By Lisa Ramsey-Simpson

The American Youth Soccer Organization has been a fixture in South Lake Tahoe youth soccer for some time, providing a way for local youth to learn about the game of soccer, sportsmanship and the value of working together as a team.

Each year South Lake Tahoe sends one to two All-Star teams to compete for the title of All-Star Champions for our region. This year was no different. Having only two weeks to prepare for the tournaments, the coaches had their work cut out for them. They had to take 10 kids per team and get them not only to play together, but to play a strategic and competitive game of soccer at a level above the regular season.

Coaches Mark Salmon, Perry Quinn, Arcadio Garza and Freddie Gonzales took the task of getting the U-10 girls ready for the big event. The two teams practiced together several days per week with and against each other to prepare. Schedules were announced and the teams were notified their first game was going to be early. They all had to be at Carson City no later than 7:30am last Saturday. Each team played hard in the first game and both teams came out with their first wins of the tournament.

South Lake Tahoe's girls soccer teams made it to the championship tournament. Photo/Victoria Gonzales

Saturday afternoon the girls played their second games and came out with another win for each of their respective divisions. The comradery was displayed between the two teams as players and parents watched both divisional games to support the South Lake Tahoe girls.

Sunday would prove to be more challenging. Weather would be a factor with the temperature dropping and consistent rain throughout the day. Dedicated parents withstood the rain and wind to watch the morning games. The air was filled with anticipation, hope and cheers. Luckily, the weather seemed to have little impact on the girls who continued to win again in both divisions. Excitement filled the chilly air as the coaches, girls, and fans realized both teams would be competing in their respective divisions for the All-Star championship.

The Championship games were tough. The Sierra division saw their opponents score a goal within minutes of the first quarter. The Cascade division was able to score a goal in the first quarter, but after multiple attempts couldn’t score again. In the end, the Sierra division took their first loss, which was hard for the players and their friends. The Cascade division was able to hold on to their 1-0 lead to win the Championships.

Cascade team and players moved over to the Sierra division field to rally with the other Tahoe players. Parents, friends and family members created one large Tahoe tunnel and chanted “Tahoe, Tahoe” while the players ran through.

In the end, one could be really proud of the girls from Tahoe. They played well, dominated with points, and above all, played with great class. Coach Mark Salmon told the parents earlier this week “I’m watching our current varsity girl’s team capture the league title over Truckee and moving onto State and picturing this same group of girls doing it several years from now.” Congratulations to all the coaches representing South Lake Tahoe, but especially to Mark, Perry, Freddie, and Arcadio who helped develop these girls to compete on this level. Congratulations to all the players who rocked the fields last weekend and played with every thing they had.

Lisa Ramsey-Simpson is a parent of one of the players.