United, Dynamo teams get wins
SAN DIEGO — As the Imperial Valley-based San Diego United East Girls ‘99 squad is wrapping up its season, the players wanted to compete in a final tournament together before several athletes move onto college and leave their youth soccer days behind.
With a handful of United East players already preparing for college or otherwise unavailable, the team added several younger sisters on loan from the Dynamo El Centro Soccer program, explained Jim Graham, United head coach and Dynamo coaching director.
The team suited up one week ago to compete in the Notts Forest Memorial Day Cup held at a variety of field here.
“Contrary to how we thought this would play out, this squad ended up being the ‘Dream Team,’” Graham expressed.
The squad, playing under the United East colors, won all their games without relenting a goal and defeated La Jolla Impact 2-0 in the championship game.
The team scored a total of 10 goals and recorded big wins over Coastal Valley Venom of Santa Barbara and the Scottsdale Blackhawks out of Arizona.
The team’s top scorer was recent Southwest High graduate Kaylee Drye with four, followed by fellow Eagle Adriadna Castro and Central Union High’s Karen Oritz with two goals each.
Scoring in the championship game were Southwest High’s Shellsea Dennis and Imperial High’s Caroline Plunkett.
Both goalies, sisters, Krysten Quiroz and Ashley Quiroz of Central Union recorded shutouts in all games.
Co-MVP honors for the tournament were awarded to Plunkett and Ivanna Castro from El Centro.
“It has been our privilege to have coached this wonderful group from wee girls to beautiful young ladies over the course of more than five years,” expressed Graham. “And what a special way to give the seniors a lovely send off.”