Storm Wins Apricot Jam

The Pali Storm, a local AYSO girls’ U10 All-Star team, dominated its competition and won top honors at the Apricot Jam Tournament at Arroyo Vista Community Park in Moorpark last weekend. The Storm braved 100-degree weather and strong winds to outscore its four opponents 20-5. “I’m most proud of the fact that of the 20 goals the girls scored, they assisted on 18 of them,” Coach Scot Vorse said. “We had phenomenal passing the entire tournament and our defense play was incredibly solid. We are now winning not because of individual efforts but because of our excellent teamwork. The girls all played with amazing heart and determination.” The Palisades-based team, also coached by Dan Brecher and Don Parcell, beat the Agoura Westlake Lightning 5-1, blanked Santa Barbara 7-0 and defeated a highly-regarded Woodland Hills squad 5-2 to finish first in its pool and earn the top seed for the finals. In the championship game, Pali Storm faced hometown favorite Agoura Westlake Inferno, one of the most accomplished teams in the state. With the wind at their backs, the Storm surged to an early 2-0 lead. Westlake answered with a goal late in the first half. Pali’s defense held tough against the pressing Inferno throughout the second half, but in the final 20 seconds Westlake scored to force overtime. Undaunted, the Storm began extra time with resolve and renewed determination. No goals were allowed by either team in the first five-minute overtime period. In the second overtime, moments before the final whistle (and preventing a penalty-kick shootout), Pali Storm scored to win the championship. Six different players scored throughout the tournament as the Storm skillfully passed the ball from sideline to sideline, frustrating opponents and creating excellent scoring opportunities. Pali’s offense was led by Caitlin Keefe, Kaitlyn Parcell, Erin Ross, and Sydney Brecher. Defenders Michaela Keefe, Jayne Baumgarten, Charlie Robinson and Lili Vorse were solid throughout the tournament. In addition to their efforts in the field, goalies Georgia Raber and Katie Lord made key saves in the title game. With 30 victories this season, the Pali Storm next strike the Chino Hills Kickin’ It Up In the Hills tournament.