Road to the Finals

The road to state finals was not an easy one for the 96 Banat Gold team. In order to make it to the championship game they had several hurdles to overcome including 3 girls leaving the team right before state and only 11 healthy players. The girls knew it would be tough, but they had a reputation to defend. With a 2nd place finish last year anything less would not be acceptable to them. Halfway thru they suffered a tough loss in double overtime that sent them to the loser's bracket. Some thought they had lost their edge, but they dug deep and fought their way back. They won the next 2 games 4-0 and 3-0 to 2 tough teams. Then in the semi finals they had to face the team that had knocked them into the loser's bracket. With no subs, they knew that was going to be difficult, but the girls played an amazing game! They struck fast and in the first 13 seconds of the game... Anna crossed the ball to CC who put in a beautiful header for a goal. Then Brylee took advantage of a PK and nailed the ball right over the goalie's head. Just before half Anna made a run that drew the goalie out and sent the ball into the back of the net for goal #3! The other team came back a little in the 2nd half and got a ball in on a corner and another on a free kick, but Kylee T answered that with a quick shot from the far post to make it 4-2. Unfortunately, when the other team realized they were about to lose they responded by playing dirty and took out Kylie's foot and CC's knee. Down 2 more, but on to the championships....the very next day. There was no time to recover and the girls were just too broken down, but they gave it their best and never gave up. After Drea got drilled in the head with a ball....they played the end of the game with just 10 players. I have never seen so much drive and heart in team like I did yesterday. The refused to quit, but in the end just couldn't pull it out. They lost 3-0 but earned the respect of everyone watching. I am so proud of these girls and 2nd in the whole state of AZ ain't too shabby!