Ajax Schmajax!

The Stampede beat the Modesto Ajax 1-0 in another nail biter last Saturday at Davis Play Fields Park. The match's only goal came with ten minutes to go when Davis striker Mattie Eaton sent a perfectly placed through-ball ahead of right wing Allie Belafsky who sent it far post for the game winner. Davis keeper Alex Hanna secured the lead after making several tough saves as the clock ran out.

Stampede beat FC Elk Grove and tie Sac United

Continuing Norcal fall league play, the Stampede eked out a 1-0 win against league leading FC Elk Grove last Friday.  The goal came late in the second half when Jordan Davis whipped in a cross from the right flank.  Striker Ainsley Caroll tapped it to a charging Allie Belafsky for the finish.  Saturday's defensive battle against Sac United ended 0-0.

10/23/13: Davis gets a win and a tie in league play

The Stampede logged a win and tie over the weekend as they faced Placer United and Loomis respectively in Norcal fall league play.  Davis' Sophie Karperos set the stage Saturday with her relentless defense as she stonewalled every attempt by Placer to penetrate the locals' back line. Stampede strikers Ainsley Carrol and Jordan Davis got two goals each to make it 4-0 at the half. After getting hammered in the box, Stampede midfielder Lily Byrne converted the penalty to make it 5-0.  Despite a late goal by Placer, Davis striker Mattie Eaton hustled to beat the defense to the ball to end the game 6-1.

Sunday's hard fought stalemate again featured solid Stampede defense, this time starring the ever speedy and composed Yasmeen Dmeiri who repeatedly frustrated Loomis' entire front line. Down most of the game 0-1, J. Davis served a through ball to striker Allie Belafsy who was able to outrun the defense and the keeper to tap in the equalizer.

10/12/13: Stampede strum Strykers' pain

Davis shutout the Elk Grove Strykers 5-0 last Sunday as they continue their impressive Norcal fall season.  The first two goals resulted from aggressive follow on put-aways by Ainsley Carrol and Mattie Eaton after initial shots by Jordan Davis and Vanessa Carrazco proved too powerful for the keeper to hold onto.  McKenna Luztker got two assists, first while playing keeper when she punted a bounding ball to J Davis who controlled and placed it far post, and second from the right wing as she found Allie Belafsky who knocked in from the six. Yasmeen Dmeiri rounded out the offensive display by scoring on a free kick from 30 yards out.

10/4/13: An impressive come-from-behind win

The Stampede overcame an early deficit to beat Woodland Saturday 5-2 at the Woodland Community Center fields. The locals drew first blood as Ainsley Carrol scored off a keeper ricochet.   However, the northern rivals struck back twice in short order putting the Stampede behind 2-1 at the half. Jordan Davis converted a breakaway on an assist from Anne Ayotte as the second half began to even the score. Later she assisted Allie Belafsky with a long throw in who tapped it in from the six for the go-ahead tally. Lily Byrne then assisted J Davis with a through ball and Davis put the moves on the keeper for another conversion, 4-2. Finally, Byrne found Carrol at the 18 who placed it far post for the fifth and final tally. Despite physical play (and lots of bruises), the Stampede held their own to gain the victory.

9/29/13: Stampede fight to get two out of three

The locals won two and lost one last weekend at the Davis Legacy Premier Cup.  In game 1 against Elk Grove, the Stampede could not find a way to score despite a few chances, dropping the opener 1-0.  In game 2, they came back fighting with a last minute, come-from-behind, 2-1 win against the  Clovis Amazons.  Late in the second half, Yasmeen Dmeiri whipped in a cross to J Davis who volleyed in it from the 6 to tie it up.  Then, in a frenzied scrum in the final seconds, Lily Byrne was able to stab the ball past the line amid a flurry of ricochets, securing the much needed win.  Sunday morning gave the locals a chance to breathe easy as they pounded the USA Stars '03 team 5-0.  Intercepting balls left and right, Ayotte scored first from the 18.  J Davis continued with a dribble drive to the net to make it 2-0 and followed with another tally at close range off an assist from Ainsley Carrol to make it 3-0  Grace Barger found Allie Belafsky for the 4th goal and Carrol then got her own goal to finish the game 5-0.  Dmeiri's notable defensive play against some very physical players over the weekend was impressive.

9/26/13: An early and unexplained ending to entertaining see-saw battle

A windy Thursday evening set the stage for a Davis-Woodland match-up that proved to be as bizarre as it was entertaining.  Down 1-0 early, Lily Byrne set up Jordan Davis with a through ball who sent it past the keeper to even the score.  Byrne then connected with Anne Ayotte who buried it far post to make it 2-1.  Woodland countered with two more goals, putting them up 3-2 at the half.  After intermission, Lindsey Vernau cracked in a bouncing ball from 18 for the equalizer.  As the game became more physical, J. Davis lunged to beat the Woodland defenders to a ball heading toward the opponent's box and ahead of the diving keeper, tapping it past for the the go ahead goal.  With nearly 15 minutes left to play, the Woodland coach then suddenly pulled his players from the field to force an apparent forfeit.  Final official results are pending league review.

