GU16 HEAT WIN JUVENTUS TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS

The Walnut Creek U16 Division 1 Girls took 1^st place on Monday, August 2 in the Juventus Tournament in Redwood City. Their journey began on Saturday with an early injury in their first game, the team continued with no substitutions in a great defensive game against DFC Arsenal. Unfortunately DFC scored in the second half to win 1-0. In the evening, the Heat, with one sub on the bench, had great defense from Abby Freemire, Bitta Kahangi, Lindsay Hedgecock, Taylor Ryan, and goalie Brooke Balfrey. Taylor Ryan scored the team’s first goal against Livermore Fusion. Sara Settle added the second goal in the second half to cement the win. The path to victory continued on Sunday, with only two subs, the team went up against Newark Mayhem. Great passing from Alia Shafi and Elyse Whitmarsh as well as great control in the middle from Sara Settle, Marie Paladino and Elisa Aliano, allowed Sara Settle to score her second goal of the tournament and the only score in the game to get the win. With two wins and one loss, the Heat advanced to the semifinals against Placer Alliance. Due to injuries the team was down to only one sub. After a scoreless first half and great playing from Brianna Adams and Kylie Llucana, Abby Freemire was able to score a great goal from just over the mid line. The Heat advanced to the championship to play against DFC Arsenal again. The defense was outstanding and the team saw great outside runs from Ashley Kawaguchi and Alia Shafi. The first half ended scoreless. Midway into the second half, Cari Alsterlind had a great breakaway run to score the one and only goal of the game. The Heat did a fantastic job winning the championship with no more than two subs for any game while facing opponents with no fewer than five subs on the bench!