Amador JV Dons fall to Cal High 17-2
After two blow-out wins against non-league opponents, the Amador Valley JV Dons found the going a bit rougher in their EBAL opener. Facing a big, strong California High squad, who handed them one of their only two losses last (freshman) season, the Don’s came up short again this year 17-12. The loss brings their season record to 2-2.
Friday’s contest started with the Grizzlies returning the opening kickoff 24 yards to the 35 yard line. On the sixth play of the series Cal found an open receiver for a 47-yard touchdown strike with 6:39 left in the first quarter. The first quarter ended with the Dons normally explosive offense only running just one series for four net yards. Meanwhile, helped by a pass interference call, the Grizzlies moved the ball down to Don’s 19-yard line. From there, after gaining only one yard, Cal settled for a field goal to go up 10-0.
On the Don’s second offensive possession, they were able to put together a nine play drive. Capping the drive was a 36-yard touchdown run by Carson Ewanich. On the play, Ewanich followed some great lead blocking on a sweep around left end to get into the end zone. The PAT was unsuccessful, and Amador trailed 10-6.
As the second half started, Amador’s offense continued to struggle, but the Dons defense, anchored by the line play of Jason Haycock and Andrew Garcia, shut down Cal as well. The third quarter ended with the Cal still holding a 10-6 lead. The Grizzlies started the fourth quarter with a drive that consumed much of the period, driving down to the Don’s four yard line. Brian Hill made a stop in the backfield to end the drive and a missed field goal attempt left Amador within striking distance.
Amador finally found some answers offensively and, starting from their 20, the Dons advanced to the Grizzlies 25. The big play of the drive was a 34-yard scamper by Alex Osterholt. However, the drive stalled and the Grizzlies got the ball back with 5:09 left on the clock. From there, Cal put together an eight play TD drive put the Dons to ice the game 17-6 with only 4.3 seconds left. However, the game was not quite over. On the ensuing kickoff, Cameron Ashtiani received the kick-off at the 30 yard line and made a highlight reel dash to the end zone with time expiring. It was a great run, but it was too little, too late for Amador as they fell 17-12.
Hustle 16U go 4-1 in tournament
The Lady Hustle competed in the Grapette’s Showcase tournament last weekend at Northgate Park in Manteca. On Saturday, Lady Hustle 16U opened with a 4-1 win over Lady Canes of Madera. Montana Berg was winning pitcher while Nicole Borchard and Sami Schiller contributed back to back triples to lead the offensive attack. Next was a 6-0 win over the Monarchs with a balanced offensive attack and solid defensive play. Lizzie Fromson was 2 for 2 and threw out a runner at home plate to preserve the shutout for Schiller. Lady Hustle then beat the Norcal Shockers 8-3 behind great pitching from Katie Keller who allowed no earned runs. Nikki Stark and Montana Berg each had two hits to lead powerful attack.
On Sunday, Lady Hustle dropped their first game to Lady Comets before rebounding with a 4-0 victory over the Petaluma Breeze. Leading hitters on Sunday were Jess McKeehan, Erin Cathey, Kristin Ormsbyand Kaitlin Winsor. Sami Schiller had the complete game shutout over the Breeze with eight strikeouts.
The Hustle 14U, also competing in the showcase, finished with one win, three losses and one tie. The team won the first game of championship play: Hustle 4, Fire & Ice 2. The second game against the South Valley Blitz (first place ) ended the Lady Hustle run to the championship Blitz 9, Hustle 2. Standout offensive players included Nicole Erichsen with a triple, Karen Chaw with a double, and a home run by Nicole Evans. Good pitching efforts came from Josie Howatt and Ashley Lotoszynski. Standout offense was aided by Josie Howatt and Bianca Devoto with a double play and Jillian Ceccanti with a double play however the team could not come up with a victory to the championship.
