Salmon Creek soccer team reaches semifinals

The F.C. Salmon Creek Nemesis 94 girls soccer team reached the semifinals of the U.S. Youth Soccer President’s Cup Far West regional tournament, played Thursday through Sunday in Medford Ore.

Playing in the under-15 age group, the Nemesis went 2-1 in group play, then lost in double overtime in Saturday’s semifinals to California South representative, Fram CQ.

The semifinal match was scoreless until 20 minutes after halftime, when Kavita Battan finished off a corner kick from Katya Moctezuma. Fram CQ tied it minutes later, and then scored the winner with two minutes left in the second extra period.

The President’s Cup tournaments are for developmental-level teams and are different from the regional championships taking place this week in New Mexico. The Nemesis qualified for this tournament by winning the Washington Youth Soccer Challenge Cup, which is the second level state tournament in Washington.

After dropping their first regional game to the Palmdale Thunder, the Nemesis beat the Arizona entry on goals by Mariko Chopp, Battan and Kadijah Kirkland. They followed with a 2-0 win over the Oregon entry on goals scored by Samantha Wilson and Battan.

Playing for the Nemesis were goalkeeper Shiori Baba, Battan, Bianca Caruso, Chopp, Amy Glasow, Taylor Herseim, Megan Hoo, Kirkland, Mecca Krutsinger, Moctezuma, Savanna Steed, Jennifer Turkington, Alexandria Villanueva, Wilson and Elizabeth Yankee. The Nemesis was coached by Victor Garcette assisted by Kevan Battan.

• The Vancouver United Timbers Blue 93 Boys under-16 team tied for fifth place at the President’s Cup in Medford. The team went 2-1 in group play but did not advance to the semifinals.

On Thursday, Timber Blue 93 lost to the Apple Valley Storm from Southern California, 3-1. On Friday, the Timbers came back to defeat the Tualatin-Hillsboro Kryptonite, 3-0. On Saturday, the Timbers defeated the Las Vegas Downtown Rapids 3-1. Bobby Hutchin scored 3 goals in the tournament, with Jonah Nibler, Corey Davidson and Austin Saban picking up one goal apiece.

Playing for the Timber Blue 93 were Ryan Cebula, Danny Cohen, Davidson, Will Fanning, Cole Howard, Bobby Hutchin, Toby Martin, Kyle Miller, Jordan Montenegro, Nibler, David Orchard, Saban, Keith Thorkildson, Kevin Vazquez and Joseph Whalen. Coaches were Johnathon Davidson, Kimberly Davidson and Mike Martin.

U.S. Youth Soccer Far West Championships — Both Columbia Timbers boys soccer teams at the regional championships lost their openers on Monday.

In the under-17 tournament, New Mexico entry EFC Gladiators beat the Timbers 4-1. In the under-19 tournament, Westside Metros from Beaverton beat the Timbers 4-2.

Monday was the first of three pool play games for each team.

They qualified for the regionals by winning Washington Youth Soccer Championship Cup titles.