Pateadores GU12 Irvine White Pats reached the finals of United Cup. Head Coach Kevin Elson’s squad went undefeated in pool play, and powered through the semifinals before falling in a hard-fought final 1-0.
The girls displayed tremendous collective heart the entire weekend, dominating possession in every game while tying their first two games: 1-1 against eventual champion Claremont Stars SC Black and 1-1 against Inland Empire Surf. The latter game, played under the lights, featured nearly a dozen shots on goal by the Pats, a furious comeback to tally the game-tying score with under three minutes remaining – and what should have been the game-winning goal scored just as the referee blew the closing whistle.
In the semifinal encounter against L.A. Premier FC, the Pats again dominated play, scoring a P.K. goal at the end of the first half and adding an insurance goal late to win 2-0. And in the final against Claremont, the girls didn’t let down despite their fourth game of the hot August weekend, playing the Stars even until giving up the deciding goal with less than five minutes remaining in regulation; and fighting until the end, just missing on several opportunities to even the score in the closing minutes and take the championship to extra time.
Suffice it to say the GU12 Irvine White Pats are riding a wave of confidence as they prepare for their final summer tournament in Thousand Oaks, Aug. 24-25. The team is getting stronger, communicating well and above all else, playing hard-nosed, competitive soccer like never before. Go Pats!