Players for the Delta Xplosion U12 Girls Class 1 Team, front row from left, are Monica Prieto and Megan Pato; second row: Ale Hinojosa, Siobhan Williamson, Kailee Soares and Rebekah McCarthy; third row: Janis Gamboa, Alyssa Rodriguez and Dominique Guerra; back row: Danielle Dickerson, Jacqueline Laird, Anjelica Yee, Sidne Spencer, Callie Rainsford and Kaylee James. The coaches, from left, are Ed Prieto, Tim McCarthy and Nick Howliston. Photo courtesy of Ed Prieto
On Dec. 14, the Xplosion, led by Head Coach Mike Rainsford and assistant coaches Tim McCarthy, Nick Howliston and Ed Prieto, played in the Mustang Tournament in Blackhawk, winning the first four games and then beating the Mustangs in the finals 3-1 to capture the championship.
On Jan. 10 and 11, the Xplosion girls played in the Castro Valley Winter Classic Tournament against some of the top teams from the state. In its first game, the Delta team faced the home team and tournament-favorite, the Castro Valley Fury. In a fierce battle and behind 1-0 early in the second half, the Xplosion girls never gave up and forced the contest into a 1-1 deadlock.
Later that evening, the Xplosion girls beat the Pleasanton Rage 2-0, setting up a semifinal match the following day against rival Diablo FC Shockwave. The Xplosion scored with five minutes left, winning 1-0.
The championship game was a tough defensive struggle against the Bay Oaks Breakerz. The Xplosion girls were relentless, scoring the only goal of the game to win the tournament.
– Contributed by Ed Prieto
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