Local AYSO U10, U12 and U14 teams held their playoff games over the first two weekends in December, with the winners moving on to represent Brentwood-Palisades Region 69 at the Area P regional playoffs in Culver City on January 21 and 22. Teams from nine regions will participate. Unlike the AYSO all-star teams that started post-season play last weekend at the Beverly Hills Sportsmanship Cup, these regional teams include players of all abilities and require that all players must play three-fourths of a game. This past season, Region 69 had 22 boy teams and 21 girl teams in the U10 division, 9 boy and 14 girl teams in U12 and four teams each in U14. U10 BOYS On December 11 at the VA field in Brentwood, the air was crisp and the clouds dark as the Blue Men squared off for a epic match against the Tsunamis. Ian Wertlieb, playing forward, took the ball down the left side early in the game, crossed over the middle and sent a wicked shot past the goalie. However, the game was a battle back and forth with tenacious movement in the middle of the field by halfbacks Ben Tannenbaum and Nicolas Angeledes, who kept the ball moving up the lines with great control and finesse. ‘They, along with Robert Power, controlled the middle of the field. This was a game of passing and moving. Both teams did an excellent job at searching for their teammates for open looks and quick give-and-go passes. Bryant Harris and Josh Citron were unreal in goal all season and this game was just a continuation of their exceptional work in goal. After the Tsunamis capitalized on a fortunate collison near the goal, Skyler Jordan made a short pass to Robert Power who ‘juked’ and ‘dribbled’ his way past the midfield line and defense and then took a blast from a good 30 feet out to make it 2-1 for the Blue. But the Tsunamis would not let up, tying the game on a penalty kick. The Blue Men responded, with Robert Power taking a corner kick from the that crossed in front of the near post. The duo combination of Robert to Harry Baker has been a killer combination all season and this was no exception as Harry placed it into the back of the net and then met Robert for a congratulatory hug. Fighting off the Tsunamis’ attack, Drake and Ian Wertlieb became the defensive wall while Skyler Kaplan kept everything out of the middle as the clock ran down. Then forward Derek Cayton broke loose and beat three defenders before sliding the ball past the keeper for a 4-2 victory. U12 BOYS Coached by Lucy Wayne, the Pali Swags defeated Neon United, 1-0, in a nail-biting final that featured a strong defensive effort and great goalkeeping by both teams. The Swags took the lead in the second quarter with a goal by midfielder Jamie Wayne (his 18th this season). After halftime, the Swags had a penalty shot that shook the crossbar, but bounced off. They valiantly resisted a fourth-quarter onslaught by United. U14 BOYS Green defeated the Penguins, 3-2, in a closely fought battle. Coached by Jorge Navarro and Phil Alford, Green’s Jonah Jacobson scored a hat trick while the Penguins’ dangerous forward, Alex Lee, was marked closely, making it tough for the Penguins to get shots on goal. However, with his team trailing 3-0, Penguins’ captain Matteo Weniz led a ferocious comeback. He made a run from the middle and fired the ball to Lee, who scored. Minutes later, Weniz made a penalty shot. The Penguins continued to pressure Green’s goalkeeper, Connor Netter, but he made save after save to preserve the victory. Both teams gave it all they had and, equally important, great sportsmanship was shown by every player and coach. U10 GIRLS Although the Blue Manheim was ranked sixth in the division at the end of the regular season (with five wins, one loss and two ties), the playoffs saw the team shine. Coached by Fariborz Rodef, the Manheim battled The Danger Zone for the championship. The Zone was ranked number one with seven wins, a loss and a tie, and Manheim had previously lost to them, 4-2. At the end of regulation play, the score was tied 0-0, sending the two teams into overtime. Manheim’s Lauren Elson scored and advanced her team to the regional playoffs. U12 GIRLS The undefeated Navy Seals defeated Green Venom, 2-1, to advance to the regionals. The Seals (coached by Gary Truman) and the Green Venom (coached by Maurizio Grimaldi)’each scored in the first quarter, and the Seals scored again before halftime. Although there were repeated offensive efforts by both teams in the second half, their defenses stayed steady and denied all goals. Scorers for the Navy Seals were Maiya Moran and Brianna Alanis. Sydney McIlvain made strategic throw-ins, while Whitney Elson, Samantha Truman, Edie Flood and Audrey Feldman were strong defensively. Gracie Abrams and Colleen Baskin were effective in goal, and Anya Thein-Sandler and Caitlin Baskin each had breakaways.’ U14 GIRLS The Navy Nerds, coached by Palisadian Molly Milligan, defeated the Purple Panthers, 2-0, in the championship match at Palisades High School. Addy Atwill and Sarah Bonder scored for the Nerds, who had an exceptional defense led by Katie Barnes, plus goalkeepers Becky Sunkin and Eliza Beglari.
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