As they had at the close of the highly successful Spring Season, the BRYC U12B Lions (ODSL), coached by Carolos Merino, went on the road in search of another tournament championship.  Parent Melissa Yancy reports that they came back with the trophy after a second consecutive 4-win, 0-loss record, proving their strength over all challengers.

This time it was the Commonwealth Invitational, sponsored by the Dynamo Soccer Club in suburban Richmond.  The Lions arrived at the tournament on Saturday ready to end their season on a high note.  Taking the field for their first match against the Monticello United Red Devils, they immediately set the pace, working the ball down the field with beautiful crossover’s right to the goal.  Without losing stride, they kept the pressure on the Devil’s the entire game, finishing with a 4-0 win.

As they had at the close of the highly successful Spring Season, the BRYC U12B Lions (ODSL), coached by Carolos Merino, went on the road in search of another tournament championship.  Parent Melissa Yancy reports that they came back with the trophy after a second consecutive 4-win, 0-loss record to prove their strength over all challengers.

This time it was the Commonwealth Invitational, sponsored by the Dynamo Soccer Club in suburban Richmond.  The Lions arrived at the tournament on Saturday ready to end their season on a high note.  Taking the field for their first match against the Monticello United Red Devils, they immediately set the pace, working the ball down the field with beautiful crossover’s right to the goal.  Without losing stride, they kept the pressure on the Devil’s the entire game, finishing with a 4-0 win.

With less than 90 minutes rest before their second game (against a team that had a five-hour break after its earlier match) the Lion’s second game was with the SOCA Challenge Navy Revolution, a very competitive team that had traveled from Charlottesville.  SOCA had won its first game of the day by a score of 3-0 and scored against the Lions early in the contest.  They might have thought this would be another easy contest but quickly realized that this team was going to keep the pressure on. Indeed, the Lions settled in, controlling the game and showing their skills and teamwork with some beautiful goals, ending the game 3-1.  The SOCA team ended the tournament in second place, with a clean sheet in its two games on Sunday so, as it turned out, this was the most hotly contested match of the tournament.

On Sunday, the day’s games began with an overcast sky and saw the Lions facing the Fluvanna Force who were looking for their first tournament win.  It was not to be.  The Lions quickly dominated the game and showcased some amazing foot skills.  Passing the ball around, over and through Fluvanna, the Lions kept up the pace.  With some great assists they ended the game 6-1. 

Once again coming back after a very short rest between games, the Lions came back to the field for their final match-up against the host team from Dynamo SC.  After three tough earlier games, Dynamo was apparently worn out.  They didn’t want to let the game go without a fight, but proved no match for the Lions, who had their defenders moving up to play offense, as the team completed its run to the tournament championship with a 7-0 victory.

Congratulations to Coach Merino for a regular season that ended with only one loss (to their perennial nemesis the VISTA Barrio Boys) and another well-earned tournament championship.