Chili Peppers win state Dairy Farmers Cup

By Dean Wong

The Ballard Chili Peppers, a team from the Ballard Youth Soccer Club won the Dairy Farmers of Washington President's Cup in the BU-13 division on Dec. 9 in Olympia.

Despite playing on a snow covered field, the Chili Peppers managed to beat the Puyallup Hurricanes 2-1. Referees scraped as much snow as the could to reveal the lines and the game went on as planned.

The Hurricanes dominated in the first half when they scored their only goal. In the second half, Ballard stormed back with a header by Max Smithgall. Dermot Creegan then scored on a direct kick to seal the win.

"The boys battled in tough conditions and played their hardest. In the second half the boys responded," said coach Paul Payton.

After the game, the team celebrated at an Olympia restaurant with parents, aunts and uncles in attendance.

"They had a blast and hope it will be something they remember for a long time," said Payton.

During the regular season, Ballard won the city of Seattle Youth Soccer Association Gold Division with a 7-1-2 record. They were also the Washington State Youth Soccer Assocation District 1 champions.

Most of the team members are from Whitman Middle School and Salmon Bay school.

The team also played in the city semi-finals on Dec. 12 and won to advance to the City Tournament Final on Dec. 15, after the News-Tribune went to press.

The Chili Peppers roster includes: Jack Boyd; Chance Brandt; Dermot Creegan; Zachary Fernandi; Ali Horri; Tyler Hulseym; Joseph Hurley; Julien Leveque; Connor Menninga; Kyle Menter; Max O'Neal; Alex Payton; Hunter Philip; Max Smithgall; Gerson Tschider; Aiden Turvey; Colton Westmark; and Nick Zelle. The other coach is Andrew Westmark.

Ballard Youth Soccer Club teams Lasers, Ligers, Flames, Superstars and Northstars all made the city playoffs and played games last week.