Ballard Flames are champions

By Dean Wong

With the 2007 Seattle Citywide Soccer Tournament Championship on the line and the game tied, the Ballard Flames U-12 girls team defeated the Queen Anne Hawks 2-1 in a penalty-kick shootout.

Each team lined up at mid-field for five shots each at the goal to determine the outcome. "It's a stressful deal in a good way. I told the kids this is the hardest thing on the soccer field. Luckily we wound up on top," said coach Terry McGibbon, referring to penalty kicks.

The tournament was difficult with 23 teams entered. The weather was cold and it took nine games in two weeks for the Flames to win the title. The Flames went 8-1 over the two week stretch. Queen Anne only had to play four games because it was a top seed.

"It was a heck of a bracket. We played soccer every other night. We passed and defended well," said McGibbon.

It was the Flames' second shootout win in a row, having beaten the LVR Hornets 3-2 two nights earlier at Loyal Heights' field.

Following the final victory, Seattle soccer legend Mike Ryan handed the championship cup bearing his name to Flames captains Taylor Kuenzi and Natalie McGibbon.

Most of the Flames players have been together since they played micro soccer for kids five to six years old with three on three teams. "They all go to school together and grew up together," said McGibbon.

The Ballard Flames were 8-0-2 in the regular season. The Flames players are Katianne Anderson, Sarah Beard, Katie Brostrom, Anna Ferkingstad, Mary Harper, Laura Holmes, Taylor Kuenzi, Caroline Lorentzen, Natalie McGibbon, Sydney McMuldroch, Bayley Meyer, Caroline Monaghan, Tessa Sechler, Grace Taylor, and Kelsie Wade. The coaches are Terry McGibbon, Bruce Kuenzi, and Geoff Wall.

Ballard's Superstars defended last years U-12 title with another championship this year in the U-13 division. After losing their first game of the tournament, the Superstars went on to win their next seven in dominating fashion, not giving up a goal the rest of the way. They beat the Shorelake Wave in the title game 2-0.

The Superstars players are Kirsten Aakervik, Brittanini Bergerson, Zoe Birkbeck, Julia Boone, Rylie Chabot, Racheal Cochran, Devin Degagne, Mariah DeWeese, Erika Faubion, Gina Leipertz, Mishu Pham-Whipple, Audrey Rausch, Bryn Scharenberg, Maren Scott, Hollie Sharp, and Randi Vidrine. The coaches are Steve Leipertz and Mike Rausch.