9/22/13: Stampede dominate Cal Cougars

Three successful breakaways and an outside blast gave the locals a 4-1 win over the Cal Cougars on a soggy Saturday at the Davis Legacy Soccer Complex.  Skye Shaffer started things off with an outside shot that hydroplaned past the diving keeper.  Three more goals came from Jordan Davis, Allie Belafsky and Vanessa Carrazco, as each striker finished strong on breakaways. Tough defense from Sophie Karperos, Lindsey Vernau and Yasmeen Dmeiri sealed the deal.

9/15/13: Agony over the weekend

The Stampede suffered two tough losses over the weekend, falling first to Modesto in league play on Saturday and then to BOCA in Sunday's State Cup match.  Saturday's see-saw battle started with Modesto up 2-0, but the locals clawed their way back to a 3-2 lead in the second half, only to eventually fall 4-3 as the Ajax countered with the equalizer and then the game winner.  Ainsley Carrol scored for the locals on a breakaway.  Then Grace Barger drilled in a screaming rope from 30 yards, a first-touch wallop off a short corner. Barger assisted the final goal as Jordan Davis chested in the set piece as she charged the net.

Sunday saw the Stampede dominating both ball possession and shots on goal, but the locals could only manage one tally as J Davis scored off a Lily Byrne assist.  Boca then converted its only two opportunities on through-ball breakaways giving the visitors the win.

9/7/13: Stampede start fall season sizzling

The Davis Legacy Stampede opened the fall Norcal season last Saturday at the Davis Legacy Soccer Complex with a 6-1 rout over Sac United. The scoring started midway through the first half when Jordan Davis volleyed in Anne Ayotte's corner. Ayotte later scored from the opposite side of the box, making it 2-0. In the second half, McKenna Lutzker fed J. Davis a through ball which Davis finished for goal number 3. Sacramento was able to get on the board with a tally, but the locals kept the offensive pressure up as Sky Shaffer drilled in a fourth goal from 18. Lutzker and fellow forward Mattie combined to knock in yet another goal as the ball got away from the the Sacramento keeper at the 6. Grace Barger then sent a long through ball to Vanessa Carrasco, who finished for the sixth and final goal.

7/13/13: Stampede 1-1-1 in DLSC College Showcase

The Stampede got a win (vs. Stars 03), a tie (vs. FC Elk Grove) and loss (vs. SR Earthquakes) in July's College Showcase hosted by the Davis Legacy.

6/22/13: Stampede make semis in playoffs

The Stampede made it to the semi-final in the US Club Regional Playoffs held at Granite Park in Sacramento.  Game 1 matched the locals against long-time rival Modesto Ajax.  Despite an early Ajax goal on a free kick, the Stampede came right back as Jordan Davis tapped in Anne Ayotte's corner at close range making it 1-1.  The Ajax went up 2-1 in the second half on a 30-yard blast, but in the final minutes Davis set up Lily Byrne who beat a defender for the equalizer, ending the game 2-2.  In stark contrast to the morning's even contest, the afternoon opponent was no match for the locals as they beat the Bay Oaks Bombers 7-0. Davis got the first tally on an assist from Byrne, and then Grace Barger set up consecutive goals by the streaking Alex Hanna, making it 3-0.  Sydney Moore continued the damage as she scored from outside the 18.  Vanessa Carrazco joined the fun as she poked in another ball inside the six.  Skye Shaffer got the last two goals. The first came after she weaved past several defenders from midfield to the box and finished with a blast into the far corner.  The last was on a dummy header by Barger which left Shaffer open in from of the goal to complete the 7-0 rout.  The Stampede faced the physical Juventus Ragazze Sunday morning but could not find a way to score. Despite very tough defense by Emily Speakman, Grace Carlson and Yasmeen Dmeiri, the locals ended the tournament with a 2-0 loss.

6/8/13: Close but no cigar in cross regionals

The Stampede met the formidable De Anza Force in the NorCal Cross Regional finals held at the DL Soccer Complex.  Despite an early goal by Jordan Davis on an assist from Grace Barger, the Force came back strong to score three straight, making it 3-1 at the half. In true Stampede fashion, however, the locals were able to even the contest on two set pieces.  The first was a Beckham-like blast from 20 by Yasmeen Dmeiri and the second came on a 30-yard free kick from Lindsey Vernau.  Then, on a questionable call from the referee in overtime, De Anza was awarded and converted a final free kick in overtime sending the Stampede home early.

