PHOENIX – Real Salt Lake-Arizona Elite completed another successful weekend of Arizona State League play on Saturday, taking back two wins and one draw from three games to Grande Sports World.
Real Salt Lake-Arizona Elite U-17 2-0 Scottsdale Blackhawks
After a few weeks of inconsistent results, RSL-AZ Elite U-17 sought to turn around their fortunes at Scottsdale Sports Complex against the Scottsdale Blackhawks.
The Claret-and-Cobalt continued to search for their form in the first half, struggling to connect on the offensive side of the ball, but the defense held strong to take the clean sheet into half time.
In the second half, a much-improved RSL-AZ found their passing touch, holding the majority of possession, which led to an eventual goal from Duncan Storey to open up the scoring.
Mathias Baboun doubled RSL-AZ’s lead later in the half, getting the 17s back on track with a 2-0 win over the Blackhawks.
Real Salt Lake-Arizona Elite U-18 2-2 Tucson Soccer Academy
RSL-AZ Elite U-18 then took on Tucson Soccer Academy at Friendship Park in Avondale. Darian Huerta opened the scoring for RSL-AZ, converting from the penalty spot for the 1-0 lead.
Tucson Soccer Academy fought back after going a goal down, scoring back-to-back goals to take a 2-1 lead over the Claret-and-Cobalt.
RSL-AZ Elite U-18 then netted an equalizer on a cross from the wing to Alex Vedamanikam, who ran onto the ball and tapped in at the near post to bring the game to an eventual 2-2 final score.
Real Salt Lake-Arizona Elite U-16 3-0 Canyon del Oro
In the final match of the weekend, RSL-AZ Elite U-16 looked to extend their two-match winning and shutout streaks against Canyon del Oro at the Fear Farm Sports Complex in Phoenix.
Just six minutes into the match, Jarrett Shrum opened the scoring for the Claret-and-Cobalt, cutting onto his right foot from 15 yards out and firing across goal toward the far post for the early 1-0 lead.
Kyle Hellmann then doubled the lead in the 18th minute, cutting off a pass along the del Oro back line and finishing low around the keeper to give RSL-AZ a two-goal lead that they’d take into the half time break.
In the 55th minute Josh Allison got on the score sheet, rocketing a shot off the del Oro keeper’s fingertips, off the post and in for a commanding 3-0 RSL-AZ lead.
The 16s would hold onto their 3-0 lead until the final whistle, extending both their win streak and shutout streak to three games in Arizona State League play.
All three Real Salt Lake-Arizona Elite teams will be in action in the upcoming slate of games on Saturday, October 25. RSL-AZ Elite U-16 kick off versus Sereno at 9:55 a.m. on Friendship Park Field 3. RSL-AZ Elite U-17 then take on Tucson Soccer Academy at 3:20 p.m. on Udall Park Field E. Finally, RSL-AZ Elite go head-to-head with USA United at 8:05 p.m. on Friendship Park Field 3.