The Lompoc United boys under-12 All-Star soccer team, representing region 77, beat the Valencia All-Star team 1-0 to win the California State Championship on Sunday, April 2 in Irvine.

The state championship pits the winners of American Youth Soccer Organization Sections 1,10 and 11. These sections represent approximately 40% of all of AYSO players and consist of teams from San Francisco to the border of Mexico.

Before reaching the State Tournament, the boys had to first win the Area Q All-Star Tournament covering teams from the Central Coast.

They next went on to win the Section 10 All-Star Tournament which includes teams from the San Fernando Valley to Southern San Francisco.

At the State Tournament, Lompoc beat Section 11 champion Pasadena 5-1 in the morning semi-final game.

Pasadena was thoroughly dominated by Lompoc/s speed, aggressiveness and precision passing. Pasadena/s lone goal came on a penalty kick.

In the afternoon finals, Lompoc played a very tough and familiar Valencia team. The two teams met once before in the championship game of the Section 10 Tournament in Bakersfield. That game ended in a 1-1 tie with Lompoc winning in a shoot out. Once again the finals was a hard fought game.

Lompoc controlled most of the game offensively with shots on goal and outstanding ball control from Mario Barrigan and Bernardo Rubio, with Stevie Pico and Stephen Dalton on the wings but could not net a goal.

The defense thwarted any kind of threat with solid play from Drew Sapp, Kyle Townsend, Arturo Zaragosa and Gustavo Cortez.

Two-way players Kenneth Pina and Arthur Nelson kept the pressure on from both sides of the field.

In the 43rd minute, Rodrigo Valasquez found the upper right corner of the net with a hard shot from 20 yards out.

That was all Lompoc needed with the defense holding firm and the outstanding goal play from Bricio Chavez to ensure the shutout.

&#8220This was a total team effort. We don/t have individuals on this team,C said coaches Mitch Sapp and Greg Dalton. Also assisting the team were Steven Pico, Art Nelson and Arturo Zaragosa. The coaches would like to thank the parents and all who supported the kids throughout their successful season.

Lompoc United finishes the season 39-1, having amassed 195 goals, while giving up just 33 and notching 20 shut outs.

April 6, 2006