6/17/12: Stampede win 3 of 4 at Cal Cup in Sacramento

The locals braved both 100+ temperatures and a very tough top bracket this past weekend in Sacramento as they took 3 of 4 games at the Cal Cup tournament held at Cherry Island Soccer Complex.  In Game 1 against Santa Clara, the Stampede struck early on a close range goal by Sophia Karperos.  Santa Clara later found the equalizer, but Lily Byrne was able to power in a left-footed  game winner after teammate Jordan Davis blasted a free kick that nearly took down the crossbar.  Game 2 matched Davis against the San Juan Spirits. Once again the Stampede found a way past their opponent, 2-1, on two goals by Grace Barger. One was assisted by Byrne and the game winner came on Barger's drive from the 18.  The girls faced Modesto's Ajax Elite in Game 3 who, despite being outplayed for much of the first half, were able to shut the locals down 2-0, thereby erasing Davis' hopes for a medal. The Stampede then defeated the Diablo FC Extreme in the consolation game and yet again came away with a 2-1 win, both goals coming on breakaways by Jordan Davis, assisted by Kaitlyn McElhern.