Season starts with tie for Rage U13
The season began for Rage U13 Premier against Bay Oaks on last Saturday at Val Vista Community Park, ending in a tie.
In the first half, Haley Lukas took a short corner to Kirsten Jensen. Jensen played it back to Lukas who delivered a cross to Brianna Nicholas who then finished it with a goal. Goalie Brittany Gray came out on a one on one with an excellent save.
The defensive line of Marlo Aghazarian, Precious Akanyirige, Cambi Cukar, and Georgia Savage shut down Bay Oaks at the half.
In the second half, Bay Oaks battled back and put two goals in the net. Rage answered as Kira Ewanich’s fancy footwork and speed helped her to dodge defenders and passe to Andi Boehm, who fired it into the net for a goal. The game ended in a tie with a final score 2-2.
Level 5 gymnasts take first in Concord
The West Coast Olympic Gymnastics Academy level 5 girl’s team competed at Golden Gate Gymnastics in Concord this past Saturday. The team took first place.
In addition, Carly Israel, a Pleasanton resident who attends Mohr Elementary, took the overall high score of the entire competition placing first on vault, bars and beam, and second on floor.
Lauren Kobayashi, a sixth grader at Harvest Park Middle School, took second on beam and floor to place sixth overall. Loren Couture, who attends Hearst Elementary, took second on vault and fourth on bars to finish fourth overall. Finally, Anna Siebel, a third grade student who attends Dublin Elementary, took bronze on bars, beam and bronze overall.
Phantom takes 7th at Western Nationals
The Pleasanton Phantom 14U team placed seventh in the 2008 ASA 14B Fast Pitch Western National Championship Tournament. The tournament, held in Salem, Oregon Aug. 28 through Sept. 3, was comprised of the top 48 14UB teams from 11 western states.
In the opening first round game, Pleasanton defeated Redland Aftershock of Oregon 13-1. Kim Beaudin and Brooke Quesinberry led the offense with three hits apiece. Kara Schott, Christina Jayson and Kelly Taylor chipped in with two hits. Lyndsay Godwin and Elena Montauti both pitched well combining for a one-hitter.
In the second game of bracket play, Pleasanton Phantom went up against a strong Orangecrest team of Riverside. Phantom fell behind twice during the game but was able to rally back, scoring four runs in a decisive sixth inning to win the game 6-2. The game was played in a driving rainstorm but the Phantom prevailed over the elements.
Godwin went distance for the pitching win and Alli Pluschkell had three hits. Tara Cayton reached base all three times and scored two runs. The game was also highlighted by the defense that turned double plays in each of the first two innings led by assists by Quesinberry (CF) and Natalie Tiongco (RF). In the third game, Pleasanton Phantom faced off against the heavily favored Nevada State Champion Henderson Adrenalin who came into the game undefeated in pool play and bracket play. Phantom was able to hold off a late rally to record a thrilling victory.
Adrenalin opened up the scoring right away with a 260-foot line drive, three-run homer to take a 3-0 first inning lead. Undaunted, Phantom got it to 3-2 in the fourth inning on singles by Quesinberry, Beaudin and Marissa Pereira. Then in the fifth inning, Phantom really got it going to take the lead.
Lauren Bennett started with a sharp single that ricocheted off of the first baseman’s glove. Jenel Firneno and Pluschkell both reached base to load the bases. Quesinberry bunted to drive in the tying run and then Beaudin singled to drive in another. Jayson laid down a perfect bunt to make the score 5-3 Phantom. Pereira then ripped a single driving home another run to make the score 6-3. In the sixth inning, Phantom recorded a key insurance run as Cayton tripled and was brought home on a great bunt by Jenel Firneno. Henderson never gave up and used three straight hits in the seventh, but Phantom still took the win.
AV JV falls just short of victory
Big plays and special teams frequently decide JV football games. Amador Valley, with a 23-10 lead and just over five minutes to play, appeared to have just enough of each to win the opener against Freedom. However, it turned out that the Dons needed one more big play or special teams play in a heartbreaking 24-23 loss.
When Dons quarterback Patrick Gibbons connected with Carson Ewanich for a 22-yard scoring pass with 5:02 to go, things looked good for Amador. But then things started to turn. The Falcons ran the ensuing kickoff to the Amador 45 and then made a big play of their own, a 28-yard touchdown run on third and 10, to bring the score to 23-17 with 2:53 remaining.
The subsequent onside kick was recovered by Freedom at the Amador 49. However, the Dons got a big hit from Chris Digangii on a slant pass to stop the Falcons two yards short on fourth down. With 2:14 on the clock, a first down would clinch the game. Unfortunately for the Dons they were unable to convert and Ewanich came in to punt with 1:21 left. Freedom put on a heavy rush up the middle and blocked the punt, recovering inside the one yard-line. A play later they punched it into the end zone to take the 24-23 lead. Amador tried a desperation pass after getting the ball back, but it was intercepted to end the game.
Steelers meet the Saints
The Saints took down the Steelers 12-0 in the senior division on PJFL’s opening day last Saturday.
The game began with the Saints receiving the opening kickoff. After a series of miscues by both teams Ray Hudson broke through the offensive line forcing the Saints to punt. The Saints defense held the Steelers to three and a punt.
The Steelers returned the favor and forced the Saints to punt starting the second quarter. The Steelers decided to go to the air only to have the ball intercepted and returned to the Steelers 10-yard line.
On the first play the Saints ran it in for six points. The Steelers again went to the air, resulting in the second interception of the game. The Steelers defense stepped up big with Trent Morgan making two solo touchdown-saving open field tackles and Hudson breaking through, forcing the Saints to punt.
The Steelers came out running with Joshua Yu picking up 11 yards on two carries, only to have the ball picked by the Saints defense. The Steelers defense came right back and intercepted, giving the ball back to their offense. One play later, the half ended, Saints 6, Steelers 0.
The Steelers received the second half kick with Zack Wilhite returning the ball 32 yards to the Saints 48-yard line. The Saints held the Steelers forcing a punt. The defense came right back and got their second interception of the game. The Steelers went back to the ground game with Alex Ott picking up nine yards on two carries and Yu getting nine more only to be held and forced to punt.
The Steelers miscued the punt and gave the ball to the Saints on the 14-yard line. Six plays later the Saints scored their second touchdown of the game.
The Steelers didn’t give up. On their first play Wilhite picked up 16 yards to the left and Yu picked up 16 more to the right with a pass reception from quarterback Kyle Moreno, only to run out of time ending the game Saints, 12, Steelers, 0.
Seahawks fall to Redskins
The Seahawks found the going tough in their Pleasanton Junior Football League Senior Division opener, falling 24-14 to the Redskins.
Mark Luey scored both touchdowns for the Hawks, including the game’s first, which put the team up 7-0. Tyler Rains made a great block to spring Luey for the touchdown run.
Dylan Isqirdo had a pair of interceptions for the Seahawks to key the defensive effort.
U7 Stealth put heat on Stallions
With the temperature in the 90s, the Stealth sweated out a great game to open the season against the Stallions. Nate McGinty and Michael McMasters scored for the Stealth, while on defense Jack son Hilton and Evan Thomas made it difficult for the Stallions to pressure the net.
