Maliblue Cougars take third in tourney

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The Maliblue Cougars (front, from left): Charlotte Dyne, Tea Petretti, Chloe Dyne, Sasha Vogel, Sarah Konopaske; (back row, from left) Hannah Taub, Maya Callaway-Thorpe, coach Mark Konopaske, Ashana Ross and Madison Smith placed third at the 15th annual Simi Valley New Year’s Tournament. The Maliblue Cougars GU10 Tournament Team secured a third-place finish in the 15th Annual Simi Valley New Year’s Tournament. Photo courtesy of the Maliblue Cougars

During the three-day tournament, the Malibu team earned a 4-2 win over a Simi Valley All-Star team and a 3-1 victory over a Newbury Park Extra Team. The Cougars fell 2-1 in their third game to a Moorpark All-Star Team.

Despite the loss, the team’s 2-1 record and 19 points got the Cougars to the four-team playoff medal round on New Year’s Day.

In the Jan. 1 round, the Maliblue Cougars went up against the number one-seeded Ventura All-Star Team, which had a 3-0 record including two shutouts and 29 points. The Malibu girls scored first, but the Ventura team had a 2-1 lead at halftime. Late in the game, the Ventura team received a controversial penalty kick, securing the win and leaving the Cougars out of the championship round.

The Malibu girls redeemed themselves in the final game by earning a decisive 7-1 win over a Simi Valley All-Star Team, securing their third-place finish in the tournament.