Capping a fun and skill building soccer season, La Mesa AYSO sends numerous teams, ranging in age from 8 to 18, to compete in various tournaments.
In early November, three upper division teams qualified to compete in the AYSO sectional tournament held in Garden Grove. The Girls Under 16, Girls Under 19, and Boys Under 19 all had outstanding regular season play and were preparing to attend the mid-November tournament when it was unfortunately postponed due to weather.
Unfortunately, only the Boys Under 19 team was ultimately able to attend the rescheduled dates. In fierce competitive play, they won one game and lost two. BU19 Coach Mel Mann called his group “One of the best teams I have ever coached.”
GU19 Coach John Edwards, although disappointed his team was ultimately not able to attend the sectional competition, had nothing but praise for his undefeated team. “I am proud of how my girls have played. Everyone on the team supports each other and works as a unit — that is what has made the difference for us this year.”
In the lower divisions, La Mesa AYSO sent a small army of All Star teams to compete in the Turkey Cup Tournament, held over Thanksgiving weekend in El Cajon. From Under 10 to Under 14, the teams played in multiple competitive matches against other regional teams trying for a first or second place medal.
La Mesa teams placed very well with the Boys Under 10 Team 1 taking a 1st place medal, and the Girls Under 10 Team 1, Boys Under 12, Girls Under 12, and Boys Under 14 teams all taking 2nd place medals. The All Star teams will be playing in additional competitions in December to prepare for the official All Stars Tournament held in early January 2012.
After the end of regular season play, the top one or two teams from each division (grouped by age and gender) compete in the local Tournament of Champions (TOC) which will be held both this and next weekend.
Winners will advance to further play from which final champions can compete in the National tournament in Tennessee. La Mesa AYSO has two teams each from Boys and Girls Under 10 and Under 12, and one team from both Boys and Girls Under 14. La Mesa AYSO will be officially hosting the under 12 teams competitions at the La Mesa Middle School fields.
Best of luck and skill to all teams!
Jay Steiger
PR Coordinator, La Mesa AYSO
