9/7/15: Stampede reach quarterfinals at SoCal Blues Cup

The locals made it to the quarterfinals at the So Cal Blues Cup held Labor Day weekend at the SoCal Soccer Complex in Oceanside, California. They started strong in the qualifying rounds, shutting out both the Cal Cougars, 2-0, and the Arizona Thunder, 6-0 and coming from behind to tie Real SoCal 1-1. Goals against the Cougars came from Jordan Davis at the 6 on a cross by Niya Allen and from Lily Byrne from 18 assisted by striker Talyssa Tucker. In routing the Thunder, Ainsley Carroll scored first on an Allen assist. Byrne was then hammered in the box and Davis netted the penalty for the 2-0 lead. An own-goal made it 3-0 with an assist by Anne Ayotte. Davis knocked in a ricocheting bouncer in the box to make it 4-0 and Byrne broke through the defense for the fifth tally with an assist by Skye Shaffer. Ayotte roped in a shot from 20 for goal number six. Game 3 was much more competitive as Real SoCal went ahead early. But Byrne found a way through the defense after to tie things up, securing a trip to the knockout rounds. Despite their high qualifying score, the Stampede found themselves facing the state's top ranked SoCal Blues in the quarterfinals. The locals surprised their opponent with intense hustle and offensive pressure early which paid off with a first-half goal. Ayotte whipped in a free kick from 25 and, after several blocked shots and ricochets, Sophie Karperos stepped in to bury the tally from 6 for the 1-0 lead. It was short lived, however, as the eventual tournament champions' physical dominance wore down the locals, beating them 3-1. The Stampede's impressive offensive showing was complemented by an equally tough defense led by center back Yasmeen Dmeiri, holding mid Skye Shaffer, and keeper McKenna Lutzker. Constant support and resilient play came from Leah Eccles, Sherlyn García, Lindsey Vernau, Grace Carlson, Sydney Moore and Grace Barger.