USA Strikers rally to earn 2-2 tie in finale

Playing inspired ball in the final match of the regular season Saturday, the USA Strikers came back from a two-goal deficit to play the Mean Green Kicking Machine to a 2-2 tie in AYSO Region 56 boys’ Under-10 division action.

The Strikers fought to the end, despite trailing 2-0 heading into the fourth quarter.

Then they scored twice to even the match.

The Mean Green Kicking Machine was equally impressive. A Jacob Capps goal early in the second quarter gave his team a 1-0 lead. In the third quarter, Grant Mooney sent a cross to Zach Pointer and Pointer slid a shot past the Strikers goalie to up the advantage to 2-0.

The Strikers’ offense, stymied in the early stages of the game, finally came alive in the fourth quarter.

Josh Reichert and Drew Truxaw led an aroused attack, peppering the Machine’s goal with four shots, but the defense of David Tuel, Miles Walton and Mitch Geringer protected that 2-0 lead. Walker Thurston finally gave the Strikers the first goal with a power shot from the 18-yard line.

With just two minutes to play, a Reichert shot deflected out, resulting in a corner kick for the Strikers.

On the ensuing corner, Gavin Kirkreit’s kick found an open Connor Venanzi who, on one touch, sent the ball into the back of the net.

Other key contributions from the Strikers came from Nico Bearden, Drexler Kim, Sterling Lapham, Zack Roesch, Bradley Baak and Jack Truxaw. Mark Venanzi and Rich Kirkreit coach the Strikers.

In other AYSO action:

Girls

Under-14 Division

Purple Piranhas 3, Blue Frost 2

Amy Calkins scored in the second overtime to lift the fourth-place Purple Piranhas past the first-place Blue Frost.

Following a scoreless first half, Jessica Graham scored consecutive goals in the third quarter to put Blue Frost up 2-0.

The Purple Piranhas rallied midway through the fourth quarter, where Lindsay Apple scored and Brooke Aiau nailed a penalty kick with two minutes left, to tie the score.

In club soccer action:

NHB Black, North Huntington Beach’s girls’ Under-11 club soccer team, played in two matches over the weekend.

NHB played first-place Orange Junior Soccer Club Premier to a scoreless tie Saturday, then on Sunday edged Junior United Soccer Assn. Select Blue, 1-0.

Against Select Blue of Anaheim, Alex Karlowitsch took a cross from Kaylyn Benzen and fired a pass upfield to Kayla Wigney, who sent a strike into the net to put NHB up 1-0 midway through the second half.