Pali Storm, a local AYSO girls’ U12 All-Star team, shined through the mud and cold on fields throughout Los Angeles and Beverly Hills last weekend, dominating its competition to win the Beverly Hills Sportsmanship Cup with 22 goals for and four against in four games. “I’m most impressed by how well the girls played together even though the team was created only days before the tournament,” Coach Scot Vorse said. “Many of the girls had never been on the field together before our first game yet they showed amazing teamwork and trust in each other as they skillfully passed and played solid team defense.” Pali Storm, also coached by Don Parcell, shut out both San Pedro and Long Beach on Saturday by 5-0 scores. Sunday morning, the Storm dominated South L.A. 7-0, showing their balance as every girl on the team either scored or assisted on a goal. In the finals, Pali Storm faced a strong Beverly Hills side that had been playing together for some time with a talented roster of both AYSO and club players. Palisades’ girls showcased their speed and skill to build a 3-0 halftime lead. Beverly Hills came back to tie the game early in the second half. Not to be discouraged, Pali Storm went back on the attack, scoring twice to take a 5-3 lead with 10 minutes left. Beverly Hills pulled to within one goal as the clock wound down but couldn’t net the equalizer. With the 5-4 victory Pali Storm improved to 4-0. Each girl played a key role in winning the championship: Jayne Baumgarten, Hannah Bowlin, Caity Buerge, Kelly Costa, Caroline Gluck, Brianna Kupfer, Tara Nikkhoo, Kaitlyn Nyman, Kaitlyn Parcell, Georgia Raber, Brooke Reese, Charlie Robinson and Alexis Wright. After a short break for the New Year’s holiday Pali Storm resumes its schedule at the Santa Ynez Valley Winter Classic.
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