Blue Crush takes 11K title

The Blue Crush, a girls’ under-10 squad out of AYSO Region 56, won

the Area 11K championship by defeating Region 55, 2-1, in overtime at

Larkview Park in Huntington Beach.

Championship teams from each of the eight regions were represented

at the Area playoffs.

Blue Crush, which won a regional title on Nov. 20, is now 17-0-1.

During the playoffs, Blue Crush outscored its opponents, 13-3.

In the Area title match, Blue Crush keeper Kaitlyn Lodge made a

spectacular block to deny Region 55 an assault on goal on its opening

attack.

The ball was put back in play and Blue Crush went on the

offensive.

Midfielder Kristen Shklanko carried the ball up to the center

field and passed it off the strikers Lauren Davis and Zoe Zimmerer.

Davis crashed the goal and forced a corner kick.

Blue Crush scored the first goal of the game on Zimmerer’s kick,

which curved into the goal over the keeper’s head.

Kimberly Shlaudeman and Ayslin Rice worked the midfield for the

first half and continued to bring the ball from Blue Crush’s half of

the field, to their strikers for continued attacks.

Blue Crush defenders Sarah Shklanko, Jessica Malane and Brianna

Luzzi stopped every attack and along with the Blue Crush midfield,

keep Region 55 scoreless through the first half.

In the second half, Stephanie Rojas rotated in as the right

midfielder and Amanda Lodge at right defender, to keep up the

pressure on Region 55.

Region 55 scored on a direct kick in front of the goal in the

second half, to force overtime.

On kickoff of the first overtime, Zimmerer made a run up the right

side and put in the game-winning goal.

Blue Crush midfielders and its defense held Region 55 scoreless

through the second overtime to earn the championship.

In youth swimming:

Huntington Beach’s Joshua Smith won nine gold medals at the Winter

Age Group Swimming Championships in Las Vegas.

The 10-year-old, who swims for NOVA, won gold medals in every

event he swam in the boys’ 10-and-under Division competition at the

Desert Breeze Pool: 50 (26.3 time) and 100 (57.8) freestyle, 50

(35.9) and 100 (115.9) breaststroke, 50 (30.6) and 100 (107.0)

backstroke, 100 individual medley (1:07.7), 200 medley relay and 200

free relay.

The nine victories made Smith the highest point winner in his age

group.

He now is now ranked No. 1 nationally in his age division in the

following events: 50 free (26.3), 100 free (57.8), 50 Backstroke

(30.6) and 100 Backstroke (1.07.0).

Smith is ranked second nationally in the 100 individual medley

(1.07.77).

The times are National Recordable Times.

In girls’ club soccer action:

Xtreme wins classic title

The Gold Coast Xtreme girls’ club soccer team won the under-12

Division title at the Anaheim Holiday Classic tournament.

Playing with several guest players in place of unavailable

regulars, the Xtreme won by scores of 5-0, 8-0, 4-1 and 3-1 over

teams from Whittier, Anaheim and Mission Viejo.

Leading scorers for the tournament were Sarah Wilkinson with seven

goals, Devon Shinn scored six goals and Jackie Frieberger had five

goals.

Natalie Bergeron and Brittany Moya scored one goal.

Outstanding midfield play was turned in by Shannon Wright and

Emily Walling and solid defense by Katherine Zeltner and Paige

Grigus.

The Xtreme next will compete in tournament play in January in

preparation for the upcoming State Cup in February.