November 14-15th

Northern CA

This past weekend the ladies of the U13 Girls Folsom A.R. Fire burned a trail straight to the Premier division of the NorCal State Cup tournament. After last year’s Bronze 2 Finals, not even the girls could have imagined that after 2 rounds they would leap 4 brackets this year to be a part of the top 16 teams in NorCal.

The 2009-2010 road to the Cup has certainly had its share of blisters. After cleaning up in their preliminary round against the Illusion and Placer United White the Fire were doused by top ranked Elk Grove Everton. The girls fought valiantly but the day belonged to Elk Grove. Undaunted the girls huddled up to keep the embers aglow for round 2 while continuing to close out 2 and 3 games nearly every weekend to accommodate the demanding regular season schedule of the Golden State Soccer League.

Round 2 was a challenge of a different kind for the girls. Never at full strength, and of those that suited up many were nursing painful injuries, the girls of American River FSC would face formidable foes and would offer no excuses. This round began with a reminder that they were not the only game in town. Against the San Juan Spirits the Fire were not themselves and unsettled play quickly turned to opportunity for the Spirits and the flame fizzled in a 3-0 loss. The girls taped and iced their disappointment and prepared for their next battle.

The weekend of November 14-15 was critical in the development of this new Northern California powerhouse. Folsom would have to face it as they had become accustomed to; beat up and short-handed. Not only would they face two State Cup foes to decide their 2nd round fate but they would also be facing their final game of the GSSL season.

Saturday evening brought Davis Heat to town and although heat can be a little unsettling in November, FSC let Davis know that Fire burns. The girls fried up their Davis visitors Folsom style taking a commanding 2-0 lead. The Heat had a late flare-up to put the game at 2-1 but it was all but decided. With this the Fire headed for some well deserved R & R at a local pizza place. As the girls refueled Coach Kyle Shelton traveled from table to table, first aid kit and ice chest in hand, patching the troupes together for tomorrow’s GSSL division title.

Hitting the road by 7am the girls were headed to Richmond to face the ACC Mavericks. After dominating their last confrontation with the Mavericks the Fire knew their opponent would be ready to rumble. The Mavericks were currently 1 point ahead of the Fire in the standings; it would take a win to finish 1st. It was truly a slugfest for the ages. Evenly matched throughout, the Mavericks managed to drop in 1 goal in at the beginning of the 2nd half. But as all of Northern CA knows, Folsom Fire never stops burning. The game ended on a controversial decision by the referee. After taking a well deserved Folsom penalty shot, the Mavericks goalie managed to slap the ball from its destiny back to an awaiting Fire player twice. The second shot seared the back of the net and the ref signaled the goal. After seeing that the goalie had fallen to the ground and at the advisement of a sideline ref the goal was overturned due to a brush against the goalie’s swatting arm. 10 seconds back into play the final whistle blew and the season was over. Disappointed with their 2nd place finish, but aware that they had equaled the performance of their opponent, the girls left for their next battlefront. Not bad for their first year in Division 1 soccer.

From Richmond to Redwood City they marched to face Jueventus Avanza. Despite a rocky start, AR FSC Fire controlled much of the late afternoon game but could not find the elusive back of the net. The defensive struggle ended as it started; 0-0. The 2nd round of NorCal State cup play ended with the Folsom Fire earning their place in the sweet 16; the Premier group.

The last few weeks have proven that Fire can hang their heads high with any team in NorCal. With heart and determination and some tape, the girls persevered through an unexpectedly difficult leg of their season. With two weeks to rest, repair and rekindle the Folsom AR Fire will surely come back with an inferno the likes of which few have witnessed. Congratulations girls. The upward climb continues.