2009 U.S. Club / NorCal Premier State Cup Results (Jan 5)

MSC Top Gun's 2009 U10 Boys team, ALPHA, made it the U.S. Club / NorCal Premier State Cup, Silver Division, Championship Final for the second season in the row. After a hard-fought battle in regular time (1-1), plus going into 2 "golden-goal' over-time halves, ALPHA lost to the Diablo Hurricanes in penalty kicks, 3-1.

Top Gun-ALPHA absolutely and completely out-played the Hurricanes in regular time, playing great passing soccer. ALPHA just wasn't able to pull off the win. The Hurricanes played great defensive soccer, swarming our out-standing veteran forwards, Ethan Veirs & Jordan Young. The Hurricanes knew who they needed to stop to keep us from scoring. Our ALPHA defense, including Noah Shulkin, Cade Bader & Kyle Maechler also made it difficult for the Hurricanes to score.

"I truly believe I had the best trained U10 boys' soccer team in the whole State Cup Tournament. Each player has their own special talent & skill and when you put all these boys together, they are an incredible & creative passing team. They move well on the field, always thinking and using each other to create the right play, just at the right time and coming up with the best solutions all on their own. Elijah Palmatier already thinks like a professional. I am so proud of this team and I know they have a great future." states Coach Joe.

Top Gun's U9/U10, combined MAVERICKS/BRAVO team was able to advance to the Championship Round-Robin of the final weekend of State Cup. I am also proud of this team because of how young they are and who they are. They never let up during any of the games. It was a lot of fun watching these boys play with lots of heart and putting every effort they had into every game.

All of these boys, including Kris Mehl, James Frizzell, Griffin Hass, Jackson Ryan, Manning LeMoine, Brady Peterson & Drake DiGiorno, have enormous potential for becoming great players with continued training and love for the game.

This 2009 season, I am most proud of my Top Gun, U13 Boys' team, VICTORY. They did not qualify for State Cup, but for a team that lost every game during regular season play, not one time did I see these boys ever give up. Their continued positive attitudes and support for each other as a team, especially from Chris Khoury, Jonathan Heideman, Alex Vitmer, Jr, Josh Hester, Luke Johnson and Aaron Shulkin - they must be commended. This team of boys, whom never played comp soccer, let alone, together as a team, competed against some of the best competitive club teams in the area whom have been playing comp soccer and together for years. This VICTORY team is a great example of perserverance, dedication & determination.

MSC Top Gun-PRIMA, our U12 Girls' team had its share of ups & downs this 2009 season. We have a great core of excellent players, including Dominique Mihaljevic, Caitlin Bader, Gabriella O'Connor, Shaniah Bridges, Mackenzie Hooper & Stephanie Arrol. But with such an inconsistent roster due to behind the scenes club issues, it was difficult for the team to really band together. Top Gun-PRIMA did manage to make it to the quarter-finals of State Cup and I am very proud of their season's performance. It is with great hope that I can continue to develop this girls' team because I know they have the talent & skills to be the best team for their age group.

Lastly, MSC Top Gun would not be successful without the help, support & enthusiasm of all our 2009 club families. With their volunteer work, outstanding friendship & encouragement, I cannot possible thank everyone enough for their valuable time, commitment and dedication to me and MSC Top Gun. Special "Thank-You's" go out out to Stephan & Jutta Mehl, Jayanth Pingili, Dick Wertman, Christine Bader & Tamara O'Connor.

I especially want to thank my 2009 Administrative Staff, which included Christy Sarabia, Terry Maechler, Lyn Wertman & Andrea Young. I have often heard it said that it is the mundane clerical assistance in a business or organization that makes an establishment thrive and become successful. I applaude you all!

Of course, I cannot forget my talented & dependable Assistant Coaching Staff, which includes Mike Woods, Tim Kesselring, Anthony DiGiorno, Ron Bader & Jay Ramey. The dedication & commitment these gentlemen unselfishly provided to MSC Top Gun for 2009 is undeniable. This 2009 season would not have been possible without their help & support. THANK YOU!

I absolutely must thank my wife, Lynette, for her complete allegiance, belief, commitment, devotion & loyalty in what I do. She stands by me through the best & worst of times and is my rock. Without the confidence she has in me, I would not be able to do what I love most - and that is teach soccer. Lynette endures many of the hardships of running a competitive club and I completely admire her for her strength and continued encouragment to keep the club going. I know by having her by my side, everything will be OK.

Thanks for a great 2009 soccer season and looking forward to the opportunity of providing another round of fun soccer in 2010!

2008 Girls U.S. Club / NorCal Premier State Cup (Feb '09)

First year competitive soccer club, MSC Top Gun U11 Girls, Air Strike, out of Folsom, California made it all the way to the Semi-Finals of the U.S. Club / NorCal Premier State Cup Tournament held in Manteca, California . 

After finishing 2nd in NorCal Premier League play, Top Gun-Air Strike, went undefeated in the preliminary rounds for State Cup competition. 

Dominique, Mihaljevic's daughter, was the team's "Leading Goal-Scorer" with 17 goals in league and tournament play.

~

2008 U9 Boys U.S. Club/NorCal Premier State Cup Champions, Alpha & Bravo! (Nov '08)

On November 23, 2008 - only 8 months into MSC Top Gun's inaugural year, both U9 Boys' competitive teams, Alpha & Bravo, won Double State Cup Championship titles.

Top Gun-Alpha went undefeated in the U.S. Club Soccer & NorCal Premier Soccer League State Cup Tournament, held in Manteca, California. Jordan Young was the team's "Leading Goal Scorer" with 14 goals for league & tournament play.

Top Gun-Bravo, the club's 2nd team, also won the State Cup in their division. Elijah Palmatier was named the team's "Most Valuable Player". The '08 State Cup Tournament were both teams only 2nd tournament appearance since the start of the club in March 2008. Way to go!!

~

2008 Mihaljevic Soccer Club (MSC) Top Gun (Dec '08)

• Alpha Team: Undefeated State Cup Champions, U9 Boys
• Bravo Team: State Cup Champions, U9 Boys
• Air Strike Team: State Cup Semi-Finalist, U11 Girls