The Davis Legacy Stampede are the Davis Super Clásico tournament champions for the second consecutive year, winning five straight to grab the title.
The locals started off the qualifying round Friday evening by defeating Oakland's Bay Oaks 1-0 after Grace Carlson knocked in a goal from 18. They continued Saturday morning, shutting out the Boise Idaho Rush 2-0 when Lily Byrne threaded the defense to make it 1-0 and Niya Allen sneaked in a near post grounder to seal the win. The Stampede's confidence, offensive power and defensive gallantry rose to top form Saturday afternoon as they defeated Northern California's second ranked Elk Grove, 3-1. Down 0-1 early, Allen drilled in a 30-yard equalizer from the left wing to end the first half. After intermission, Jordan Davis sent a through ball to Talyssa Tucker who beat two defenders in a foot race to make it 2-1. Byrne then got walloped as she headed the ball over a charging keeper, but Davis was there to bang it into the open net for the third and final goal. Without missing a beat, the Stampede came back with even more energy and resolve for Sunday morning's semi-final test against Northern California's top-ranked USA Stars. Still 0-0 at the start of the second half, Anne Ayotte found space on the left wing and blasted a 25-yard towering drive over the keeper's outstretched arms to put the locals up 1-0. When a late equalizer from the Stars sent the game to penalty kicks, Stampede keeper McKenna Lutzker stepped up to make two seemingly impossible saves and willed a third to ricochet off the side post while three decisive shots from Allie Belafsky, Leah Eccles, and Yasmeen Dmeiri secured the win and a trip to the finals.
While less dramatic, the final was no less thrilling as the Stampede shut out San Juan 3-0. The locals wasted no time as Dmeiri scored minutes after kickoff on a cross from Sophie Karperos. Karperos then netted the final two goals. The first came when the opposing keeper found herself some 30 yards off her line with the ball sailing well over her head and Karperos raced past her to dribble in a second tally. The keeper suffered a painful deja vu moment when she was again positioned well beyond the penalty area facing another Stampede offensive. This time, Karperos calmly turned and lobbed the ball into the open net, ending the game and sealing tournament gold.
Led by keeper Lutzker and center backs Belafsky and Grace Barger, the locals' team defensive domination throughout the tournament was awe inspiring. While Barger and Belafsky plugged up the middle and ran down countless offensive attacks, right back Sherlyn García denied all attempts to penetrate the left flank. Carlson, Eccles and Ainsley Carroll further corralled the opponents' attempts to get forward and defensive midfielders Lindsey Vernau and Sydney Moore stifled offensive advances. Dmeiri and Skye Shaffer took on double duty, playing both forward and midfield positions throughout the tournament, excelling in both roles.
