photo by Sunni Killfoil

Competing throughout spring 2011 at the elite Gold level of Norcal soccer,  FC Samoa’s U13 Girls closed this successful year with an overall record: 23/Wins,  11/Ties and only 7/Losses.   League Champions of Nor Cal Premier last fall, this past weekend they capitalized on their momentum with a Championship gold medal in the Gold Division of the Rogue Valley Cup in Medford Oregon.  Under the leadership of coaches Nick Parker and Ethan Ricca, the girls executed their classic European style game to confound their opponents.  Winning their first three games versus opponents from California, Oregon and Nevada by a margin of one goal, they entered Monday’s championship round vs. Medford, OR as the tournament favorite.   

photo by Suni Killfoil

Windsor, CA... As a fitting follow-up to placing 1^st (undefeated) in their fall NorCal Premier Soccer league, FC Samoa’s U-13 Girl’s d1 travel squad was promoted to the highly competitive NorCal Gold Spring league.  Braving a commute through the newly created 101 detour through Alderpoint, the team fielded 14 seasoned players against two aggressive “gold” level ranked teams.  On Saturday, FC competed with the Sonoma SCA 98 team, resulting in a hard fought 1-2 loss, with Olivia Ritter scoring the only Samoa goal on an impressive direct kick.  After this warm-up game, on Sunday FC faced off against the recent Gold level NorCal State Cup Champions (Sonoma SCA North), a formidable opponent for this early in the season.   Falling behind in the first half by two goals, Samoa’s powerful team spirit kicked in, and these girls dug deep in their competitive souls to make a comeback.   During the second half of the game, with the help of Zoe Elloway-Wonenberg’s hustle, Olivia Ritter and Ashleigh Harrison produced an offensive soccer “clinic” with two virtuoso goals each, despite extremely physical play by their opponents. Amanda Davis was inspirational on defense, tallying numerous headers and ball-winning challenges.  Final score was an impressive victory for FC Samoa (4-3). FC Samoa has even crept into the regional (6 states) rankings of elite soccer teams, knocking off 2 or 3 ranked teams in recent weeks.  Next action is scheduled for April 16^th & 17^th in Santa Rosa, versus Delta United and Heritage SC Dynamite.        

photo by Suni Killfoil

Hayward, CA…Although many folks associate soccer with the fall, serious soccer clubs run programs that span 8 or 9 months a year.  This is true of the all-county FC Samoa Club and the (returning) Girls D1/U13 NorCal Champion team from fall 2010.  With only minor changes to the roster, these players have demonstrated that they can compete at the highest level of cutthroat California club soccer, by taking 2^nd Place in last weekend’s Juventus Northern CA Spring Showcase Tournament in the Bay Area.  Over two hundred teams (many of them ranked in respective states) compete in this prestigious event drawing experienced squads from as far away as Colorado and Utah, and attracting college scouts from all over the West to the u-17 and u-19 segments. This Tournament is primarily used by the ‘ranked’ Bay Area teams to get ready for the d1 State Cup…and jockey for “seeding”.

photo by Tiffany Thomsen

The FC Samoa U13 Girls have demonstrated that they are a force to be reckoned within their D1 NorCal Premier US Club Soccer league.  Completing their season long consistent shutout performance, the FC Samoa squad turned in a tough fought 0-0 game on Sat. November 6^th versus the Mill Valley Rockers.  On Sunday, FC Samoa wrapped their unbeaten league season with another shutout performance versus the Rincon Valley Soccer Club, a 3-0 decision.  Highlights included two goals in the first half by Ashleigh Harrison, one of which was a stunning header…something you don’t see from your average 12 year old player.  Terra Clarke, again dominated the mid-field and rocketed the third goal from way outside the box.  Goalie Maddie Pomerantz completed a stunning twelfth consecutive shutout performance.  Securing at least 2nd place in their Nor Cal division, the FC Samoa Club has proven that this rural based-soccer program can produce competitive soccer athletes who can compete against the perennially strong competition in Northern California (and they traveled 250 miles every time they played a Bay Area team).  Drawing athletes from two counties, the FC Samoa Club embraces a comprehensive coaching approach that is rarely found, even in the higher populated suburban programs throughout Northern California.  Veteran coach Nick Parker credits the success of this program to a very supportive and ambitious Parent/Player group who are able to see beyond short-term success, and embrace a strategic approach to coaching.  Assistant Coach Ethan Ricca, Club Strength and Conditioning Coach Andy Salatnay, and Goalie Coach Ryan Romero round out this successful team effort.  Coach Nick emphasizes that “Authentic soccer involves a commitment to playing an intelligent game that is long on finesse and short on rough tactics.  This team showed a lot of skill and maturity this season by consistently playing our style game."     

