The Strikers, a girls under 14 AYSO team, struck gold when they rolled to a 9-1-1 record to take the Region 27 crown, then backed that up by claiming the silver by finishing second in the sectional tournament.

Three shutout victories vaulted the Strikers into the section title game. Ally Doles scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win in the opener, and Hanna Nielson scored two goals in a 2-0 win later the same day.

A day later, the Strikers were locked in a scoreless tie with Pacifica when a Nicole Gragnola cross was bobbled by the goalie and Holly Mueller knocked the ball into the net with just over four minutes left to play.

The win drove the Strikers into the sectional championship game, but they lost 3-0 to Hillsborough to wind up second overall.

Sweeper Monika Mikl and fullbacks Sarah Hanson, Sangita Annamalai and Sarah Blegen were defensive standouts in the tournament.

"This had to be the best experience I have ever had as a sports coach," said head coach Dave Gragnola. "This team had great heart and they were rewarded by their efforts with a season they will never forget."

The Strikers earned their place in the sectional along with other area winners with a 9-1-1 showing in the regular season and four shutout wins in the area tournament.

A goal by Nielson in the final minutes of play lifted the Strikers to a 1-0 win over the Saratoga Panthers in the area tournament championship game. The two teams had tied during the regular season.

The Strikers opened the tourney with a 1-0 win over the Saratoga Hot Tamales, the only team to beat the Strikers this year, on a Monika Mikl goal off a Nielson cross. Goalkeeper Gragnola shut down the Hot Tamales the rest of the way to help her team clinch the win.

Arya Parhar knocked in two goals and center fullback Annamalai and keepers Rachel Prabhu and Mueller led the defensive showing in a 4-0 win over Team Watsonville.

The Strikers advanced to the finals with a 4-0 win over San Jose United. Fullbacks Hansen, Blegen and Connie Chiou led the defense.

"This team had four superb goalies and a defense that was hard to beat," said the coach. "We also had some gifted forwards and halfbacks that could score at any time."