The Cypress AYSO 154 8-U boys’ soccer team entered the 26thannual Long Beach Mayor’s Cup as an underdog – the team had not previously played together.
Perhaps it should continue playing together.
From Jan. 5-6, these local boys impressed and surprised as the competition at Whaley Park in Long Beach as they went 3-1 overall and eventually finished as the runner-up in their division.
The Cypress AYSO 154 8-U boys’ soccer team entered the 26thannual Long Beach Mayor’s Cup as an underdog – the team had not previously played together.
Perhaps it should continue playing together.
From Jan. 5-6, these local boys impressed and surprised as the competition at Whaley Park in Long Beach as they went 3-1 overall and eventually finished as the runner-up in their division.
“Considering we only had two weeks together, they played fantastic,” Cypress AYSO 154 head coach Christian Harris said. “You can’t do much better than reaching the championship game.”
In the opening game of the tourney, Cypress delivered an impressive showing, topping the Samurai Tigers. Brian Yeo, the leading scorer for the tourney, kicked a pair of goals in that contest.
Cypress returned to action later that afternoon against a team called Aaron/Oscar (on the schedule), which it bested with a 2-1 victory.
In the semifinal round, Cypress played solid defense, with Jake Harris at center fullback, to shut out the Blazers, 2-0, in order to reach the championship round.
In the final round, the boys came up short but put up a valiant effort as they lost 3-0 to Beach FC White.
The Cypress AYSO 154 8-U team featured 11 players: Tyler Ngo, Connor Hamilton, Bobby Zhong, Brayden Beu, Kyle Townsend, Austin Cruz, Abraham Saleh, Cade Hamilton, Harris, James Soto, Yeo and Harris. It was also coached by assistant David Zheng.
Three players rotated at goalie. Kyle Townsend started but twins Connor and Cade Hamilton also saw playing time in front of the net. All three players also scored during the tourney.
Additionally, Austin Cruz ended with a pair of goals.
Though most of the boys on the team had played together in the past, it added three new players and didn’t have much time to practice due to the weather.
The team has no additional scheduled games or tournaments, but Harris believes it will return to action soon.
“We are looking at other tournaments in the future,” he said.