Led by several local players, Santa Monica United’s U15 girls team won the Gothia Cup international soccer tournament in Sweden, under the direction of coach Fabian Amezaga.
SMU played nine games in seven days, including five games in a 33-hour span to reach the final against defending champion KFV Segeberg of Germany, which had outscored its previous eight opponents 34-4.
Skye Davis broke a scoreless draw midway through the second half against KFV Segeberg of Germany and Palisades High sophomore Jordan Darrow had two late goals to clinch the title in Group B.
SMU scored 33 goals in the tournament and allowed only five, all in pool play. The event featured almost 1,600 teams representing 80 countries.
Darrow finished the tournament with eight goals, fellow Pali High sophomore Colette Nassirzadeh had two, Kiara Bremner had one and Sadie Holt had six goals. Caroline Bremner also contributed to the winning effort. Fellow incoming freshman Dakota Margolis is also a member of the SMU squad but didn’t travel with the team to Gothia Cup.
Last year, the same group of girls won the U13 Presidents Cup championship in Kansas City.
— Steve Galluzzo
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
