It was a double victory for Bainbridge at this year’s Viking Cup youth soccer tournament in Poulsbo. Both Bainbridge Island Youth Soccer Club teams claimed championships – the 24th annual – in the girls’ under-12 age bracket, and all within an hour-and-a-half of one another.
First off was the GU-12 Azzurri coached by Ben Pecora. The team won its championship match 1-0 on a second-half goal by Katherine Pecora. It was her sixth tally of the tournament.
The match followed the team’s semifinal played early that morning. Azzurri was the only team in the tournament to play two matches in a day – twice – logging four matches in under three total days.
“There’s a lot to be said for finishing first in the group. We had a brutal schedule – so winning the group allowed us some time off on Sunday and gave the girls a little rest,” said Pecora.
The Azzurri made its championship run over four matches without allowing a single goal and posting an unheard of +16 goal differential.
Others scoring for the side included Libby Gangnes, Celia Story and Deahna King, who all had two goals, while Kelly Coffyn, Katie Keller, Jessica Jelcick and Paige Brigham each scored once.
“This was a great tournament for us,” said Pecora. “The girls are learning to really play the game and are having a great deal of fun – plus they had to overcome some adverse weather, committed opponents and a roster featuring new teammates. We’re really proud of them.”
En route to the finale, the Azzurri tied Crossfire 0-0; crushed Shorelake 7-0, then again 8-0 in the semifinals, then beat Crossfire again 1-0 to claim their second tournament victory in their past four entered.
Making a great day even better was the effort turned in by the Bainbridge “White Ice” team, coached by D’Arcy Brigham.
Following a tense semi-final shootout win, the Ice followed a 0-0 regulation with two scoreless overtime periods then another shootout to capture their own bracket championship.
The winning penalty kick came off the foot of Brooke Brigham, sister of the Azzurri’s Paige and daughter of her own coach.
It is widely believed that this is the first time two teams from the same club in the same age group have claimed separate titles at Viking Cup.
“What’s happening here at this age group speaks well toward the commitment of the kids and their families,” said Pecora. “Our community should be very proud of the character these girls showed.”
– With information supplied by Ben Pecora
Have your kids learn some golf
The Meadowmeer Golf and Country Club is holding three different junior golf clinics during the summer for all kids six years old and up.
The clinics run from June 23-27, July 7-11 and July 21-25.
There will be two sessions, a beginner one from 1 to 3 p.m. and a intermediate session from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Each session is limited to 25 students for a teacher-student ratio of 8:1.
The clinic director is a LPGA teaching professional who has worked with many junior golfers for many years through the Northwest and Southwest.
Two college-age golfers will assist her.
Lessons will include going over fundamentals, how to grip a club, his stance, golf etiquette and rules.
Students will also go over the short game and spend two days at the driving rage working on their swing and ball flight.
On the last day of the clinic students get to play the course and work on course management.
The cost is $139 and pays for all lessons, range balls, green fees and a mini-round of golf on the last day.
Those who wish to sign up can call the pro shop at 842-2218.
Islander earns lacrosse honors
Erik Elmquist, a 5-9, 170-pound freshman long-stick middle from Bainbridge Island was recently named to the All-Southeastern Lacrosse Conference Division II team.
Elmquist was a first-team choice and also received the conference’s Tom Lewis Award which goes to the Specialty Player of the Year.
In addition to the conference awards, Elmquist was also named to the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association’s All-America academic team and to the MCLA’s All-America Division II team. Elmquist was a first-team selection.
Elmquist had 12 goals and added an assist for 13 points this season. He also leads the Bees with 101 ground balls and won 80 percent of the faceoffs that he took in 2008.
Elmquist, who hasn’t declared a major, has a 3.50 cumulative grade point average.
The Bees, who ended the season ranked 11th in the latest Lax World MCLA Division II Top 25 poll, went 8-5 this season and advanced to the semifinals of the SELC Division II Tournament.
– With information supplied by the SCAD SID
Bainbridge little league
PIRATES 12 ATHLETICS 10
Jack Kramer of the AAA Pirates homered and for the second straight game Pirates catcher Isaac Holloway recorded the final out when he nailed a runner attempting to steal second base.
PIRATES 11 DODGERS 8
Seiji Alpaugh, Ryan Holt and David Kimmerlein of the AAA Pirates each scored three times as the Pirates won their sixth straight game. Murphy Sullivan of the Dodgers took the mound for the first time and also had a single in the game.
Ian Allen was tough, catching for three innings and also getting a base hit for the Dodgers. Grayson Woolever of the Pirates got the save making a tough catch at the mound to get the final out of the game.
