The Firecrackers, a Jamul Region 511 AYSO Girls U12 soccer team, made history on December 15, 2013 when they won the San Diego East County Area V Tournament of Champions (SDEC Area V TOC) Championship.
The Firecrackers are the first Jamul Region 511 TOC Girls Team to win the SDEC Area V TOC Championship in over 12 years and possibly since Region 511 was created (1984) but Area V’s Records do not go that far back. There was a previous Girls All Star Team that went on to play in LA, but not a TOC team. The last SDEC Area V TOC Championship that was secured by a Jamul team was a U12 Boys Team approximately 7 years ago.
To qualify to play in the SDEC Area V TOC the ten girl team finished in first place in Region 511 with the fewest number of goals scored against them, out of the 11 Jamul and El Cajon teams they played. Their team also had the greatest differential between goals scored and goals allowed in the same 12 team pool. A total of 43 Goals Scored (GS) versus 10 Goals Allowed (GA).
The age division (U12) that this team plays in, plays with 9 on the field. However, due to injury or illness resulting in player absence, the team ended up playing as short as 7 players in several games and still managed to finish in first place in Region 511.
This team of ten rostered girls is comprised of girls from age 10 to age 12 (now) and are fifth to seventh graders. The girls hail from Jamul (7), Spring Valley (1), Bonita (1) and El Cajon (1). The average team in this age division has twelve players on their roster.
The ten rostered Firecracker girls includes three experienced Club/AYSO players, six returning AYSO players and one new AYSO player.
The Firecrackers have continued to improve their skills and endurance during the season. Prior to the SDEC Area V TOC Championship Tournament in December; the Firecrackers had played a total of 10 regular season games and 12 additional games in (3) tournaments, and then they went on to win the SDEC Area V TOC in first class style.
At the SDEC Area V TOC the Firecrackers played against 11 other east county teams from Spring Valley, La Mesa, El Cajon, Santee, Lakeside and Alpine. During the tournament the Firecrackers only allowed a total of 2 goals to be scored on the team, while scoring 18 goals against the competition. In the Championship Game, they won the tournament with a 6 to 0 game against El Cajon.
The Firecrackers have now qualified for the Section 11 tournament held in the LA area, and will be playing the LA area’s best teams in the Garden Grove TOC Section 11 Championship Tournament on February 8 and 9th, 2014. If they win there, they will play at the statewide Tri-Section Tournament in March. After the Section 11 Championship, the Firecrackers are going to Knott’s Berry Farm for some well deserved relaxation and fun as a team of friends.
If you know these girls, give them a call or text, and tell them “Good Job” and wish them “Good Luck” with their next championship tournament or come and watch them play.
The Firecracker’s Team is comprised of the following girls:
Sophia Abbott, Kristen Nasshan, Sarah Rhoades, Emily Collins, Chloe Sevilla, Hannah Straily, Frida Paez-Alvarez, Alexia (Alex) Dominguez, Jennifer McCubbin and Alexa (Lexi) Fox.
They are coached by Tim Abbott (Head Coach) and John Nasshan (Assistant Coach). The team’s numerous activities and web site is managed by Sandy Nasshan (Team Manager). Two High School and Club Player experienced teenagers who are the Assistant Trainers are Samantha Abbott and Samantha Nasshan (the S&S team).
Seven of the ten Firecracker girls were also selected to play on the 2014 Jamul All Stars Team which is playing their east county wide Tournament on January 11, 18, and 19th at Montgomery Middle School in El Cajon.
Brian Janis
All Star Head Coach