Boca Jrs 95 Girls Victorious in Davis

Davis, CA -- The U12 CASA Boca Jrs 95 girl won the 2007 Davis Shootout on four consecutive shut-outs last weekend.  They played three regular games in their four-team flight and a final game for the championship against a rival team from Placer United.

Game One set the tone for the beginning of the tournament for Boca as they charged very hard right from the whistle against the local team, Davis Velocity.  Number 4, Bailee playing in her favorite spot, drove the ball hard up the right hand side getting off several crosses and early on, #16, Clare, took advantage of it scoring in the first four minutes of play.  Moments later, #13, Marian, took the ball from mid field, faked several opponents, threading a nice direct shot, left footed, just over the keeper's fingertips.  In the spirit of finesse, #5, Lizzy, similarly sneaked one past the goal keeper.

Davis' goalie was very busy and #23, Bailie had the opportunity to participate as she played in a forward position, following up shots, letting the keeper know that the pressure would not subside any time soon.  Number 10, Courtney, returned after recovering from an injury in Oregon to help the passing game and kept the ball moving up field.  So with a 3-0 win over Velocity, the tournament was off to a good start.

The afternoon brought Game Two against the very physical Cal Rush team, but intimidation is not enough to stop Boca Jrs 95 girls. The shooting clinic began within the first few minutes of the game when #5, Lizzy, scored confidently and shortly thereafter, #9, Brigid, took the ball from behind the midfield line, up the right hand side to the top of the box and drilled a shot that went just over the keeper's out-stretched arms into the upper left corner of the net.  Three more goals followed with the backfield deftly passing the ball up to the speedy offense and so ended the first half.

In the beginning of the second half, it looked like Cal Rush was able to lock down the scoring machine, but Boca was able to adapt.  Number 13 was back with two more goals, the first of which was another classic dribble right down the center, passed the defense and the second was in close following-up a deflected shot by teammate #5, Lizzy.  Bad news arrived, however, in the midst of the score-fest in the way of a serious injury to #10, Courtney who had just returned to the roster after recovering from a torn quad.  While clearing a ball in the back-field, she sustained a broken radius in an attempt to break a fall.  And with the roster now down to 14 players, Boca was still able to increase their score to 8 for an 8-0 win.

Sunday morning started with Game Three against the San Juan White team who showed up ready to win with their foreboding height and speed.  Despite being dominated, they were able to hold off Boca for the first half, although the inevitable occurred when the strong center mid, #9, Brigid, powered one to the back of the net with 10 minutes remaining to play in the game.  The onslaught that Boca unleashed was finally successful and the game ended with the lone goal on the score card.  Boca was going on to the championship game.

Placer Gold won their flight, and so Boca was up against this tough team, who has a history of evading defeat, but after giving up an early goal to #19, Maddy, in the first minute of play, Boca had the momentum to keep up a wicked pace.  Placer knocked on the door too, but #15, Emily guarded too closely and #7, Julia, intercepted and shut down the competition too soon for anything but a few close calls, including a hard shot on goal knocked down by #12, Dominique which for a few tense moments rolled free, but Dom was able to react quickly and gain control of the ball.

The second half was equally exciting as these two teams battled.  Placer trying desperately to break through the Boca defense, but #15, Emily, #19, Maddy, #23, Bailie, #7, Julia and #17, Julia held off the attack as #11, Elena and the usual suspects, including #4, Bailee, number #3 Taylor and #13, Marian kept things going offensively resulting in one more goal scored by #9, Brigid.  With an insurance goal and only 5 minutes left to play, Boca held off the last attempts by the Placer Gold team, including two more shots on goal which were handily saved again by #12, Dominique.  Led by coach Melissa Cavitt, Boca Jrs 95 girls won their first tournament.  Next up for Boca is CYSA league play, the NorCal Premier State Cup, and the Placer United Foothill Cup on October 27-28.

Go Boca!