The 5th annual Ryan Gordon Foothill-Amador Alumni Soccer Game went raised more than $5,000 which will be distributed in equal amounts to the Amador and Foothill high school soccer programs. Since the tournament began five years ago it has raised over $30,000 for the two programs.
This year, ore than 75 alumni participated and raised more contributions than ever. The snack bar alone made $400.
Many Amador and Foothill soccer alumni came out to participate in the event, including class years dating back to the 1970s and 1980s. The games are in honor of Ryan Gordon, who was killed just weeks after graduating from Foothill High in 2003 in a boating accident. Ryan was a forward on the Foothill varsity soccer team as well as a member of the Ballistic United Soccer Club (BUSC). Ten of Ryan’s former teammates participated in the recent games.
Women soccer alums played first, with Foothill ending a three-year Amador streak and winning 7-0. The game saw star performances by Erin Wylie (2005), Jillian Sweetnam (2006) and Kristie Kuhns (2007).
In the men’s game, Dylan Curtis (2004) helped Amador win 2-1 by scoring the first goal of the game off an assist from Joel Crompton (2005). Mike Cusenza scored the second goal by deflecting it off one of the Foothill defenders. Both Rob Flores (2002) of the Dons and Chris Luxford (2003) of the Falcons displayed excellent goaltending.
During the halftime intermissions, youth soccer players from the Pleasanton Rage and the BUSC also played. Family, friends and relatives of the alumni and children packed into the stands at Foothill to watch the event, including many who were friends of Ryan Gordon.
Curt Gordon, Ryan’s father and event organizer, is working to set up a Web site for next year to provide easier access for pre-registration and more information about the event.
“I would love to find a volunteer to set up a simple transaction Web site that can be used to sell tickets and post pictures of the games,” he said.
He also said he was very pleased with this year’s event but is considering moving the games to the Fall due to the hectic schedules people have during the holiday season.
–Tyler Bierbower
