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THEPRESS.NET
JANUARY 29, 2010
SPORTS
Dynamite’s fuse lit at Nor Cal tourney Playing in its first-ever NorCal State Cup tournament, the Delta United Dynamite U11 girls soccer club from the Antioch/Brentwood area beat several formidable teams from around the state before falling to the Gryphons of San Mateo in the Gold Cup championship game. Ranked 41st out of more than 70 teams, the Dynamite girls started their journey in the late summer of 2009, facing some of the toughest elite teams in the state. Finishing fall league play in early November, the Dynamite girls advanced to the second round of the State Cup tournament, where they were pitted against teams in the Gold, Silver and Bronze flight. The team hit stride in the second round, shutting out the Manteca FC Red Devils 5-0, beating the Newark Earthquake 8-3 and earning them a berth in the Gold Cup quarterfinals in Manteca in early December. In the Gold Cup quarterfinal game, they were pitted against Boca 98 from Sacramento. Anchored by a strong defensive effort, great saves from keeper Rachael Brittner and a lethally fast offensive attack, the Dynamite girls advanced to the semifinals with a 3-0 win against Boca 98. In the semifinal, the Dynamite girls were matched up against powerhouse San Juan Spirits of Sacramento, which they beat 3-1 to earn a shot at the championship
The Delta United Dynamite U11 girls soccer club beat several formidable teams from around the state in the NorCal State Cup tournament. Photo courtesy of Tim McCarthy
in an exciting clash with the Gryphons of San Mateo. From the opening kickoff, the Dynamite girls were nearly run off the field by a skilled and athletic Gryphon team. The Dynamite fell behind 0-3 on two phenomenal crossing shots and a deflection off a Dynamite player on a corner kick. Most teams would have folded at this point, but not these girls. In what would become a testament of heart over skill, the Dynamite girls fought their way back into the match. After being hit in the mouth by a Gryphon defender, center forward Devyn Gilfoy took the ball and dribbled past
three defenders to punch one in for the Dynamite’s first goal. The Dynamite girls made it 2-3 before halftime with a onetimer from forward Emma Linney off an outstanding corner kick from midfielder Robyn McCarthy. In the second half, the Gryphons were smothered defensively by forward Lauren Sisneros, McCarthy and defenders Kara Rainsford and Mareiya Gonzales. The Gryphons’ few shots on goal were handled with precision by goalkeeper Caylyn Stanley. The Gryphon defense, however, reciprocated by holding off goal attempts from Emily Maier-Costanza, Linney and Sisneros.
In one of the most thrilling finishes in Dynamite club history, down 2-3 with about a minute remaining, Gilfoy took a laser pass from Sisneros, dribbled past two Gryphon defenders, sped past the final defender and scored the tying goal. In sudden-death overtime however, the Gryphon offense was awakened, scoring two minutes in with a beautiful give-and-go pass down the left side of the field leading to a perfect crossing shot and goal from the weak-side forward. Although the girls were disappointed to lose after coming back from such a large deficit against a top-ranked team, they left the field proud of how far they had come. “The girls had a great year and have come a long way,” said coach Tim McCarthy. “In the final game they showed something that’s hard to teach: with a winning attitude they can beat any opponent, and it didn’t matter what the score was; they could still come back and win.” This spring, the Delta United Dynamite girls will continue play in the U11 division of the NorCal spring league. In the fall, however, they will be moving up to U12, where they will be playing 11on-11. Those interested in trying out for Dynamite Girls Soccer in 2010 should email Tim McCarthy at tmsquid@yahoo. com. – Contributed by Shaun Gilfoy
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