from right fullback Nicole Haley and a huge save by Katie Garaventa were keys to the victory, according to Rowland.  Fury had only 13 players because of injuries.

The Fury is trained by Mani Salimpour and has an overall record of 24-10-7. Rowland says, “It’s been a fantastic season. The girls worked hard and deserve this. I am most proud of their willingness to commit to each other and their effort, and to improve every week with a positive attitude and love of the game.  The girls love to play and love being together.” 

Clubmates Diablo FC 95 Juventus in the U14 boys and Diablo FC 95 Dynamite in U14 girls were eliminated from Association Cup despite good performances.

 By Jay Bedecarre

Reprinted from Jan. 22, 2010 Clayton Pioneer

Diablo FC 95 Crossfire team includes, front row from left, Natalie Martinez, Julianna Cardinale, Lexie Varner, Bridgette Park, Sydney Mendez; middle row, Bianca Rubalcava (now on another Diablo  FC team), Kate Fellner, Shelby Smith, Jordan Sanchez, Kasey Fitzsimmons, Marina Arcaya, Emma Carrico; back row, Sydney Carroll, Jillian Sherlock, Coach Nelson Arcaya, Jr., Allie Phillips and Megan Coppa. Not shown is team newcomer Jacquelyn Scharff.