The EDYSL 12U girls Impact 99 team, led by Coach Mario Alejandro, recently claimed a championship in its first U12 premier soccer tournament: the prestigious California Cup Soccer Tournament.

The championship game was a nail biter – 0-0 at the half. Impact showed true grit and kept the pressure on till Andrea Corona capitalized on an indirect kick and scored a spectacular, game-winning goal.

Within the first five minutes of game one, Alexandrea Rizo headed in the team’s first goal of the weekend off a perfect pass from Alexandrea Diaz. In game two, Jaime Ward rocketed a goal from 25 yards out. Ashley Schieber followed up with a beamer from right field and Rizo notched yet another goal. In an impressive display of positional discipline and hustle, the Impact defense allowed no shots on goal. Impact goalie Elle Ray never touched the ball.

In the third match, a more physical clash than the first two, the girls continued to play consistently and intensely, earning them a 3-1 victory.

– Contributed by Jennifer Ward