photos by Tiffany Thomsen

With its consistent  “shut-out” approach to competitive D1 soccer, FC Samoa stepped up to compete in the U14 division at the Spookfest Tournament in Ft. Bragg this past weekend.  Always a tournament that attracts top level competition from all over northern California, the younger, smaller and defensively feisty FC squad (with only one true U14 player), managed to produce a shut-out performance all weekend.  Saturday’s competition consisted of two Santa Rosa powerhouses, the Santa Rosa Wildcats and the Annadel Thunder…two large, fast and aggressive teams who discovered what a swarming defense and competent goalie can do to force you to adjust your game.   Although FC Samoa had a few opportunities to score in these two games, the combination of defensive rotation and mid-fielder assistance on defense really dictated the result of these two games…two hard fought 0-0 ties.  Maddie Pomerantz added to her reputation in goal by turning back more shots than almost any two games in the entire season, including a classic goalie slide tackle (with bruises and cleat marks to the knee to prove her warrior approach to this position).  

On Sunday morning, FC Samoa faced a must win game vs. the Montclair Clippers in order to advance to the medal round.  Coach Nick requested a 3-0 result from the players, to maximize points going into the next round, and the team responded.  Breaking away from a recent trend of tie games (four in a row), two goals were scored by Jesse Bareilles (one off of an assist from Olivia Ritter, returning from a head injury, sporting her new gladiator appropriate head gear).  Terra Clarke, our roaming mid-fielder scored her first goal of the season, bringing the victory in at 3-0.  Special recognition goes to Taylor Ruhland who came off of a foot injury from the prior day, to put in a gritty defensive performance supporting her back field teammates.  

In the second game (the medal round), facing the second place squad from the other flight (the Rohnert Park Rage), FC stepped up their game against one of the two best teams in the entire tournament.  Managed by veteran officials, this game produced two yellow cards for the Rage, and FC Samoa played their classic world cup style soccer with ferocious defense and strategic passing…and it looked like they were headed for another draw, when two opportunities appeared in the last few minutes.  First a PK for Samoa that did not go in, and then a direct kick off of a penalty by Olivia Ritter.  The kick was so perfectly placed that it glanced high off of the goalie’s finger tips, hit the goal bar, and went in.  Final score was 1-0 Samoa, securing 3^rd Place/Bronze Medal, with another classic FC Samoa performance.  Goalie Maddie Pomerantz completed her 10^th consecutive shut-out game for the 2010 season.  FC Samoa moves on to the final weekend of its fall season on November 6^th and 7^th, with the NorCal championship on the line.           
 

With a pair of 0-0 draws over the weekend, the FC Samoa Under 13 girls soccer squad is atop the NorCal Premiere League in the Bay Area.

Samoa earned the ties through two gritty performances against two of the premier teams in the league; Tiburon United on Saturday and Novato FC on Sunday.

The team now sports a 4-0-4 record (four wins, no losses, four draws). Even more impressive is the fact the team has only given up one goal in eight NorCal Premier games this season, a tribute to to FC Samoa's effective defensive rotation and to Maddie Pomerantz's standout performance in goal.

"Three teams were locked up fighting for the title and two of them were the two teams we played,” said head coach Nick Parker. “We're definitely in first place, but there will be some mathematics at the end of the season.”

FC Samoa with a bye this week, will be back in action traveling to the Spookfest Tournament in Ft. Bragg next weekend to compete against strong U14 competition, and then will wind up league play with a final road trip south to face Mill Valley and Rincon Valley the weekend of November 6th. The results of that final weekend will determine FC Samoa’s position as potential champions!

Photo credits - All photos below taken by Tiffany Thomsen

Another fine effort this past weekend by FC Samoa’s U13 Girls leads to a league leading 4-0-2 record.  Operating without the offensive prowess of Olivia Ritter (on injured reserve), Samoa regrouped and demonstrated impressive team depth with two victories versus two of the strongest teams in their NorCal division, NYSA Novato United and the TPSC Sharks. 

On Saturday, Samoa matched up against the well –coached Novato squad, providing goalie Maddie Pomerantz with more action than the team bargained for.  The Sharks dominated the 1^st half, with both teams remaining scoreless.  As the momentum swung both defensively and offensively in the second half, Samoa’s Ashleigh Harrison scored a valiant unassisted goal with a mere 10 minutes left in the game.  Final was a 1-0 FC Samoa victory.

