Back row L to R:  Peggy Rice-Mgr, Dennis Gunnell-coach, Hannah Cooper, Julia Olson, Hadley Gunnell, Katrina King, Meghan Peterson, Adriane Biddle, Jose Quiray-coach
         Front Row:  Taylor Mitchell, Talyn Miller, Cristina Rice, Cory Biggs, Emily Wamble, Marissa Jones, Ruby Bottger

This past weekend the FC Alliance Gold U-18 girls team completed their youth soccer career in fine style. The Washington State Challenge Cup semis and finals were held at Starfire Soccer complex. FCA Gold was matched up against the FCSC The Force from Vancouver, WA in the first semi-final match. FCA held control throughout the game with many good scoring opportunities and came away with a much deserved 1-0 win to advance to the finals on Sunday against the Silverdale, WA FC Crush. The game did not start out well for the Alliance. Although with FCA playing well and holding a slight majority in possession the Crush were able to push through two first half goals to take a 2-0 lead into half time. Shortly after half time the hole was dug deeper as the Crush put a third and seemly finishing goal in the net against FC Alliance.
 
However the Alliance were not to give up. Still holding the majority of the possession FCA started pushing more bodies forward and taking chances that soon paid off. Cristina Rice netted a nice goal to start the scoring and then a few short minutes later she again found the net off a great cross from the right wing by Taylor Mitchell. Now with the score 3-2, FCA had the Crush on their heels and continued the pressure. With about 15 minutes remaining and FCA pressuring the goal, the Crush were forced to use an arm hold in the box to prevent a scoring opportunity. The referee was right on top of it calling the foul immediately. With all eyes on her, Hadley Gunnell stepped up to bury the ball in the right side of the net sending the keeper the other way. Tie Score!
 
Both teams continued to battle through out the final minutes with each having a good scoring opportunity late, but not being able to convert the winner. Overtime produced much of the same. FCA’s fitness was superior and their passing skills allowed them to keep possession much of over time and the Crush was forced to pack in the back making clear opportunities in overtime difficult. After the 30 minutes of play both teams stayed knotted.
 
Kicks from the mark would determine the outcome. Adrianne Biddle netted the first kick to put FCA in the lead. Crush countered with a goal of their own. Meghan Peterson, calm as always, slotted another goal to again put the pressure on the Crush. Their shot was low to the right which was read perfectly by FCA goalkeeper Katrina King for a fantastic save. Emily Wamble netted the third shot and Taylor Mitchell netted the fourth. Both goals equaled by the Crush. Going into the fifth round it was again Hadley Gunnell’s chance from the mark. With confidence she hit the ball hard and to the right upper corner only to see it bang off the crossbar. Crush had to make their shot to stay alive which they did. The sixth round saw Marissa Jones at the mark. Not having taken a Penalty Kick in her FCA Gold career she calmly stepped up with a very well placed shot to the right corner to put FCA again in the lead. The Crush sent their sixth kicker to the mark and with everyone holding their breath Katrina again came up big. The shot was hard to her right but she read the kicker beautifully and with both hands squarely behind the ball saved the shot. The FCA players, coaches, parents and fans went crazy. The team mobbed Katrina and hugged each other as Champions!
 
This team has played together for many years with good success but never finishing at the top in the State finals. So to be crowned State Challenge Cup Champions in their final game as an FC Alliance Team brought tremendous joy to all and to our club. Coaches Jose Quiray and Dennis Gunnell especially praised the girls on their ability to play good, skillful, possession soccer, many times connecting 6, 8, and 10 passes together around the athletic Crush. And also praised their determination and grit for not folding up the tent in the face of the 3-0 deficit. Neither coach could think of a time when in such a situation a team had come back from being behind 3-0 in the second half. These girls showed they are winners and never give up, coming back as a team through determination and playing to their strengths.