Photos by Steve Galluzzo
The Palisades Strikers, an AYSO Region 69 Extra team, finished second out of 41 teams in the U11 BX playoffs, which covers most of Southern California. It was an amazing run for the Strikers, who were seeded eighth and a wild card for the two-week tournament in La Habra in December.
Consisting of Cabe Talt, Dylan Morrow, Tate Dore, Merritt Levin, Wesley Hom, Josh Ahdoot, Owen Tyler, Jace Hansen, Isaac Soppe and Stephen Sandbo and guided by co-coaches by Jenny Morrow and Taylor Talt, the Strikers qualified for the State Cup.
The local squad advanced to the quarterfinals of the knockout round and edged prevously-undefeated Culver City, 2-1. In the semifinal round, the Strikers took on Aliso Viejo and trailed 2-1 at halftime before rallying for two late goals to win 2-1 and earn a spot in the Champions Cup final against rival Santa Monica.
Though the Strikers lost they enjoyed a magical fall they will not soon forget, ending up as the No. 2 team in Southern California.
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