Tormenta FC 10G DPL & 11G DPL teams also fair well on weekend
Dallas – On a rain-soaked weekend in Texas, the Tormenta FC 09G Development Player League (DPL) team defeated Santa Barbara CA Central Coast Academy 1-0 to win the U15 Summitt Championship, earning themselves a berth in the U15 DPL 2024 Finals, the league’s national championship event, slated for June 26 in Ontario, California.
Emma Scott scored the game’s lone goal with only five minutes remaining after Sharlene Mosqueira drew a penalty.
“I’ve always felt that pressure is a privilege,” Scott said. “I wanted to psych out their keeper, so I kept looking at all four corners before I took the shot, and then I decided to curve it into the bottom right corner.”
Scott also scored a pair of goals in the semifinal, with Mosqueira adding a solo, leading Tormenta FC to a 3-0 victory over Arizona SC.
In the opening game against the Colorado Rush, Catherine Anne Whitfield and Madalynn Baker each had a brace, while Hollis Melnick scored as well, leading Tormenta to a 5-1 conquest.
Bella Grace Baker was the goalkeeper for all three wins, gaining much praise from her teammates.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the ‘09s for winning the top group against some elite competition, especially after losing the final game last year,” Head Coach Miguel Lopez praised.
The Tormenta FC 2010 DPL Girls squad was unable to make up a game against Sacramento CA FC due to the relentless rain that hit Dallas this week. The team lost its opening game in the U14 Showcase to New York FC Dutchmen 1-2. The lone goal was a sparkling effort, as Marisa Mora, a left-footer, curved a well-placed corner kick from the right shoulder into the center of the box, and Zoe Hays headed it before it hit the ground into the right corner, tying the game in the second half.
“I usually get to kick the corners on my high school team as well, so I practice it a lot, and Zoe made a beautiful play on it,” Mora said.
Mora, Leila Aberle, and Anna Melissa Torres-Espino scored goals in their second game, along with an own goal, shutting out Albion SC Las Vegas 4-0.
“While I was disappointed to have us travel all that way and not get a third game in due to the weather, I was very pleased to see our 10s finish the weekend with a strong win,” Lopez remarked.
Tormenta FC 11G DPL was edged by Connecticut Ginga Elite FC by a score of 1-0 in the championship final of the U13 Summit Europa. Ginga FC scored early in the first half and dominated possession for most of the game. It was the only goal that keeper Raynor Gault allowed all weekend.
“They were a good team, and it was our second 80-minute game that day, so we were exhausted,” attacking midfielder Alice Carmines noted. “We played our brains out, and I was so proud of how everyone played together.”
In their first game, Tormenta FC defeated FC Tampa Rangers 1-0, scoring midway through the first half when Carmines took a touch on a throw-in and found Julia Schehl streaking down the middle, who took a sweet touch as well before firing a left-footed shot along the ground into the right corner.
“Our coaches, Lindsay Taylor and Miguel Lopez, really did a great job keeping us focused,” Carmines added.
Karley Schultz opened the scoring in Tormenta FC’s second game of the match, beating the opposing keeper to a high punt into the wind and kicking it over her to bulge the twine. Midway through the second half, Makenzie Loth crossed the ball into the box, searching for Carmines and another teammate. Unfortunately, both players mistimed their shot, but Carmines took advantage of a second chance, volleying in a bar-down shot to double the lead and sealing the semifinal win over Georgia Roswell Santos SC.
“It was great to see the 11s making it to the final of their first Summit, and their efforts should definitely push them forward,” Lopez said. “Overall, this weekend was a very challenging experience. Our schedule kept getting moved around a lot due to the weather, and all players and parents had to be on standby. The competition was top-notch for all three of our teams, and each game was close and competitive.”
Committed to raising the level of soccer locally and nationwide, Tormenta FC Academy has programs available for ages two to 19. It is the only youth academy in South Georgia and the Lowcountry of South Carolina with a path to the professional ranks. For additional Academy news and content, follow Tormenta FC Academy on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For further information or scheduling interviews, please contact Noah Schroyer at (770) 871-8654 or email nschroyer@tormentafc.com or Caroline Boykin at (912) 667-9422 or email cboykin@tormentafc.com.
