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Published on 09/07/1998 All articles from this issue

Local soccer team is no 'Flash' in the pan

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By Vincent Tsai

Town Crier Editorial Intern

One soccer team making its presence felt in the area is the Portola Valley Flash, which includes Los Altos residents Leah Bressack, Linda Crites, Katie Morgan and Sara Stern.

But the under-17 girls CYSA Class I soccer team doesn't emerge victorious solely because of skills and endurance. It also wins with intelligence.

The team sports an impressive cumulative grade-point average of 3.90 and this significantly contributes to the success of the Flash, according to team manager John Wachtel.

"As a team, what distinguishes us is that we always stress education first. How well you do in school is proportionate to how well you perform on the soccer field," Wachtel said.

Since the beginning of the season, the Flash has taken its competition by storm, compiling a record of 14-1-1. In just the first month of play, the team outscored its opponents 69-9, and posted a remarkable 12 shutouts.

"I've been amazed at how well we've done, it's been real exciting," midfielder Allison Wagner said.

With about 20 games left in the season, who knows how many more wins and shutouts the Flash can accumulate.

Late last month the Flash captured the Santa Rosa Invitational tournament.

The team competed in three other tournaments in August, winning two of them and appearing in the final of the other.

"That game that we lost was the worst game we played. But other than that, I'm happy with the way the season has worked out," Wagner said.

One strength of the team is its defense. The Flash entered September allowing an average of just a half a goal per game.

"I'm really impressed with our team's defense. The girls' performance has been exceptional. When the offense meets the organization of the defense, we will be more dominant," Wachtel said.

The defense is anchored by goalie Stern, along with defenders Crites, Morgan, Liana Merchant, Erin Ruck and Hanna Wachtel.

In addition to its defense, the team is blessed with a formidable coaching staff according to Wachtel.

"I would have to say that the coaching staff is another reason for our success. The coaches have been very cooperative with the players in terms of what they need to improve and what they should do," Wachtel said.

The team is coached by Gary Ireland and Peter Horvath. When Ireland took over the coaching duties, the squad was still an AYSO soccer team.

"This team grew out of an AYSO soccer team and since the inception of our excellent coaching staff, we have really taken off," Wachtel said.

However, Wachtel also