The Pateadores BU17 Blue reached the quarter-finals of the USYA Region IV Championships in Boise, Idaho, with a convincing 3-1 defeat of Central California Blues.
The victory over the Blues at Simplot Field (named after the late, potato tycoon) secured a second place finish in the highly competitive Pool B. The victory comes on the heels of a grueling 1-1 draw with pool leader, Pride SC of Colorado.
The strong showing at Far West Regionals continues a remarkable run for Head Coach Mike Lussier’s team. In May, the BU17 Blue won the 2011 Cal South National Cup with a stunning 5-2 defeat of Vikings at Rancho Capistrano.
Here’s a recap from the BU17 Blue’s Cal South National Cup triumph:
The BU17 Blue got stronger and stronger as this grueling and unforgiving tournament wore on. They scored an incredible nine goals in their final two games. In the semi-final game, the Pats handed the Vikings Storm a lopsided 4-1 defeat.
Two things were clear from this amazing result. The BU17 Blue were in-form and in peak condition. The team’s terrific form was the direct result of Head Coach Mike Lussier’s commitment to attractive, attacking soccer. Lussier unleashed the creative talents of his players to put big numbers on the scoreboard. The strategy worked. In the finals, the Vikings, unable to properly defend the Pats BU17 Blue onslaught, grew frustrated. The result was that two key Vikings players were sent-off with red cards, effectively ruining any chance for Vikings’ glory.
The passion generated by National Cup were on display throughout the tournament, particularly in the early rounds of the BU17 Blue’s bottom-half of the draw. The Pats fought their way through high energy, highly competitive games, beating Cypress 2-1 and Arsenal White 2-1. It was during these games that the Pats BU17 Blue solid defense and goal-tending were critical to the team’s success.