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NHB Defense Rocks Toyota of Orange
NHB sent six teams to the 37th Toyota of Orange Classic Tournament held August 21 and 22. This long standing and respected tournament once again provided great venues and competition. NHB would like to congratulate Tournament Director Mike Chilcott and the Orange Soccer Club for running such a fine tournament.
Our teams included the G13 FC and G15 Black coached by Brent Whitfield, B11 Black coached by Ramon Herrera, B16 Black coached by Francisco Flores, G17 Black coached by John Roland, and coach Dave Thomas’ G19 Black. NHB’s combined record was 13-6-2 and the stingy defenses posted 12 shutouts and allowed only 11 goals while scoring 27.
The B15 Black team overcame an opening round loss to win the Championship 1-0 over the Pateadores Blue. The most exciting game in their run was the semi-final against Chivas Jr. USA. A team they have faced unsuccessfully three times this summer. NHB fought back after being down 0-2 in the semi-final to tie the game and went on to win in PKs. The first come back goal was scored with 10 minutes remaining by Ethan Mariz off a directed header from Tommy Maccahiavello. Noel Gonzalez scored the tying goal after beating two defenders with less than 2 minutes in the game. Keeper Dylan Walter saved the first PK and Chivas’ final attempt hit the post sealing the win. Coach Whitfield cited the tenacious play of center midfielder Joe Montano in naming him the tournament MVP.
Playing with only one substitute on two very hot days, NHB’s G19 Black posted three straight shutouts to make into the finals against the OSC Premier White. They played a good match and pushed up late, narrowly missed tying the game, but ended up losing 1-2. The OSC Premier is the only team that has been able to score on NHB in their past 7 games.
Defense carried the G13 NHB FC as they posted three consecutive 3-0 victories in route to the final. In the finals against a very good OSC United Warriors team they were tied 1-1 at the end of regulation and overtime. Unfortunately, after 10 kickers they lost 3-2 on PKs. Despite the loss on PKs in the finals the team has been red hot in the past two tournaments. They won the Coronado Crown City Classic and finished as Finalists in the Toyota of Orange Classic with a 7-1 record while scoring 19 goals and with only 2 goals against.
Coach Ramon’s B11 Black did not give up a single goal and went undefeated with a 1-0-2 record but did not make the finals based on the tie breakers. The G17 Black team won their pool with two consecutive 1-0 victories but lost in the semi-finals to the eventual tournament champions Prestige Black. And the B16 Black, playing up in the B17 flight was very competitive with a victory and two 0-1 losses.
