LAKE OSWEGO , OR -- In their first tournament of the year, the Boca Jrs 93 girls traveled to Oregon to play in the Lake Oswego Nike Cup.  The first year team showed progress throughout the weekend, with their only loss coming in the opening game against the eventual champion, FWU Reign, by a score of 1-0.  This was a hard fought match throughout that left Boca without the equalizing goal despite a 12 minute flurry at the end where they earned four corner kicks and four free kicks inside the Reign’s half of the field. 

Boca responded in a strong way in game two where they had several near misses on the offensive end, but were able to keep the host club Lake Oswego Hurricanes off the board as well for a 0 – 0 tie. 

In game three, Boca continued the weekend’s progress by taking it to FC Portland with a final score of 3 -1.  The first goal of the game came on beautiful combination with left forward Corinne Friend drawing two defenders inside while Sarah Avery overlapped from midfield to run onto the pass and hit a perfect left foot chip inside the far post.  Later in the first half,Leah Parrish took a nice penetrating pass from right forward April Nelson and beat the Portland sweeper with some creative dribbling then found the back of the net on a well placed shot.  The third goal came as forward Kate Costa received a ball from midfield, held off Portland ’s defender as she carried the ball to the box, and tucked it in the right side of the net.   Portland broke the shutout on a free kick early in the second half.

Boca was solid on defense throughout the weekend, highlighted by several dramatic saves from goalkeepers Chelsea Lewandowski and Sarah Avery.  “The weekend was very productive for us.  We played well from the start and improved from game to game. It was a good start to our season” said Coach Vince Friend .   Playing for Boca were Sarah Avery, Spenser Bradley, Kate Costa, Jordyn Delaney , Madeline Easterbrook, Corinne Friend , Lauryl Glass, Moran Lefebvre, Chelsea Lewandowski , Jennifer Lum, Jasmine Mercado, April Nelson , Leah Parrish and Lindsey Sramek.