Beach Futbol Club cruises into Girls DA U-16/17 quarterfinals

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(Via U.S. Soccer) – After a cagey opening hour, Beach Futbol Club exploded for three goals in six minutes, the opener coming from Tanner Cahalan and two from Mmasiolu Gamero, who would later add a third, as Beach Futbol Club downed Cedar Stars Academy – Monmouth, 4-0, on Thursday evening in the 2019 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Girls U-16/17 Playoffs.

With the victory, Beach Futbol Club won Group G and advanced to Saturday’s quarterfinal round.

Beach Futbol Club broke the deadlock in the 64th minute as Cahalan scored to give the Long Beach club a 1-0 advantage. Makayla DeMelo sent in a corner kick that landed inside the six-yard box and it was Cahalan that was quickest to react to it, poking home the opening goal.

Just three minutes later Gamero doubled the lead for Beach Futbol Club. Drew Coomans had the ball on the right wing and sent in a low cross, just as she was being closed down by a defender, finding Gamero all alone in front of goal. Gamero collected it and fired into the roof of the net from close range to give Beach Futbol Club a 2-0 lead in the 67th minute.

Just as they had following the first goal, Gamero and Coomans combined three minutes later to give Beach Futbol Club a 3-0 lead in the 70th minute. Collecting a through ball from DeMelo in midfield, Coomans took a touch to create separation from a Cedar Stars Academy – Monmouth defender before sending a low cross to Gamero, who was once again all alone in front of goal, finishing past a helpless Claire Gaston in goal for Cedar Stars Academy – Monmouth.

Six minutes before time, DeMelo nearly added a fourth as she worked her way into the box and around a defender but an outstanding save by Gaston ended the chance for Beach Futbol Club.

In the 88th minute, Lauren Bruno had a chance to score from the penalty spot for Cedar Stars Academy – Monmouth as the New Jersey club was awarded its second penalty of the day, but the shot hit the bar and Beach Futbol Club preserved its clean sheet.

Three minutes into stoppage time at the end of the 90, Gamero scored a fourth for Beach Futbol Club, her third of the game, to close the scoring.

The first look at goal for either side came in the 17th minute when Cedar Stars Academy – Monmouth forced a turnover that came to the feet of Bruno, who looked up and fired at goal but sent her shot wide.

Two minutes later Beach Futbol Club had an opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot but stopped the penalty. DeMelo ran past a defender before being tripped in the box, with the referee pointing to the spot. Gamero had the responsibility of taking the penalty, shooting to Gaston’s left, but the Cedar Stars Academy – Monmouth goalkeeper made the stop to keep the game scoreless.

Wendie Fisher for Cedar Stars Academy – Monmouth had a look at goal in the 25th minute as she cut in from the right and curled a shot toward the far post, but Fisher’s effort went just wide.

Both teams continued to look for the opening goal the remainder of the half but neither side was able to unlock the defense of the other as Beach Futbol Club and Cedar Stars Academy – Monmouth ended the opening 45 minutes at 0-0.

After the intermission, the stalemate between Beach Futbol Club and Cedar Stars Academy – Monmouth continued as the game neared the hour mark until Beach Futbol Club was whistled for a handball in the box and the referee gave the second penalty of the game.

Fisher was the player to take the penalty for Cedar Stars Academy – Monmouth, but she skied the chance over the bar in the 61st minute as the game remained scoreless.

Beach Futbol Club would score the opener three minutes later, starting a barrage of offense from the Southern California club who will be in action again on Saturday, June 29, in the quarterfinals of the 2019 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Girls U-16/17 Playoffs.