The Petaluma Pink Panthers girls under-16 soccer team narrowly missed becoming the top recreation (Division 4) team in Northern California, losing in a tightly contested Founders championship game, 1-0, to the East Diablo Aresenal last Sunday in blustery Ripon.
The loss capped an otherwise perfect showing in the 2010-2011 Founders Cup, as the Pink Panthers swept all five games leading up to the championship game, amassing a total of 21 goals while giving up none.
The Pink Panthers earned automatic entry into this year's Founders Cup by going undefeated in their regular season and winning the under-16 girls California Youth Soccer Association District 5 championship.
"Our offense received contributions from everyone, with seven different girls scoring goals in our first game, and our defense - the anchor of our team all year - really shut the other teams down," said coach Bob Merwin.
The Pink Panthers' offense was led by Shannon Gearing and Danielle McGee on attack, and Ashley Robutz, Brianna Ward and Melanie McKissick at mid-attack.
The Panthers' defense was anchored by a backline of Courteney Harvey, Robin Ashley and Tonita Barajas, mid-fielders Leah Falsetto and Jessie Balestrieri, and goalie Jacie Merwin. Courtney Accurso played both mid-attack and mid-defense for the Pink Panthers, who played the championship game with only one substitute.
Jennifer Scannel, the Pink Panthers' right striker, missed the championship due to a fractured ankle.
The final score in the championship game was even closer than it seemed, as the Pink Panthers appeared to score late in the first half with a shot on goal from McKissick that hit the crossbar and appeared to breach the goal before the opposing goalie could get to the ball. But the apparent goal was waived off by the official.
A few minutes later, sweeper Harvey made a goal-saving play at the other end to keep the score deadlocked at halftime, 0-0.
East Diablo scored early in the second half, and managed to hang on, as the Pink Panthers, playing with strong, gusty winds at their back in the first half, battled strong head winds, rain and fatigue in the second half.
Robutz made a heads up, goal-saving stop directly in front of the Pink Pantherrs' goal, keeping the them within striking distance, but even with several late-scoring opportunities, they just were not able to get the equalizer before time ran out.
Leading up to the championship game, McGee scored three goals to help the Pink Panthers beat the Pleasanton Eclipse in the quarterfinal game, 7-0, while Gearing scored twice to beat Fremont, 2-0, in the semifinals.
Merwin, who was not scored upon throughout the tournament, made several strong saves in the goal under very slippery and wet conditions.
Robutz played well throughout the tournament, making plays on both sides of the ball, as did McKissick, who scored and distributed the ball well and played solidly in the goal when called upon.
On the road to the Founders Cup, the Pink Panthers took first place in Petaluma's Harvest Moon Tournament and second place in Sacramento's Kick it Tournament, losing in the championship game again by one goal.
This was the second year in a row that the Pink Panthers won the District 5 championship.
"It's exciting to see the girls play together so well," said Mervin. "We had nine new girls on the team this year, and yet the team was able to carry on its success and even improve upon it. What's most impressive to me is that it's not just one or two girls who carry the team, but all contribute at a very high level."
Merwin was named the Petaluma Youth Soccer League coach of the Year for 2010.
"It's all about surrounding yourself with good players and great assistant coaches," Merwin added.
He was assisted the last two years by Philip Sorensen and Gary Harvey.
Melanie Rosa, Hailey Klemenok, Katie Estheimer, Monique Spikes and Isela Barker all contributed to the regular- season accomplishments of the team, but were unable to participate in the Founders Cup.
"All in all it was a great season," said Merwin. "One more win sure would have been nice, but Phil, Gary and I could not be prouder of what the girls accomplished."
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