Springfield SAA U12 girls are champs

The champion U12 Cougars:are (first row) Lily Clair, Rosie McKnight, Bailey O'Brien, Julianne Clemens, Abbey Johnson, (second row) Paige Dezzi, Jill Kane, Kaily Crystle, Emily McGuire, (third row) Coach Dave Tijarian, Mackenzie Schott, Gianna Zulli, Bridget Whitaker, Stephanie McCann, Georgia Apostolu and Coach Gil Crystle.

The SAA's U12 girls’ travel soccer team won its second straight PAGS championship in dramatic fashion. The Cougars worked hard all season with all 14 girls giving 110 percent and finishing the regular season 5-2-1 and second place with a 5-2-1 record.

The Cougars advanced to the play-offs and won their semi-final game last Saturday against NPAA in a 2-1 come-from-behind victory.

The next day, the girls went on to defeat the first place River Hornets 2-1 in a penalty kick shoot-out. Gianna Zulli scored the tying goal as the fourth shooter in the penalty kick round to force a second round. The Cougars eighth shooter, Rosie McKnight, fired a laser into the lower left corner to score the game-winning goal.

Lily Clair defended the goal throughout the game with tenacity, and showed total dominance during the penalty kick round, allowing one goal and making seven saves to clinch the championship.