Benicia Arsenal F.C. Girls Gold Team Take 2nd in NorCal State Cup Competition

The Arsenal Football Club’s girls Class I Gold Team took second place in the in NorCal State Cup silver division.  The tournament took place over several weekends beginning in April and concluding May 6..

Arsenal started their quest for the NorCal State Cup on April 14 against the Pacific F.C. Navigators of Lodi California.  Benicia started the game strong and fast with a goal by Baylee Rowley in the first 8 minutes. Once Arsenal scored the goal they took control of the game with strong mid-field play by Michelle Li, Michelle Minnehan, Gabriel Hingley, Kimberly Fiori and Kristina Ruble.  Arsenal was able to preserve the early goal and a 1 – 0 victory to move them into the semi-finals.
The Semi-final match took place on May 5  against Cap FC United from Modesto.  Benicia again came out hard and fast in the match. 

Coach Joshua Bradley said that the first 20 minutes of the game were the best Arsenal has played all season.  Bradley was especially pleased by the way the team was passing the ball and creating space. 

The Arsenal girls grabbed an early 2 – 0 lead and never looked back.  The first goal, by Michelle Li, was a piercing shot from 25 yards out.   Kimberly Fiori scored the second goal off of combination play that created a one-on-one opportunity for Fiori who put the ball in the back of the net. 

After going up 2-0 Benicia’s defense led by Dominique Calloway, Baylee Rowley, Emily Wolfe and Abigail Heuschel took over and controlled the rest of the game.  Cap FC was able to put in a last second goal, but it was too little too late and Arsenal was on their way to the championships the next day.

The AFC 95 girl’s team took their two game win streak into the championship match against Cal Blues Alliance 96.  Cal Blues was Arsenal’s first opponent of the season in July 2011, a match that ended with the Blues winning 7-2.

The final match began with both teams playing cautiously.  In the 20th minute Cal Blues opened the scoring.  The Blues took their 1-0 into the half.

Arsenal scored an equalizer 14 seconds into the second half.  The goal was the product of some great passing between Michelle Li and Kimberly Fiori who took the the kick off  and worked precision combination passes all the way down the field, until Fiori was in front of the goal and put the ball in the back of the net. 

Cal Blues picked up the tempo but Arsenal defense led by goalkeeper Alexa Torres and Dominique Calloway kept the blues from scoring.  The Blues ultimately found the back of the net one more time and held on for the tournament top spot.

Arsenal played the match without 3 starting defensive players and lost top goal scorer Michelle Li early in the second half.  Arsenal still fought and played hard until the last whistle.

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If there’s something in this article you think should be corrected, or if something else is amiss, call editor JB Davis at 707-628-0051 or email him at benicia@patch.com.