The 99 Nike boys went to Washington this Summer to play in the Nike Crossfire Challenge. The 99 boys were in the U13 Gold Division (the top division in this age group) of the tournament.

  

We started our week with a scrimmage against the Washington 97 Swoosh team at Kasch Park in low 50's high 40 degree temperature with a constant breeze, which we won 3-0. After our scrimmage with our fellow Rush team we all had dinner at the park. It was a very enjoyable time.

  

The tournament started on Saturday under sunny skies, I believe that it was in the low 80's with a slight breeze blowing across 60 Acres Park. Our first game of the tournament was against the Crossfire Premier B99-James and we won 4-1, game scorers were Shandon "Brother" Hopeau (2), Jacob Correa (1) and Dylan Cabalang (1).

  

The following day (Sunday) we started at 8am against Cobra Premier Strike 4-0, the game scorers were Chay "Boogie" Mattos (1), Shandon "Brother" Hopeau, Efren Martinez and Conrad Newfield. Our afternoon game was against Coastal FC which we beat 6-0, game scorers were Chay "Boogie" Mattos (4), Luke Wyman and Shandon "Brother" Hopeau.

  

Monday the same temperature and a nice, sunny day started early again with a 8am semi-final match against the Washington State Champions Crossfire Premier 98-James. It was a hard fought game that provided our fans a lot to cheer about. We went up early in the match with a goal from Dylan Cabalang, but was equalized before the half. We started the second half of the match on the attack and had a great free kick by Chay "Boogie" Mattos from about 30 yards out which hit off the crossbar and then 5 minutes later got another shot from just outside the box by Shandon "Brother" Hopeau which pinged off the crossbar again. Then with about 15 minutes left in the match Luke Wyman scored the game winning goal from the left side of the field from 20 yards out which made the final at 2-1 in our favor.

  

The Championship match was played against Washington Premier FC who played the Washington State Cup Finalist Eastside FC and beat them 5-0 in their semi-final match. In that match we went down pretty early in the game when Washington Premier had a ball in the box that just wouldn't leave. After about 2 saves by our keeper Rusty Crowder and a few unsuccessful attempts and clearing the ball out they put the ball into the back of the net. With about 10 minutes left in the 1st half Daniel Woo got a clean shot from the right side of the 18 that hit the far post and into the back of the net. The score was even at the half and stayed that way until Boogie Mattos hit a ball from about 25 yards out on the right side of the 18 that went into the side netting of the far post. The Washington Premier keeper had no chance on the save. We kept Washington Premier at bay for the remaining 15 minutes and won the Nike Crossfire Challenge with the score of 2-1 in the final match.

  

I wanted to give all the praise and glory to the Lord for blessing us all and congratulate all of the players for all their hard work and determination. Special thanks to Team Manager Lorelei "Peachy" Crowder, Manager on the trip Jen Alejado, Assistant Coaches Darin Akiona and Malcolm Crowder, Washington Rush for guest players Brian Huynh, Efren Martinez, Carlos and Erick Carillo and the entire Cheering Section of the Hawaii Rush 99 Nike Boys Team.

  

Thank you all it was a trip that I will remember forever.

 RUSH 97B NIKE
Coach Jeremiah Johnson