MARYSVILLE — With a down economy, it was only natural that turnout for Marysville Youth Soccer’s annual Strawberry Classic Tournament dipped as well.

Even so, more than 50 select and recreational teams with players ranging in age from 10 to 18 competed in the annual tournament which took place July 30 to Aug. 2 at the 152nd Street Complex. A few scattered games also took place at Strawberry Fields Complex, about a mile east of the fields maintained by the Marysville Youth Soccer Club.

Washington Rush Swoosh 3, Marysville Dragons 0

Although the Marysville Dragons had just one practice coming into the Strawberry Classic weekend, coach Carmel Santana and the team believed in their ability to compete in the U15 girls category.

“We’re a rec team, we’re not a select team,” she said. “We’re playing to get more practice.”

Even so, when the girls drew the much more practiced Washington Rush Swoosh team in their second game of the tournament on Aug. 1, they played a scoreless game well into the second half.

Goalkeeper Carley Moberg did her job well, clearing more than one Swoosh attempt as the game was fought frequently on the Dragons’ side of the midfield line. In the first half, striker Mandy Klesick had a breakaway attempt and tried setting up another.

However, with temperatures getting well into the 80s, the heat became a factor, along with the select team’s endurance. Swoosh scored three goals on the Dragons in about the last 15 minutes of the game, sealing the victory.

“It was evenly matched for about three-quarters of the game,” said Santana, who coaches her daughter Haley on the team. “They’re a feisty team.”

The Dragons were likely preparing for the soccer club’s fall season, which is just around the corner.

Washington Rush M97 Nike 6,

Tynecastle 1

Playing in the U12 boys division, the Washington Rush Nike team demonstrated that even though they are young, they are serious about soccer.

Coming off of two convincing wins, the local boys select squad added a third win by five or more goals in the morning game Aug. 1. Striker Carlos Carrillo was critical to the team’s first-half success, scoring a hat trick. Omar Flores scored in the last 10 seconds of the first half give the boys a 5-0 lead after 30 minutes.

“We played really well in the first half, connecting passes together. Our transition defense to offense was fantastic,” said Rush coach Terry McCord.

Carrillo shifted to defense for the second half and the offense slowed down accordingly, adding one goal and allowing one for a 6-1 final score.

It’s only the team’s second year playing together, but the boys demonstrated an intuitive sense for their game plan, passing well up and down the field and recognizing where teammates would be.

Last year the team played under Pacific Premier, which became Washington Rush soccer club.

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