Pumas take edge over BUSC U-16
The Ballistic United U-16 team met up with the Newark Pumas for the second time this season last Sunday at Amador Valley Community Park, with the Pumas hungry to avenge their earlier crushing defeat by Ballistic. Ballistic set a fast pace in the third minute, when Gustavo Rivera sent a cross to Stefan Agustsson, who headed the ball that was stopped by Newark’s goalie. In the fifth minute, Newark answered back, but Ballistic defender Zacharias Laranang blocked the shot by sending it over the goal line for a corner. Later, Laranang earned a yellow card for one of his tackles. Still on the offensive, Newark thought they found a way past Ballistic goalie Adam Bailey, but the shot hit Wesley Ostrowski in the face to deny the goal. In the 22nd minute, Zac Arellano made a perfect pass to Evan Larsen, who jumped up to header the ball over the Newark keeper for the game’s first goal. Newark answered back in the second half by scoring two goals in the 46nd and 53rd minutes. Ballistic midfielder Brandon Krumbach connected several key passes to wingers Ryan Cox and Parker Quesinberry, while defenders Ostrowski, Eddie Schoennagel and Sam Fox were busy preventing the fast Newark forwards from scoring more goals. After the ref called a Newark hand-ball just outside the penalty area, Lucas Crawbuck took a free kick that grazed the crossbar. The tie for Ballistic came in the 56 minute, when Larsen found Mitchell Lowery, who beat the Newark keeper. Ten minutes later, Newark scored its third goal on a breakaway. The Ballistic team continued to battle, with Joey Pereira heading the ball to Larsen, who attempted to even the score. Zac Savoy and Jamie Somerville also created several opportunities each, but were ultimately shut down by Newark’s defenders. In the final minutes, Ballistic’s Rivera raced past Newark’s defenders, but his shot was unlucky, going just left of the goal post. The game ended with a final score, 2-3, in favor of the Newark Pumas.
U19 Al Caffodio team improves to 7-1
The Pleasanton Ballistic Black under-19 boys Al Caffodio team improved its league record to 7-1 by winning both of its games over the weekend: A 2-1 win over FC Fremont Atlas on Saturday and a 2-0 defeat of Mustang on Sunday. Defense was solid led by Aaron Lek, Kevin Phillip, Tyler Copeman, and Niko Lecco. Ballistic strike and scored early against the Atlas. David Norton took a pass from Mason Ridgway down the middle and slotted the ball passed the Atlas goalie. Norton scored again in the second half to give the Ballistic the insurance goal in the second half. Against the Mustang, Norton headed in a beautiful cross from the right end line by Justin Dorsey in the within the first 10 minutes of the game. Patrick Yee made it 2-0 by knocking in a penalty kick in the second half.
Storm finds inner Rage to lose 3-0
Sunday’s Rage U13AC Division 2 game against Fremont Storm brought some good offensive actions that resulted in 3-0 win for Rage. Defense played with great confidence not allowing the opponents to seriously threaten the goal. Rage offense scored the first goal after a corner kick by Mathea Turkalj. Ball was traveling parallel to the goal line and finally kicked into the net by Fremont’s own player. Molly Grozier passed a deep ball to Hannah Stapp who scored the second goal after running almost half of the field with a defender on her side. In the second half Rage kept attacking but team from Fremont, who played with only 10 players, managed to allow just one goal. Evan Murphy passed the ball to Sammi Williams who scored over the goalie’s hands.
The team fell to Lamorinda United 95 on Saturday by a score of 2-0. Goalie Olivia Brown controlled her box with timely runs toward the ball and saving a couple of dangerous shoots. Defense led by Evan Murphy and Marisa Riordan played good against physically stronger Lamorinda’s offense, but two unfortunate defensive errors allowed Lamorinda to score once each half. In the first half of the game Mathea Turkalj, Molly Grozier and Keli Wheatley tried to score from the distance but Lamorinda?s goalie stopped those tries. Second half started with impressive Rage’s offensive effort to equalize, but Lamorinda’s defense successfully protected their goal. Goalie Hanna Menk continued with some impressive saves
Rage tops Ajax 1-0 in Modesto
The Pleasanton Rage U11 AC White Division traveled to Modesto last weekend, beating Ajax United 1-0 on a goal scored by Makenna Elias. Shots on goal were made by Lisa DeFeo, Julia Densmore and Sadie Moore. Goalies Juliet Allen and Bryanna Schreiber had multiple saves to keep Rage in the game.
BUSC U15 sails past Benicia 4-0
The Ballistic United U15s played host to the Benicia Arsenal on Sunday hoping to extend their run of maximum points from their league games this season. Benicia, however were in no mood to cooperate and the first half was an evenly contested affair. It took until just before halftime for Ballistic to break the deadlock. When it happened it was worth waiting for as center-back, Erik Knaggs rose majestically to head home a corner kick. Playing down a slight slope in the second period, Ballistic began to take over. They extended their lead when Jason Chow took a feed from Chris Franzella and ripped in a sensational shot. As Benicia began to fade, Ballistic attacked in wave after wave. Jason Chow turned provider as he set up Toby Harvey for an impressive goal from inside the box. Minutes later, Toby Harvey returned the favor, as he cut in from the right wing and crossed for Jason Chow to tap in easily for the fourth goal. Ballistic ran out winners by a comfortable score of 4-0 guaranteeing that they would maintain their position on top of the table for another week.
