Crossfire Wins Evergreen International Tournament
Jul 28, 2002
Burlington, WA - The Crossfire Premier '91 girls U-11 team captured their 4th straight championship today with a 5-1 win over Dosveedanya in the 2002 Evergreen International Tournament final. The title game culminated a string of five wins in the tournament and a total combined goals margin of 31-2.
On opening day the Crossfire squad got out of the gate quickly, scoring in the first 45 seconds enroute to beating SC Eclipse. Eclipse briefly made it 1-1, demonstrating some impressive speed at their forward positions, before Crossfire took command. Crossfire got stronger as the game went on and ended up scoring with six different players in the game, including two players who each got 'hat tricks.' Several goals were set up with great assists.
On Friday, Crossfire defeated a tough Dosveedanya squad 2-0. Both Crossfire goals came after repeated shots - with one scored in each half. Crossfire got things cranked up again on Saturday, beating Emerald City Green 6-0, with four different girls scoring in the contest. The victory put Crossfire into the semi-finals on Sunday.
Crossfire started the day off with the FC Silverlake squad, cruising to a 6-0 win, this time with five different girls scoring. After a team lunch indoors at a local mall, and a brief opportunity to get their clothes dried out, Crossfire returned for a rematch against the excellent Dosveedanya team from Kent.
Crossfire came out loose, relaxed and ready to play some serious soccer. The play was intense, on both sides, and at the 4-minute mark Crossfire got their first opportunity to score and capitalized on it. Leading 1-0 early in the contest, Crossfire soon got their next chance to score, and capitalized on that one as well. Crossfire continued the pressure and secured two more to take a 4-0 lead into the half. Throughout the contest Crossfire demonstrated superb passing to space as well as crosses to set up the strikes. Dos scored their only goal of the contest shortly before the first half was over. Both teams continued their intense play in the second half, and Crossfire managed one more goal to make it 5-1.
After a brief awards ceremony for both teams at midfield, many of the team were able to rendezvous later in Seattle to attend the first ever game in the new Seahawks stadium. They also got to spend some time on the field with Coach Dick between the games. Both the women's and men's teams won (the women in overtime), capping off quite a memorable day and long weekend.
In four tournaments this season, Crossfire has earned a 20-0 record with a combined goals margin of 107-12. More importantly, they are transferring skills learned in Coach Dick McCormick's practices to the game field.Portland Cup Belongs To Crossfire
Jul 07, 2002
Hillsboro, OR - Crossfire Premier '91 McCormick continued their victory crusade through the best of the Northwest's tournaments this season by beating all opponents enroute to the championship of the GU11 2002 Portland Cup. In five games they amassed a combined goals margin of 34-3. They displayed some balanced firepower this weekend, with 13 different girls scoring in just five games played.
They got things started early, with an 8:00am game July 5th against Willamette United Avalanche, winning with 9 different girls scoring. In the afternoon game (a prelude to the championship) - one that was a 'no count' for tournament points, Crossfire surprised an excellent FC Vancouver Liberty team 4-1. Three different Crossfire girls scored. The Vancouver club came into this game undefeated with a year to date record of 21-0-1. Crossfire took command early in the contest, and cruised into the half with a 2-0 lead. Crossfire scored two more in the 2nd half, and held the 4-0 lead until the last 10 seconds of the game.
On Saturday, Crossfire woke up early again and cruised to a 6-2 victory against the tournament host FC Portland Jade squad. It was the second 8:00am game in as many days but did not seem to adversely affect this talented, energetic, fun-loving and determined group of girls. Like the afternoon before, but with a different cast of characters, three different Crossfire girls scored.
Crossfire breezed into the championship game later that day (in near 90 degree weather) by defeating Oswego Dynasty White 6-0. What is memorable about this game is the fact that six different Crossfire players scored in the win.
At 2:00pm Sunday, July 7, Crossfire met the great FC Vancouver Liberty squad in a rematch - this time for the tournament championship. Crossfire cruised to their third straight championship, winning this one 3-0, again with three different girls scoring. After repeated attempts, Crossfire successfully connected on their first goal about mid-way through the opening half. They carried this 1-0 lead into the 2nd half. Vancouver's stingy defense held until about mid-way through the final half, when the repeated strikes by Crossfire finally paid off. Crossfire scored two goals within a two minute period, the last one coming on a beautiful combination corner kick set up, back to corner kicker, then to front of goal for a strong shot and goal that made it 3-0.
Crossfire was later presented with a team trophy and individual medals for their first place finish. The team wishes to thank the tournament directors, the Portland area businesses, and the competition for the great tournament experience.