In March, the Glendale AYSO Region 88 Under 10 Boys Area All-Star team went into the playoffs hungry to take the top spot. Two games later, the boys walked away with first place after a 3-2 victory over South Pasadena.

In Sunday’s semifinal game against Pasadena, a defensive struggle in regular time ended with a score of 0-0, so overtime was necessary. Matthew Malhotra made a perfect pass to Branden Acuna who was ready with a one-time redirection into the back of the net. Nicola Notaro and Silas Earnhardt preserved the victory with a save and clearance, and the boys were on to the championship game.

Their competition was South Pasadena, which had tied the team 1-1 in the second game of the season and who was undefeated during the regular season (8-0-1).

The championship game showed how well the Glendale team came together during the season. The teams traded goals, with Ben Elster scoring from a perfectly placed corner kick from Earnhadt. Anthony Marquez scored on a counterattack, and Acuna scored the winning goal in the 35th minute. The defensive line of goalie Nicola Notaro and backs Artin Shenian, Earnhardt, and Jaeger Wyss kept South Pasadena from mounting any threats in the second half to preserve the win.

Submitted by Mark GRENINGER

  Mark GRENINGER