Coach Martin Quiroz’ U19 Girls All Stars                       Coach Mitch Bennett’s U9 Girls All Stars

On a rather cold and damp November weekend (perfect weather for playing soccer, perhaps, but not so much for the parents?) two squads of BRYC girls punched their tickets to the final match of their brackets before coming up just short of their championship goal, nonetheless earning trophies as tournament finalists.  

After a respectable record during Saturday's preliminary games, the U19 girls got an opportunity to play (almost) full-length games on Sunday, defeating Chantilly 1-0 on a goal by Caitlyn (Bubbles) T. with an assist from Marisa G. and besting a physical Herndon squad 2-1 on goals by Marisa and Nora M. (assist from Bubbles). Nora's game winner hit the back of the net with 90 seconds left in the game. Playing for the championship against a Burke team the BRYC girls had defeated 2-1 on Saturday, the girls ran into a stout defense and the game ended 0-0. The Burke team had the better penalty kickers on Sunday and took home the championship trophies.  

Veteran coach Mitch Bennett took his squad of much less experienced U9 Girls to their date with destiny, losing the final match by the narrowest margin of 1-0.  For some of the girls, possibly playing in their first tournament and coming up against a team that was just as determined to win as they were, there were a few moments of tears as the game ended.  But after a few consoling words from the coach, a congratulatory handshake and the repeated mantra "Good game!  Good Game!", by the time the girls accepted their Finalist trophies they were almost all smiles.  (The far right picture below may be fuzzy because of fading light but it’s still the webmaster’s favorite!)

Congratulations to the girls and their coaches, and to all the BRYC boys and girls who participated in the tournament.  Win, lose, or draw, their selection to an All Star Squad is something to be proud of.  Better luck to all next spring.