The Cupertino Courier

Sports

Kennedy 8th-grade girls win it all in jr. high soccer league

By Mike Barnhart

Finishing a near perfect season with a near perfect game, the Kennedy Middle School eighth grade girls soccer team captured the Valley Junior High School Athletic League championship recently.

The Cougars, under the direction of coach Larry Blair, defeated Blach of Los Altos 4-0 in the finale April 5 at Columbia Middle School in Sunnyvale. After scoring two goals in the first half, Kennedy's offense added two more goals in the second half, while the defense stifled the Blach attack.

After going 8-0-1 in the 10-team VJHSAL, the Cougars were seeded No. 1 in the six-team playoffs. Following a first-round bye, the Cougars beat district rival Cupertino 5-0 in the semi-final round. Meanwhile, Blach reached the title game by blanking Egan of Los Altos 2-0. Egan was the only team that Kennedy did not beat in the regular season. A tie with Egan was the only blemish on Kennedy's 10-0-1 overall record.

Kennedy team members included Erin Chiu, Karina Fathi, Taylor Francoeur, Sarah Hsu, Grace Huang, Sandra Ley, Olivia Li, Zohar Liebermench, Mariel Little, Mary Matsunami, Jacqueline Pedrazza, Kristen Tatsuno, Cheryl Tom, Shishi Wang and Briana Zimmers.