6/1/13: Stampede finish spring league strong, beating Loomis 1-0

The Stampede beat Loomis 1-0 as Grace Barger knocked in the final goal of the regular spring season.

5/26/13: Stampede Win Santa Cruz Breakers Memorial Day Shootout

The Stampede showcased their dominant defensive and offensive prowess over the holiday weekend as they took first place in the Santa Cruz Breakers Memorial Day Shootout.  Led by their defense, especially keepers McKenna Lutzker and Alex Hanna and backs Skye Shaffer, Sophia Karperos and Yasmeen Dmeiri, the locals allowed only one goal in four games while scoring 12.  A true team tournament victory, Grace Barger, Sydney Moore, Emily Speakman and Grace Carlson solidified the impenetrable defensive barrier while adding their own spurts of offensive power.  The Stampede kicked things off Saturday morning with a 3-0 shutout over Central Marin but, despite an onslaught of shots, goals didn't materialize until the last ten minutes when Lily Byrne scored two and Jordan Davis tallied one.  The Stampede continued that afternoon with another shutout against Evergreen United. The first goal was a beautiful combo from Anne Ayotte to J. Davis to Vanessa Carrasco.  J. Davis then set up forward Ainsley Carrol for the second.  Allie Belafsky got the final tally as her right wing blast made it through several players and the keeper.  Game 3 on Sunday morning featured three more goals as the locals faced the Alpine Strikers.  J. Davis began the scoring on a through ball from Sophia Karperos.  The Blah bounced back, converting a penalty to make it 1-1, but Yasmeen Dmeiri then powered in a free kick from 30 yards out.  Carrasco made it 3-1 on an assist from Byrne.  The Stampede continued their dominance in the finale against the San Jose Dynamo with yet another 3-0 shutout.  Carrol struck first on an assist from J. Davis who in turn scored on an assist from Ayotte.  Byrne ended the day by sending her corner kick unassisted into the net

Congratulations, team!

5/18/13: Stampede sneak by Placer United

Stampede keeper McKenna Lutzker led a tough defensive fight with multiple saves on close range shots as the locals eked out this 1-0 win.  The game's only goal came from Stampede defender Yasmeen Dmeiri when she blasted a 40 free kick into the top of the frame.

5/9/13: Stampede shut out Sac United

This Thursday evening match up resulted in a home team shutout as the locals beat Sac United 2-0.  Anne Ayotte drove in an early tally on a free kick from 30 yards out and Jordan Davis followed with a goal from a the left wing, bouncing it off the crossbar and in.

5/5/13: Stampede take the silver at the Super Clásico

The Stampede took second place in the Davis Legacy's Super Clásico tournament held last week at the Davis Legacy Soccer Complex.  The locals were challenged early as they faced the USA Stars in game 1, the region's toughest U12 girls squad.  Down 2-0 at the half, Stampede forward Allie Belafsky got the locals to within one with a powerful blast from the right wing, but that was as close as they came, as they lost 4-1.  However, in true Stampede fashion, the locals bounced back that afternoon to beat a formidable Loomis team 3-0 courtesy of Jordan Davis' hat trick on assists from Lily Byrne and Sydney Moore.  The Stampede continued to roll Sunday morning, defeating Woodland 4-0.  Byrne started things off with a goal from the 18.  Davis tallied two more goals on assists from Moore and Yasmeen Dmeiri.  After getting hacked in the box late in the game, Byrne buried a penalty to make it 4-0 .  Tough defense from Grace Barger and Lindsey Vernau helped to secure the shutout.  The Stampede's wins and goal differential sent them to the championship match Sunday afternoon to once again face the USA Stars.  Down 3-0 early in the second half, Davis found space at the 18 to drive in a goal over the keeper's head.  But the Stars answered quickly making it 4-1.  The locals would not give up as Byrne beat the keeper to the ball on Lindsey Vernau's free kick, making it 4-2.  Soon after, Belafsky was fouled in the box on a breakaway and Byrne made her second penalty of the day, bringing the locals within a goal before time expired, with the final score of 4-3.  Key defense by Skye Shaffer, Sophie Karperos, Sydney Moore and keeper McKenna Lutzker held the Stars at bay for the rest of the match.

4/28/13: Two out of three three ain't bad!

The Stampede chalked up 13 goals over the weekend as they logged two impressive wins and a very narrow loss.  The locals started off strong Friday evening as they shut out the Fair Oaks Freedom 4-0.  Jordan Davis scored two while Sophie Karperos added a goal on Yasmeen Dmeiri's corner and later assisted Ainsley Carroll for the fourth and final goal.  The Stampede were even more dominant Sunday morning, crushing the Cal Blues 8-0.  Davis scored two more in the match as did Vanessa Carrasco. Dmeiri, Anne Ayotte and Mckenna Lutzker had one each and a Cal Cougar own goal added insult to injury to complete the rout.  Lily Byrne had two assists while Skye Shaffer and Davis added one each.  The locals faced a tough Modesto Ajax team Sunday afternoon but lost 2-1 in a hard fought and heated match.  Although they were up 1-0 at the half after Alex Hanna scored on an assist from Ayotte, the locals could not prevent two second half tallies by the opponent.  Karperos, Shaffer and Grace Carlson led a spirited defensive battle throughout the contest.

