Youth soccer team makes history at state event

SNOHOMISH — After a grueling six-day tournament played over three consecutive weekends, the Columbia Basin United 93 Navy boys soccer team accomplished something no other local youth team has done before.

United 93, a 14-year-old-and-under team, won three of its four games at the Washington State Youth Soccer Association's Premier League Placement Tournament. The event was held at Snohomish's Stocker Fields on June 2-3, 9-10 and 16-17, and the Columbia Basin team was one of eight that earned Division I status in the Washington State Premier League.

"These guys not only qualified for (first division), but they did it in a way that reflected the highest standards of sportsmanship, fair play and character," United 93 head coach Rian Allred said in a press release.

The team dominated in its opening match, winning 5-0. Bryton Redal had a hat trick, with Damian Cacchiotti and AJ Montes adding one goal apiece.

In its second game, United 93 found itself trailing 1-0 with five minutes left, despite out-shooting its opponent 22-3. But the team zeroed in on goal in those final minutes, with Kurtis Spotted Bear knocking home the equalizer and Redal netting the game-winner. Adolfo Cortez assisted on both goals.

United 93 lost its third match but rebounded against a Vancouver squad in its final match. The defense, anchored by Derrick Gonzalez, Bryce Perez, Tyler Delong, Martin Cortez and Luis Villa, shut out Vancouver for 80 minutes. That was enough for Redal to score the golden goal with 30 seconds remaining in overtime, beating Vancouver's goalkeeper to a loose ball and finding the open net.

Twenty-nine boys teams participated in the placement tournament, with 24 qualifying for either Division I, Division II or Division III status.

The CB United 93 Navy girls team, coached by Paul Hernandez and Tim Logan, also participated in the tournament. The girls lost their first game, then won three consecutive loser-out games. They finished the tournament with an overall record of 5-2, good for Division II status.

Ephrata's Kari Inch led the United 93 girls in scoring. The defense was led by Kachine Logan, Emily Sween and Cassi Cannon. Thirty-nine girls teams were at the tournament, with 32 qualifying for four divisions.

Columbia Basin United co-founder Nick Wallace said the teams' performance was indicative of the sport's recent surge of success in the area.

"Until today, local youth soccer teams played exclusively in the recreational soccer leagues in eastern Washington," Wallace said in the release. "A handful of folks told us that nothing else was possible and that we were wasting our time. As usual, the kids proved the adults wrong."