We learned a lot about the Inferno 12 girls over the course of the weekend in Gilbert at the AYSO Arizona Cup tournament. We learned that the Inferno 12 girls don’t give up if a game doesn’t start out quite the way they had wanted. We learned that the Inferno 12 girls don’t give up if an overzealous official stalls the game. We learned that the Inferno 12 girls don’t give up if the game goes a little beyond the normal physicality. But most importantly, we also learned that the Inferno 12 girls DON’T GIVE UP GOALS! Four different goalkeepers combined to post a clean sheet over four games to give the Inferno 12 girls their second gold medal in as many attempts as they dominated their opposition at Legacy Sports Complex.

Shutout number 1 saw Caitlyn start in goal against the AYSO Bondy team. Caitlyn made three saves in the first half both inside the box and outside of it and both Addie and Emma each scored two goals apiece giving Inferno a 4-0 win. Evelyn finished up in goal making two saves and unleashing a rocket of a punt that got all the way down to Emma for the fourth goal of the game and Evelyn’s second assist on the season from the goalkeeper position.

Shutout number 2 took place on Saturday afternoon with Inferno hosting the AYSO Ashcraft team. Paylie took her turn in goal making two saves including one on a breakaway that could have swung the momentum of the game to AYSO. Instead, Inferno took a 2-0 lead into halftime and looked to Caitlyn and Maddison to finish it out in goal. The second half started just like the first as Inferno controlled the play for most of the half. AYSO got close to ending the shutout toward the end of the second half but Maddie came up with four saves to secure the clean sheet. Addie had two goals and Emma and Anastasia each added one to complete the 4-0 victory.

Shutout number 3 vs AYSO Warren was blessed to have the worlds greatest referee attached to it. If you don’t believe me, you can ask him. He will gladly spend 3 minutes explaining it to you. In all seriousness though, this game was never close. Inferno controlled the play in the midfield and in the upper third. Emma, Izzy, Irelynn, Caitlyn, and Addie all had goals and Olivia topped it off with two more of her own. Paylie and Evelyn were once again solid in goal as they kept the back of the net clean once again tallying 9 saves between them to secure the 7-0 victory.

It was Inferno vs Surf in the finals to determine the Championship of the AYSO Arizona Cup. Surf came into the game with a reputation of being a little more than just physical and they certainly lived up to their reputation.

Shutout number 4 vs Surf was a tale of two halves. Surf controlled the play for most of the first half but thanks to Paylie and her nine saves, they had nothing to show for it. Not only did Paylie stop everything that came her way, she also assisted on Emma’s first goal of the game to give Inferno a 1-0 lead. Surf continued to keep the pressure on until right before halftime when Olivia launched a shot from behind midfield that bounced over the keepers head and into the net for a 2-0 lead. There was still work to do, but that was the dagger. The flow of the game changed in that moment. Possession favored Inferno in the second 25 minutes as the forward combination of Emma, Izzy, Ellie, Anastasia, and Lainey kept the ball on the Surf side of the field for most of the half while the midfield and defense pushed up and helped keep it there. Addie drove the final nail in the coffin with Inferno’s third goal in the final minutes to kick off the celebration.

In total, Inferno outscored their opponents in this tournament 18-0 in winning their second championship of this young season.

The Inferno 12 girls open up league play next weekend against Pima Surf. Time to strap on the
boots and get ready. It gets real from here.