Soccer Tournament

"HORSERADISH!"

Cameron ended his last season with MASL in stride. Despite not feeling well, he played an amazing 3 games this weekend scoring 7 goals from half back! During a tricky move on the part of the coaching, Cameron played the field in the goalie jersey for the last five minutes of a game. Trailing by one, Cameron scored the tying goal while "technically" playing goalie! He has had great experiences with the league and especially with his coaches Don and Chris. Rick played a major role as assistant over the past several years. It is amazing to think that next year Cameron will be playing High School soccer! YIKES!

Here are quotes from articles in the newspaper:

Game One: Riverhawks 3 Strikers 3
"The wind and drizzling rain made for a slick track during this game. Both teams battled through the elements to mount an exciting back and forth contest. Cameron Crippen (three goals) was a one man scoring machine for the Strikers. The first came off a nice series of passes involving Brandon Sandy, Collin Scholl and Daniel Martinez. The second came off an assist from Christopher Telly. The third came late in the game when Cameron sailed a free kick from the left side of the 18-yard box that tracked just over the outstretched goalie's hands into the high inside corner of the goal. Strikers' defense in this game was strongest from Javier Rodriguez and Kyle Bean. The tie was not exactly what either team needed but kept the Strikers in contention to make the championship round."

Game Two: Strikers 4 Dragons 4
"Following a similar pattern to the previous day's game, the Strikers tied a hard fought game-holding them out of the championship based on point total. The Strikers' attack produced an early goal for Collin Scholl (two goals) when Daniel Martinez squeezed in a pass to Brandon Sandy who then made a perfect cross to Collin in front of the goal. The Dragons responded with two goals to take a lead. Collin closed the gap again when he walked the ball in having juked the goalie following an assist from Cameron Crippen. The Dragons seemed to put the game away taking a 4 - 2 advantage. Not so fast...Cameron (two goals and an assist) got on track Scoring the Strikers third goal. With time running out, Cameron again pulled off a miracle shot off a free kick that knotted the score."

Game Three: Strikers 6 Magic 4
"It took an early two-nil deficit to wake up the Strikers in this one. While both coaching staffs enjoyed a stress free game, the boys began to ratchet up the intensity. Collin Scholl (4 goals 1 assist) got the first of his career-high four goals off a defensive splitting assist from Brandon Sandy (2 assists). The Magic answered back to take a 3 - 1 lead. Collin nailed a PK after getting blasted from behind in the box. He completed a first-half hat trick again thanks to Brandon. It was 3 - 3 at the half.

In the second half Cameron Crippen (two goals) got rolling. He made a slicing run to score and make the first Strikers' lead. His second goal stretched things to 5 - 3Strikers. The Magic were still game making things close at 5 - 4. Collin finished the scoring at 6 - 4 with a run down the side. The Strikers completed the weekend tournament with a strong third place finish. Their 11-2-2 record for the season secured the Strikers place as an elite team within the MASL."


Thanks Nancy for the pictures!