The Santa Barbara Girls 12U Night Shades put on a dominating performance at the Area Tournament over the past weekend and are headed to Bakersfield in February for the AYSO Regionals.
The Night Shade defeated Ventura in the championship game, 4-1, scoring three goals in the last 10 minutes. Devon Fitzgibbons recorded a hat trick for the winners.
Fitzgibbons scored Santa Barbara’s only goal in the first half on a quick breakaway. Ventura managed to tie the game 1-1 just before half-time. The game remained tied until the final 10 minutes when Fitzgibbons scored again for Santa Barbara from the middle of the box, with an assist from Adylin Wansor. Santa Barbara then scored twice more on two counterattacks, with Fitzgibbons and Madelynn Ramming doing the honrs. Midfielder Pressley Horton added an assist.
In the semi-final matchup, Santa Barbara faced a tough Carpinteria team. After jumping out to a 1-0 lead with a goal from Fitzgibbons, Carpinteria tied the game 1-1 early in the second half. Santa Barbara was then able to fend off a furious onslaught of shots, culminating in a brilliant defensive sequence where goalie Eva Faust was left out of position following a diving save and Ramming used her body to deflect two more point-blank shots on goal.
The game ended regulation in a tie and was decided on penalty kicks. Santa Barbara made three of four shots, with goals by Tenaya Sichi, Eva Faust and Fitzgibbons. Ramming, the goalkeeper, blocked three of Carpenteria’s five shots to secure the victory and allow the team to advance to the finals.
“I’m so proud of these girls,” said coach Danny Fitzgibbons. “They had to battle through three tough games on Sunday and gave it all they had until the final second. They play a selfless brand of soccer and are always moving the ball to find the open player.”
“I’m excited for the regional tournament and what these ladies can accomplish,” added coach Daniel Ramming. “Each player has developed tremendously over the last three months. The team we’ve become is due to the focused effort they put into every practice and the strong bond they’ve been able to form.”
The AYSO Area 10W Tournament is held every November and consists of the top teams from both Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. The Night Shades advanced out of pool play, winning each of their games without allowing a single goal. The team’s platoon of goalkeepers consists of Adylin Wansor, Anabelle Mata and Eva Faust.
The Santa Barbara Night Shades are comprised of Scarlett Bereda, Eva Faust, Devon Fitzgibbons, Pressley Horton, Anabelle Mata, Madelynn Ramming, Victoria Rea, Brydie Rissel, Tenaya Sichi, Savannah Simms, Rowan Smith and Adylin Wansor. The team is coached by Danny Fitzgibbons and Daniel Ramming.