5/6/12: Stampede dominate in Manteca

The locals showed their dominance last Sunday in Manteca as they won all three games at Norcal's Playdate #3.  Game 1 was a 7-0 rout against the Fair Oaks Freedom. Kaitlin McElhern opened the scoring with a left-footed blast.  Lily Byrne followed with two more goals, one a "dribble-drive to the net" and another on a quick tap-in after a goalkeeping error.  Jordan Davis added the third goal on yet another lapse by the Fair Oaks keeper.  After the half, Yasmeen Dmeiri made it 5-0 and Adeline Umphress netted the last two on assists from Dmeiri and Sophia Karperos.  In Game 2, the Stampede edged FC Elk Grove 2-1.  Surprised by an early goal, the Stampede's Byrne threaded through the Elk grove side on the ensuing kickoff to tie the game 1-1.  Jordan Davis then put the locals up for good with a goal off a perfect pass from Karperos.  In a very physical second half, strong defense from keepers McKenna Lutzker and Alex Hanna, and defenders Dmeiri, Karperos, Emily Speakman, Skye Schaffer and Grace Carlson secured the win.  Physical play continued in Game 3 vs. the GSC Gryphon Red but Davis prevailed in the 3-1 contest.  Byrne set up Anne Ayotte for the first goal from the 18 after which Ayotte returned the favor to Byrne for the match's second goal.  Ayotte netted the final goal at close range after weaving past several defenders inside the goal box.

Strong work, Stampede!