Region 5 records easy shutout

Despite playing most of the game with a two-person disadvantage, Them, an AYSO girls’ Under-16 team from Region 5 (Fountain Valley), scored a 3-0 shutout win Saturday over Region 117 (Fountain Valley/Huntington Beach) at Newland Elementary School in Huntington Beach.

Region 5 midfielder Brittany Stevens found teammate Jordi Emrich open in the middle of the field and the forward out-ran the Region 117 defense to score just four minutes into the game.

Playing with only nine players Fountain Valley used only one player up top and Stevens once again found the open forward at the 36-minute mark connecting this time with Gabi Herrera who took the ball up the left side and connected from 10-yards out with a left-foot kick. Emrich closed out the scoring with 13 minutes left in the game by taking an errant pass and dribbling past several Region 117 defenders for the score.

Kaitlyn Ramirez and Sara Smith combined in goal for the shutout win and was aided by defenders Alyx Merickel, Kalie Hauber, Cami Stevens and Elizabeth Gonzalez.

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Girls’ U-14 Division

Region 5 (Fountain Valley) 1, Region 56 (Huntington Beach) 1: Stephanie Toubbeh sent a long through ball that Samantha Stevens was able to run under and score to give Fountain Valley the early lead, but Huntington Beach scored late in the first half and the teams played to a tie score Saturday at Brethren Christian School in Huntington Beach.

Sara Kanthong and Clair Pritchard took turns in goal for Fountain Valley and combined to turn away several shots by Huntington Beach to preserve the tie.

— From Staff Reports