BREAKING NEWS: Alverno wins CIF-SS Division VII title!!!
By Miguel A. Melendez
Staff Writer
MISSION VIEJO -- There was no need reminding the Alverno High School girls soccer team.
The victory. The patches. The plaque.
It was all for Frankie Russo Jr.
The team knew it and so did the fans braving a chilly night.
With two minutes left, Jaguars fans started chanting "Fran-kie! Fran-kie! Fran-kie!"
In a season when Alverno's beloved athletic director for 15 years and softball coach for almost 19 seasons missed just one game, his presence perhaps was felt none more than on Friday night.
Riding a wave of emotions after attending Russo's funeral earlier in the day, the Jaguars pressed through and secured a 3-1 victory over Vasquez to win the CIF-Southern Section Division VII championship at Mission Viejo High.
This is the Jaguars' (19-1-2) first ever divisional title. The furthest they'd advanced was the quarterfinals. Alverno will learn Sunday if they will be invited to the Southern California Regionals when CIF releases the brackets Sunday.
Moving forward with the game is what Russo would have wanted, many said. Russo, 46, passed away last Sunday after suffering a stroke. Tending to duties wasn't just Russo's job. It's what he loved to do best.
"It's been a rough week for us but we held it together and we played in honor of his memory," said Alverno coach Ken Berry who knew Russo for 10 years. "(Russo) was ready to come to see this and I'm hoping he's watching over this"
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For that reason, the Jaguars (19-1-2) were driven even more to not let the season end with a loss. Alverno played as it had all season long, thriving off defensive miscues and exploiting open gaps.
Vasquez (24-1) had not lost a game since late December 2007 and provided little opposition to the much stronger, athletic and faster Jaguars.
Jessica Capra scored scored off a right-foot volley just outside the 6-yard box to give Alverno a 1-0 lead in the 24th minute. When they weren't slipping into open gaps, the Jaguars executed on setpieces, specifically corner kicks.
It was the source for Alverno's second goal, courtesy of Cassie Saavedra whose header off a Marina Lesse corner kick in the 46th minute set off a frenzy on the Alverno bench.
But the Mustangs showed why they were unbeaten for almost two seasons. They countered well and their passing combinations were well executed. Chloe Crawford put Vasquez on the scoreboard when she converted on a header to make it 2-1 in the 52nd minute.
The match intensified as the clock dwindled. Three times the Mustangs had opportunities to tie the game, but perhaps their chance none better than when Samantha Calderon's ball through was well-placed ahead of Samantha Houle. Houle's shot, however, went wide right before keeper Chellee Parker came charging from her position to stop the threat.
Maha Abdallah scored in the 75th minute to seal the win. Her goal was arguably the best of the night. It was a blistering shot from 40 yards out, sailing over the Mustangs' defending wall and keeper Caitlyn Dwyer.
"We played our best," Lesse said, "and it was all for Frankie."
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Melendez worked as a correspondent for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for three years and later landed a job as a freelance writer at the Los Angeles Times before accepting an offer at The Orange County Register covering high schools. Melendez covered Major League Soccer at The Register for three years before being promoted to report on the Lakers, Angels and Dodgers for the Web. Melendez also worked for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Fresno Bee, Oakland Tribune and The Boston Globe. E-mail opinions, suggestions and tips to miguel.melendez@sgvn.com. |
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No matter how often a pitcher goes to the water it is broken in the end.
Naaaaah. FWRL games are on the weekend as are the tourneys you mentioned in addition to a bunch of others (Nomads, Arsenal, etc.). The players can practice with their club teams this week as long as they don't scrimmage, and play in the CIF Tourney on Tuesday and Thursday. There is only one Alverno player that I am aware of that could have a conflict on the weekend. But they'll never make it past Parker on Tuesday anyway.
Only 6 girls and boys teams across all of SoCal may have conflicts on the weekend and most will be able to drive to the tourneys after the finals. Those teams that are travelling for FWRL will definitely have an issue, but the amount of overlap will be small.
i hate to tell you this but CIF Teams that are in state/regional tournaments will not have there best players playing. most of the girls will be going to club soccer starting Monday March 9. they have Far West Regional League, Las Vegas Showcase games, other tournaments. girls who are playing high level soccer would rather go to club than high school. sad but that is the way it is.
Alverno now has to play some good competition in the CIF Regional Tourney. Parker High School would be a Seeded team in CIF-SS D5...like an Oak Park. Their Frosh GK is from Surf White and probably can touch the crossbar standing flatfoot...she is athletic too. 9 returning starters in an all-club roster
Alverno gets shut out 4-0....but could be much worse
Congrats to Alverno. You had the better talent on the field. I think that other poster was right all along about the number of the club players.
Congratulations to the girls. You played hard and won and deserve the glory. I also know it was a huge send off to Frankie who was looking down watching you play.
Great job to all of you!
Congrats to our girls! They played hard and they deserve this awesome win. Each one of them played their hearts out and the coaches really appreciate their efforts. This is also a great sendoff for our two seniors and they made their mark on Alverno. Thanks for the memories and a great gift in memory of Frankie.
Congrats to the Alverno HS Girls Soccer Team!!!
WOW this is truly amazing. Congrats! =]
Congratulations to Alverno's girls on their win tonight.