4/21/13: Stampede over Cougars

The locals beat the Cal Cougars 3-0 in today's windy matchup at the Davis Legacy Soccer Complex.  With a 1-0 lead at the half on Jordan Davis' early goal, the Stampede were able to get two more in the second half, first from Ainsley Carroll on an assist from Yasmeen Dmeiri and then Davis scored her second on an assist from Lily Byrne.  Tough team defense did the rest to secure the shutout.

4/14/13: Stampede open the 2013 spring season with a split

The Stampede opened the Norcal spring season by splitting games last weekend. After falling to Elk Grove, 3-0, on Friday, the locals came back with a vengeance on Saturday morning, dominating BOCA, 8-1.  With Jordan Davis opening the Stampede scoring on a close range header, the contest was tied 1-1 at the half.  But the locals organized a crushing onslaught of offensive power after the break, scoring seven straight goals.  In the barrage, Davis tallied twice to complete a hat trick, Anne Ayotte had two goals, and single tallies came from Ainsley Carroll, Grace Barger and Allie Belafsky.

2/28/13: New U12 Stampede squad ready for 2013

With a larger roster (16) and larger fields (11 v 11 format), the stage is set for the 2013 Norcal Premier season.   Spring season play begins April 12th.

2/10/13: Stampede 11th overall in Norcal State Cup Finals

The Stampede ended the 2012-13 year strong this past weekend finishing 3rd in their bracket and 11th overall in the Norcal State Cup finals.  In Saturday's semi-final they faced the Mustang Legends of Danville but could not find an answer to the opponent's onslaught of goals accompanied by a dominant possession of the ball.  Late in the first half, Jordan Davis scored at close range on a cross from Anne Ayotte to make it 3-1.  Down 5-1 late in the game, Yasmeen Dmeiri converted a penalty for the a second goal but it wasn't enough as the Stampede lost 6-2.  The girls bounced back tough for the 3rd place match on Sunday as they walloped the ACC Mavericks Dynamite 6-0 to secure the bronze.  Ayotte was able to convert a free kick late in the first half making it 1-0 but it was the second half where the locals really turned on the heat.  The barrage began as Lily Byrne put the moves on several defenders and drove in goal number two.  Byrne then found Grace Barger at the 18 who blasted in goal number three.  Ayotte and Dmeiri banged home the next two goals from inside the box as the Stampede continued to pass and create opportunities.  The final goal came on an assist from Stampede keeper McKenna Lutzker as she punted the ball into the opponent's penalty area while Jordan Davis raced the opposing keeper and tapped the bounding ball into the net.  A true team win it was.  Adeline Umphress, Kaitlyn McElhern and Alex Hanna wore out the opponent with plenty of well-timed offensive runs.  Support came from Sydney Moore, Grace Carlson and Emily Speakman just when the team needed it.  And ferocious defense by Sophia Karperos and Skye Shaffer left the frustrated Maverick offense teary-eyed.   

What a performance.  What a year.  Congratulations, Stampede!

01/28/13: Stampede advance in State Cup

The Stampede will try to prove they are among Northern California's top ten U11 girls teams on Feb 9-10 as they head to the final rounds of the Norcal State Cup.  Last Sunday's quarter final win against Danville's Mustang Blast secured their place in the 9-16 bracket for the final rounds.  During Saturday's qualifying rounds, the locals rallied in game 1 to score five straight goals and beat COSC Odyssey 5 -2 after being down 0-2 in the second half.  Yasmeen Dmeiri's free kick found Anne Ayotte who scored the first goal with only 20 minutes to go.  Grace Barger then sent in a cross to Lily Byrne who knocked in the equalizer.  A similar close range goal came from Jordan Davis a few minutes later to make it 3-2.  Byrne then sped past the Odyssey defense to tap in the fourth tally just ahead of the oncoming keeper after a long goal kick by Dmeiri.  Sophie Karperos orchestrated a fifth attempt after charging the defenders which sent the ball to a perfectly positioned Kaitlyn McElhern who finished for the fifth and final goal.  Game 2 matched Davis against top ranked Modesto.  Despite scoring first on a penalty by Ayotte and a later goal by Jordan Davis, Modesto booked the victory 4-2 sending the Stampede into the second bracket for the quarter final round against Danville, whom they edged 2-1.  Ayotte scored the first half goal on a free kick and Grace Carlson netted the winning goal securing a semi-final berth for the Stampede.