SC United starts strong

The San Clemente United Under-11 girls’ soccer team, which consists of all Laguna Beach residents, did well over the weekend at the season-opening Copa Del Mar Sharks Invitational in San Diego.

The team features girls just entering into club soccer. They practiced two nights a week for the last six months, and advanced to the finals at Copa Del Mar.

SC United was in a very strong bracket, including teams from Conejo Valley, Rancho Santa Fe and San Diego. But the girls made it to the finals in their first club tournament with a great team effort. Coach Roger Castle Jr. said that having the girls from the same community helped.

Anika Pitz, Anna Kunkel, Emily Addis, Kendyl Brennan, Jaden Christiansen and Katie Hayden kept the opponents at bay with some tenacious defending. Lauren Thunen, Kirsten Landsiedel, Lauren LaMontagne, Jessica Guerinot and Katie Gavin played midfield in sport of the defense and offense, putting in a terrific performance. Lucy Fontenot, Nicole Davidson and Grace Barton provided the firepower upfront.

“Being finalists in their first club event was a great accomplishment and gets the team off to a positive start for the upcoming club season in [Coast Soccer League],” Castle said.

— From staff reports