A soccer squad from Malibu is heading 126 miles inland to compete in an all-star event at the end of the month. The Malibu Surfriders BU14 All-Star Team will play in the AYSO Section 10 All-Star Invitational in Bakersfield on Feb. 27-28.
The 14-member Surfriders team advanced to the tourney after sweeping through the Area 10/E Championships with a 9-0 record last month in Moorpark.
Coach Tim Silvestre said the team of the 14-year-old boys is deep in soccer talent, physically strong and loaded with heart.
“Many of the boys on the team have played AYSO soccer together for seven years and they know and trust each other,” Silvestre said. “The competition in Bakersfield will be deep and skillful and if the Surfriders play their best we all feel the team can do well in the tournament.”
Malibu was crowned the Area 10/E titlists after beating a tough Moorpark squad 3-0 in the event’s championship game on Jan. 24.
Alden Silvestre scored the game’s first point to give Malibu a 1-0 lead before halftime. Landon Amaral tallied Malibu’s second point early in the fourth period. A few minutes later, Amaral drew a penalty kick for the Surfriders when he was fouled attacking the Moorpark goal. Evan Geft then scored on the penalty shot to give Malibu the three-point win.
The Surfriders rang up at total of 38 goals during their championship run with scores coming from multiple players including Amaral, Diego Franco, Alden, Trumann Gettings, Xavier Commerford, Evan Geft and Tommy Averna.
Primary goalie Nick Reinhold anchored the squad’s defense, only allowing six scores throughout the tournament. Trumann also spent some time guarding the net for the Surfriders.