YOUTH SOCCER: Tabagators ring up wins

Program collects many state crowns

The Neusport Futbol Club Tabagators dominated the recent Nevada State Cup soccer championships, with the girls winning four of eight age group titles and four other squads placing second in the state.

The Tabagators' under-19 squad was gunning for its seventh straight state title at press time, while three NFC boys teams also won state championships.

The Tabagators, named for longtime sponsor Tab Contractors, captured crowns in the under-11, under-12, under-15 and under-17 divisions, with all four squads advancing to the U.S. Youth Soccer Association's Western Regional Championships June 20-29 in Hawaii.

A second under-12 team, Tabagators '91 Green, also qualified for regionals, placing second in the state to Tabagators '91 White to earn a wild card berth.

"They're excited they're going to Hawaii," club director Saeed Bonabian said. "It's very special to see them succeed. All their hard work paid off. The kids work real hard all year. They're dedicated."

Champions from 14 states will compete for the regional title in Hawaii, along with a pair of wild card teams, in eight different age groups. Representing Nevada, the Tabagators will take on teams from Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Montana, Washington, Alaska, Oregon, Hawaii, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho and California North and California South.

Bonabian said the Tabagators '86 under-17 team should contend for the regional title. The squad, a virtual all-star team of local prep players, has won five straight state cups together and placed third in the region in 2001.

"They're hoping to make it to nationals and I think they have a good chance. They've beaten a bunch of the top teams in the nation," said Bonabian, head coach of the squad. "Last year, we had a bunch of injuries, but we're healthier right now than we've ever been, and we've worked harder on our conditioning."

In the state tournament, the team outscored its two opponents 20-0, 14-0 over Reno and 6-0 over Premier '86. Danielle Ghaffari of Bishop Gorman is the starting goalkeeper. The lone senior on the squad, she's earned a scholarship to California State University, Fullerton. Erin Horan of Green Valley split time in net with Ghaffari as the squad shut out its opponents at state for the fourth year in a row.

Stephanie Lee of Durango anchors the defense, which also features Jessica Torres, a sophomore from Chaparral who is a member of the Mexican Women's National Team. Centennial's Karlee Turley, Racquel Bray and Dani Davis also start on defense, along with Foothill's Kali Euteneier.

"It's misleading to call these players defenders since they are always looking to move forward and attack and score goals," Bonabian said. "We put a lot of pressure on the ball, our speed of play is really good and (so is) their intensity. They never let up."

Erica Jensen, a sophomore from Cimarron-Memorial, leads the midfield, along with Ashly O'Harrow of Cheyenne, Centennial's Mia Pierro and Sarah Pratt, Silverado's Natalie Griffin and Reno's Katie Albers.

Centennial's Rachel Gordon leads the squad in scoring and teams up with Cimarron-Memorial's Jessica Destito and Reno's Addi Boyd to make up one of the most potent front lines in the region.

"This team is one of the heaviest recruited teams in the nation," Bonabian said. "We developed these girls in our club. The team has been together since they were under 12. We start all the teams from the bottom up."

The Tabagators '88 Green u-15 team also features a plethora of local prep players and will travel to Europe this summer to compete in the Holland Cup and Norway Cup.

The team went 4-0 in the state cup, outscoring opponents 17-0 en route to the title, which was dedicated to Lola Torres, head coach Luis Torres' wife, who died during the season.

Centennial's Chelsea Hammack notched four shutouts in net and the team also features Centennial's Brooke Blaser, Aubrey Thompson, Ashley Webster and Cierra Boots; Cimarron-Memorial's Mandy Overall, Alexa Lemos, Jamie McCoy and Desirea Overall; Foothill's Becca Docchio and Ashley Masters; Bishop Gorman's Kelly Gaughan, Alexandra Barilla and Kelley Mulroy; Clark's Heather Thompson and Chaparral's Morgan Nichols. Devan Wellington rounds out the squad.

Three Tabagators teams advanced to the under-12 semifinals, with the White and Green teams playing to a 0-0 draw in double overtime. Jamie Nelson led the White squad to the win, playing flawlessly in goal throughout the contest, which ended in a shootout.

The under-12 champs also feature Bianca Cabrera, Gina Coleman, Lindsay Decker, Tatiana Garay, Shaunci Huffman, Kristen King, Raedean Kurtz, Stevey Markovich, Kristen McCandless, Lea Rohan, Morgan Romito, Megan Schiess, Janae Waters, Courtney Whitaker and Tawni Wilborn.

The under-11 champions outscored its four opponents, 8-1, at state. Goalkeeper Amanda Bradford notched three shutouts to spark the squad, which also includes Hannah Stevens, Faith Johannes, Sara Lein, Katie Greener, Breanna Lacailla, Kaylynn Burgess, Claire Colquitt, Karley Herbert, Kaelyn Kenner, Alisha Marstaeller, Amelia Martinez, Jordan Ness, Sydney Spoon, Audrey Swanson and McKenna Wilde.

The Tabagators feature more than 500 players from across Southern Nevada. There are 17 girls teams, ages 11 to 19; seven boys teams, ages 11-17; and more than 10 other youth teams, ages 5-10. Tryouts start June 15. Those interested can visit tabagators.org.

The Tabagators under-19 team, which was favored to win its seventh straight state title Saturday at Bettye Wilson Fields, is comprised almost entirely of college players. The squad features Bonanza graduates Blyndda Bascones (UNLV), Emily Bonabian (Northern Arizona), Elana Graham (UNR) and Alison Manley (Cochise Junior College); Bishop Gorman grads Jessica Brown (UNLV), Natalia Romo (Sacramento State) and Cayla Tyndall (Dominican); Clark's Ramona Acosta (UNR) and Amie Romney (Weber State); Centennial's Ashli Kimenker (Idaho State) and Nikki Olson (UNLV); Cheyenne's Brandy Alexander (Cochise); Silverado's Abbey Mathis (Eastern Washington); Palo Verde's Danielle Urban (William & Penn); Foothill's Lisa VanGorder (Northern Arizona); Cimarron-Memorial's Jesselle Yslas and Boulder City's Suzi Bicknell (Central Michigan).


<<--[back]