Oregon Rush Wins Two State Cup Titles
Portland, OR-
For the second successive year, Oregon Rush had multiple teams in the Oregon State Cup finals. Four teams returned from 2011, three looking to retain their titles and one looking to avenge a succession of final losses to their in-state rivals.
The day began with the 93 (U18) Girls Nike, 95 (U16) Girls Nike and 96 (U15) Girls Nike kicking off at 9am.
The 93 Girls and coach Kyle Steinbaugh were looking to reach four state championships and looking to better their semi-final finish at the 2011 Regional Championships, but at the end of the day ran into a tough Westside Metro team who had been a familiar opponent in past finals. The game ended with Rush being on the wrong end of a 3-0 result.
The 95 Girls Nike (pictured) faced a determined RVSC team who had pushed them in the 2011 edition of state cup. After some early nerves, Rush settled in and were up 3-0 by half. This allowed the girls to continue to play with confidence and move the ball well. By the final whistle, Rush finished on top 6-0 and turned their focus to the Regional Championships in Phoenix. Coach Eli Ulvi is looking to improve from Regionals in 2011, "last year the girls attended Regionals for the first time and it showed. This year I hope to have more of their focus and we will train with an emphasis on each of their responsibilities within our chosen system of play as well as handling and applying pressure."
Another team looking to repeat after their 2011 success was the 96 Girls Nike led by coach Kyle Chown. The girls had a difficult match against a physical opponent. Down 1-0 for much of the game, the girls tied it up minutes from the end of regulation on a penalty. Nothing further separated the team throughout extra time. Rush came out on the good side of the penalties and will advance for the second year to the Regional Championships.
The 96 (U15) Boys Nike coached by Darren Pitfield were in a familiar position. Matched up against their nemesis from CFC, the team knew they had a tough match in front of them. The past two years had ended in heartbreak in the final after losing by the slimmest of margins. At the end of the day, Rush succumbed to a CFC team that was up for the challenge and ended the game with a 3-0 result.
