Crossfire Splits Against De Anza
Chivas USA up Next
Before one of the largest and most festive crowds ever at a Northwest youth soccer event Crossfire Premier split in two matches against Northern California’s De Anza Force. In the opening match the undefeated and first place Crossfire U16 boy’s team efficiently handled the visitors 2-0 while the league leading U18 Crossfire boys squandered an early 1-0 lead to go down in defeat 3-1. It was their first loss of the season.
In front of a loud and enthusiastic crowd the Crossfire U16 boys showed why they are quickly being recognized as the class of the West Coast by taking control of the game from the off. Defenders Jack Ryan, Cody Elley and Andrew Cunningham made it clear that goal opportunities for the Californians would be hard to get by establishing a shut down defense from the opening whistle. On the only chances that De Anza was able to manufacture goalkeeper Dillon Saffle snuffed out any De Anza hope with two consecutive saves. On the offensive side of the field, where most of the game was played, the Crossfire midfield lead by Ben Fisk, Robert Lansche and Charlie Piehler dominated the field of play. Attackers Kelyn Rowe and league leading scorer, Cody Snyder, aggressively attacked the De Anza goal and provided continual pressure. The inevitable first goal came on a cracking shot off a corner kick by an alert Andrew Cunningham, his first score of the season.
In the second half Ronato Bandiera tallied a tidy goal to give Crossfire a 2-0 lead that would remain as the final result. It was the result of a rebound from a blistering Cody Snyder shot that was too hot to handle by the opposing goalie. On the other hand Spencer Richey manned the Crossfire goal in the second half and did not allow any De Anza attempts to be successful.
Crossfire Head Coach Bernie James was pleased with the result, “This was our home opener and the boys handled it well. These boys are a good side that we believe can contend for a national championship. They are strong in all areas and have a few players up front who are really dangerous. These guys will head into the Chivas game next weekend with a great deal of momentum. It will be a good test for us.”
In the second match of the evening a fired up Crossfire side started the game quickly with a series of attacks. Kellan Brown provided a great deal of energy in the middle while forwards Estaban Reyes and Ricky Morales pressured the De Anza goal. Halfway through the half after a strong Crossfire build up Estaban Reyes slammed a ball into the visitor’s goal. Given that De Anza had not had a significant attack up to that point it looked like it would be the start of a relatively easy evening. The tone was quick to change when De Anza took advantage of some confusion in the Crossfire defense and scored on a set play that should have been routinely defended. Up to that point it had been their only chance of the game.
Crossfire was quick to respond on the attack only to be disappointed by missing an open goal shortly thereafter. It proved to be symbolic for the rest of the evening. De Anza took their second chance of the game, also a set piece, and scored on an almost identical play just before half time.
With 45 minutes left in the game Crossfire seemed more than capable of getting a result as they continually pressured the De Anza defense trying to get the evener. Twenty minutes into the half De Anza on one of their only forays past the Crossfire midfield, took advantage of a miscommunication in the Crossfire defense and found themselves open in front of the Crossfire goal. The result was a 3-1 lead for the Northern Californians. Though the Washington boys spent the rest of the game challenging the De Anza goal they were constantly turned away. The game ended in a 3-1 Crossfire defeat.
Crossfire Head Coach Bernie James was philosophical after the game. “This is a 6-time State Champion and they know how to win a game. We had more mistakes on defense this evening than we typically have in a regular season, but to be fair we might have had these type of mistakes in the past and just not have been playing teams that make us pay for them. That is what is great about the Academy League. Everybody you play is a quality side and you cannot afford any mental lapses or let down for any game. That is part of the learning experience.”
“On the one hand you have a real hollow feeling when you out play a team and have such a result. One the other hand, we played against a really great team and controlled most of the game. Usually that will mean a good result. Thanks to our friends in Tacoma we leave the weekend in first place and have a great match against the Chivas coming up next Saturday at Starfire Sports.”