On Sunday, FC Samoa faced their primary competition for 1st Place in their NorCal division, the TPSC Sharks.  Although the Sharks were playing without a couple of their premier players, it was clear that this was still going to be a quality soccer match-up.  Jumping out to a rare 1^st half Samoa lead, with two impressive goals by Ashleigh Harrison, much of the positive tempo of this game goes to the proficient mid-field play of Terra Clarke, Hayley Warren, Tawnya Thompsen, Amanda Davis, and Hannah Pomerantz.  Another goal was scored in the second half by Emily Carter, off of a clean assist by Ashleigh Harrison.  Clearly pleased with his team’s well-rounded play, Coach Nick credited the win to crisp passing, mid-field dominance and of course aggressive offensive play.   And, let us not forget the unsung heroes of the defense….Ivy Ricca, Taylor Ruhland, and Natalie Opalach…and what was up with Ashleigh swooping in to assist goalie Maddie Pomerantz with that defensive clear out of the ball (preserving Samoa’s shutout)!  Coach Nick spoke to the team and parents after the game, about the important foundation that was built last spring, leading to the current successes.  Final was 3-0, FC Samoa…but the team faces both of  these teams again next weekend, and without a doubt,  they will be looking to even the score!                     

Last weekend, the FC Samoa U13 Girls team ventured back to the North Bay to continue their fall adventure in the NorCal league.  The first of three weekends in a row of competition, the girls clearly came to play.  On Sat. 10/2, the squad efficiently dominated the Rincon Valley Strikers team with a combination of solid team passing, efficient defense, and a burst of 2^nd quarter offense from the front line.  Tawnya Thomsen scored first, followed by two goals by Ashleigh Harrison , and a strategic assist by Olivia Ritter.  The roving defense of Ivy Ricca, Talyor Ruhland, and Hayley Warren...created little action for goalie, Maddie Pomerantz.  Final was 3-0 Samoa.

On Sun. 10/3, for the second time this season, Samoa came up against the aggressive play of Central Marin United.  Although Samoa had an improved performance against United’s fast paced style of game,  the first goal was scored by Marin off of a  stunning direct kick that hit the upper left corner goal post, and was deflected in.  Down 0-1 for almost the entire game, Samoa fought valiantly on both offense and defense, and kept to their efficient passing game formula…despite a very odd condition of deep mud holes on one side of the field.  After battling throughout the second half on both ends of the field, Olivia Ritter sealed the fate of this game with a stunning direct kick to upper corner of the United goal.  Final was 1-1, moving FC Samoa temporarily into 1^st Place in NorCal (due to having played one more game than any other team).  The next challenge and true test for FC Samoa will be versus NYSA Novato and TPSC Sharks this weekend!           

After winning the Silver medal at the recent Mad River Redwood Classic, U14 Girls Tournament in late August, FC Samoa hit the road on the weekend of Sept. 11th for their season opener and two competitive games versus Central Marin United in San Rafael, and Mill Valley Rockers in Mill Valley. The highlight of the Saturday game included a wholesale offensive substitution by Coach Nick in the second quarter which resulted immediately in the scoring of the game’s only goal by Olivia Ritter off of a pass from Claire Bareilles. The game was played under the extreme conditions of 90+ degree temperatures, but our Humboldt girls toughed it out in the second half, played their team game, and put this game in the win column for this new FC Samoa unit. A side note is that the San Rafael parents were very welcoming and appreciative of FC Samoa’s commitment to traveling to the Bay Area to compete. A thoughtful tribute and moment of silence was observed before the game in honor of a local player who had passed away recently.

On Sunday, something unique occurred in the morning game as parents stood on the sidelines shivering in morning temperatures at the edge of the bay in Mill Valley. With clear direction from Coach Nick regarding improvements over the prior day’s play, the entire FC Samoa squad came out and played a very effective and inspired game against the well coached and talented Mill Valley Rocker team. The overall teamwork and crisp passing game by FC Samoa was an absolute thing of beauty, and the team forced their competition to adjust their entire game. Another highlight of this game were the solid performances FC Samoa’s goalie, Maddie Pomerantz as well as and the opposing team’s goalie. Both experienced extensive action and demonstrated solid defensive skills, in a game that resulted in a 0-0 tie. Coach Nick shared the ultimate compliment from the opposing team’s coach regarding FC Samoa’s passing performance…not too shoddy coming from a Brazilian coach with a Class A coaching rating! Next games will be versus Rincon Valley Soccer Club on October 2nd and Central Marin United on October 3rd.

Following a successful Spring 2010 soccer season, FC Samoa has smoothly transitioned into fall with a combination of talented veterans and new recruits. Nick Parker has skillfully established key roles for each player on the roster of 16, and the team has already shown strong indications that Nick’s World Cup style passing and play-making formula will make this team highly competitive with their NorCal counterparts. The following players are on the fall 2010 roster: