Sting Timbers girls to play for 18U regional title
Photo courtesy Idaho Youth Soccer Association Members of the Sting Timbers 00/01 girls soccer team celebrate Saturday after Tiana Cydell scored in a sudden death shootout to lift the Sting Timbers past Billings (Mont.) United in a semifinal game at the US Youth Soccer Far West Presidents Cup in Salt Lake City. The Sting Timbers play this morning in the championship game with the winner advancing to the National Presidents Cup, set for July 11-15 in Westfield, Ind.
SALT LAKE CITY — After a thrilling sudden-death shootout victory on Saturday, the Sting Timbers FC 00/01 girls soccer team has advanced to the 18-and-under championship game of the US Youth Soccer Far West Presidents Cup at the Regional Athletic Complex.
The Sting Timbers play L30 Nitro Utah today at 9:15 a.m. PDT. The winner advances to the National Presidents Cup, set for July 11-15 in Westfield, Ind.
After winning their first four tourney games by shutout, the Sting Timbers took on Billings (Mont.) United in the semifinals on Saturday. The game was tied at 1 after 90 minutes of regulation, and two 15-minute overtime periods.
Megan Drake scored the lone goal of regulation for the Sting Timbers. It was her ninth goal of the tournament, tops in the 18U girls division.
The shootout was tied after the first five shooters.
In sudden death, Sting Timbers goalkeeper Lily Foster blocked a shot by Billings, then Tiana Cydell sealed the victory with a shot that clipped the crossbar and came down just over the line.
Sarah Swider, Drake, Erika Skindlov, Chloe Teets, Bridget Rieken and Cydell scored for the Sting Timbers in the shootout. Defenders Eryn Ducote, Rieken, Charlotte Hennig, Makenzie Mattis and Cydell also earned praise for their play in front of Foster.
The Sting Timbers opened tourney play by defeating California South and Arsenal SC Utah, both by 3-0 scores. On Day 3, the Sting Timbers blanked California North 4-0.
In the quarterfinals, STFC won 7-0 over the Fullerton Rangers-California South. Megan Drake scored 5 goals, and Juliana Stith, Lexi Medina, Teets, Courtney Cydell and Erika Skindlov also scored goals this week as well.
Sarah Swider and Maddie Smith earned kudos for their play in the midfield.