The Thunderbolts girls soccer team from Santa Barbara AYSO captured the Under-12 championship at the AYSO Western States Championships in Morgan Hill over the weekend.
The team defeated Hillsborough, 2-1, in the semifinals and South L.A., 2-1, in the championship game.
The Thunderbolts are the first U12 girls team from Santa Barbara to win a Western States title, according to Santa Barbara AYSO Commissioner John Maloney.
“They played with so much confidence, camaraderie and joy,” said coach Mitch Thomas. “It truly was a beautiful example of teamwork.”
The Western States title capped an amazing season for the Thunderbolts. The team went undefeated, with 22 wins and one draw.
Members of the Thunderbolts are: Maya D’Amour, Gwyneth Thomas, Elsie Orwig, Emilee Joulie-Mares, Madeline Kneafsey, Piper McGinnis, Adeline Parker, Julie Horton, Simone Rudnicki, Wynne Singer, and Arianna Boyce.
The coaches are Mitch Thomas and Angela D’Amour.
The Western States Championships included teams from California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada and Alaska.