Thursday, March 28, 2024

A Day Just Made for Middle School Soccer in the Western States


Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Both of our grandsons had middle school soccer games today but, obviously, we could only attend one of them.

Kevin's Canarelli M.S. Colts played two games this week.

The Colts, who play a 14 game schedule in Las Vegas, are still getting their bearings in Week #2 of their season.

Kevin wearing #4 in white

On Monday, the Colts were on the road where they battled the Cashman M.S. Cougars to a 7-7 tie. The Canarelli squad was now sporting a record of 2-0-1 after the Cashman game.

Today, the Colts were traveling again to face another the tough team, the Garside Junior High School Gladiators. The Colts fought hard but the Gladiators were simply too much as they handed Canarelli a 7-4 loss. Going into the Easter Week break, the Colts are now 2-1-1.

Word had it that Kevin was still having a lot of fun playing for the Colts this week.

Instead of driving to Las Vegas, Laurie and I opted to stay a bit closer to home as we headed to Ventura for Jacob's game.

First though, we just had to stop
on "The Avenue" for a late lunch
 
Vanessa had highly recommended the
Taqueria Ventura Doña Raquel located
near her elementary school

She is the Principal of that school on "The Avenue" which is located just a few blocks from the Taqueria Venura Doña Raquel. Vanessa has had food brought in from this fine dining/hole-in-the-wall spot this school year with delicious results.

The Torta Cubana, Shrimp Taco and horchatas that we ordered were all OUTSTANDING!

Great call Vanessa, GRACIAS!

On to the game . . .

Ventura's Cabrillo Middle School,
the Home of the Mariners, was
only five minutes from the taqueria

Jacob's Las Colinas M.S. Mustangs (3-2) were playing their last game of the regular season. They had defeated the Mariners, 2-0 at home just last week.

The Ventura schools all seem to
have colorful murals sprucing
up their various campuses . . .

. . . Cabrillo M.S. was no exception

I especially liked the columns decorated as good, old fashioned yellow school pencils.

The Mustangs opened the game in a hole. Neither of their two goalies made the trip to Ventura. It was time to improvise as our always calm coach just plugged in an emergency replacement to guard the net.

Jacob, #51, chasing down a loose ball . . .

. . . he got to it first

This Mariner ricocheted Jacob's pass

Two players strolling up the pitch
with the ball far away . . .

. . . but it would soon become
a bone of contention for them

Jacob prevailed and . . .

. . . drove the ball . . .

. . . far up . . .

. . . our sideline

At the Half, it was 1-0 in favor of our Mustangs thanks to a goal in the first two minutes of the game.

Another chance for conflict

This Mariner got the ball past
Jacob's ballet-like attempted
"Skate Save"

Las Colinas' relief goalie played a whale of a game. His teammates assisted him on Defense magnificently throughout the contest.

The Mustangs held on to beat the Mariners, 1-0

The Mustangs finished the regular season with a 4-2 record, good for second place in their four school circuit.

Las Colinas Middle School Soccer
2024 Regular Season Results
4 Wins - 2 Losses
vs. De Anza Navigators Lost 0-1
at Nordhoff Rangers Won 4-0
vs. Cabrillo Mariners Won 2-0
at De Anza Navigators Lost 0-2
vs. Nordhoff Rangers Won 3-1
at Cabrillo Mariners Won 1-0

After the Easter Week break, there will be a Championship Game between the league's two best teams as well as a Third Place game between the conference's last two clubs.

The date for these two contests has been set for Thursday, April 11th but the times and sites have yet to be announced.

Cabrillo and Nordhoff will square off in the Third Place game.

That means that the Mustangs will play the De Anza Navigators again, this time in the Championship Game, and most likely in Ventura.

Third time's the charm, right? 

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