Boys’ 3-4 Silver: Andersen edges Harbor View
It’s amazing what some great fan support can do for a team at the Daily Pilot Cup.
Just ask the Andersen boys’ third- and fourth-grade Silver Division team. The Andersen boys received a big boost from the school’s girls’ third- and fourth-grade Gold Division team. The Andersen boys also cheered on the Andersen girls in their games. The teams brought back two Daily Pilot Cup trophies to the school after the tournament.
Andersen edged Harbor View, 1-0, for the boys’ Silver Division championship Sunday at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa.
Brando Betti scored with a header in the third minute and that was all Andersen needed. The Andersen boys also earned a thrilling 1-0 win over Mariners Christian in the semifinals. Oliver Ayala scored with less than a minute remaining for the big win.
Betti, who had four goals and three assists in the tournament, said the Andersen girls helped motivate the boys’ team to win.
“It was fun,” Andersen boys’ coach Scott Ecker said of the 16th annual Daily Pilot Cup. “We came out not knowing what we can do. Just a bunch of kids having a good time. We took it one game at a time and we just kept winning. It was fun to see. In our semifinal game the girls cheered us on. They all took pictures together. It was a close group of kids.”
The Andersen boys used a strong defense to earn the championship. Jackson Ecker (PK goal in second game in pool play), Pete Daniels, Dylan Duplanty, Danny Dillon and Donovan Vasquez were strong on defense.
Jake Winn, Betti, Zach Segura, Matt Riker, Bryson White, Bear Caulfield, Guillo Misanto and Grayson Kalamaras stood out in the midfield for Andersen.
Luke Wallace, a forward, scored four goals, while Ayala finished with three goals. Charlie Olsen was also a contributing forward.
Ben Daniels and Caleb Annett were goalies
Harbor View played hard in the final, but just couldn’t find the equalizer.
“They hustled the whole time,” Coach Mark Paz said of his Harbor View team. “They showed some great spirit. Great teamwork. The kids played hard.”
Harbor View scored a 4-1 win over Victoria in the semifinals Sunday morning. Brock Paz scored two goals, while Nicolas Samen and Charlie Allen added one goal each.
Brock Paz and Charlie Allen were great scorers for Harbor View during the tournament.
Gavin Gossen shined with his all-around play, while Nathan Evans, Ethan Dyer, Blake Woroniecki and Andrew Miehe were solid midfielders. The defense was led by goalie Carter Loth.
Conrad Lepore, TJ Rokos and Nicolas Samen were big-time defenders who helped Harbor View allow just two goals the entire tournament.
The team was rounded out by Luca Fasulo, who was unavailable for the weekend games, and Mathew Winstead, who suffered a broken arm in a scrimmage the previous week.
Brad Gossen and Theo Rokos were also coaches for the Harbor View team.
Jay Wallace was also a coach for Andersen.