It was under 14 minutes in the championship match of the Memorial Super Cup between Matrix Elite U17G and Scottsdale (Ariz.) Blackhawks. Matrix was down 3-2 when Coach Hector Romo moved his daughter Briana from center back to forward. The move paid off as Brianna drilled home the tying goal. With minutes left in the match, winger Jeny Tapia maneuvered her way down the left flank and curled in a shot that dropped just inside the far post, sealing a dramatic 4-3 victory for our U17G team in the Memorial Super Cup on May 24. It was an emotional win for Coach Romo, in his last match with the team that he has guided as coach or assistant coach since the girls were U10. South Bay Matrix is so often about family, and that was never more evident than in this last match for several players who are soon graduating high school and moving off to college or military careers. It could not have been scripted better with Brianna scoring the tying goal and Jeny the game winner in their last match together with Coach Romo, who will continue coaching his U12G team next season. Matrix South Bay Director of Coaching Memo Medina will take the reigns of this talented group of ladies as the team reloads for next year as U19G Matrix Elite. For now, however, parents and players relished the victory in a tough, physical match that saw yellow cards earned by both squads. Parents and players thanked coaches Hector Romo and Ronaldo Tapia (their first Matrix coach and Jeny’s father) for their dedication and support. Credit was given to Blackhawks soccer as a good, athletic side and quality competition.
Matrix South Bay congratulates each of our U17G graduating seniors Jeny Tapia, Nicole Rea, Bri Romo, Jazmine Garcia, and Alex Valenzuela. Going out as champions!
South Bay Matrix FC - AYSO United 