McLean’s U11 All-Star Girls team captured the 10th Annual Herndon Cup Soccer Tournament championship over the November 19-20 weekend. Over 400 teams participated in this fall’s Herndon Cup tournament, in age groups U8 to U19. McLean registered 24 teams.

McLean’s U11 All-Star Girls team captured the 10th Annual Herndon Cup Soccer Tournament championship over the November 19-20 weekend. Over 400 teams participated in this fall’s Herndon Cup tournament, in age groups U8 to U19. McLean registered 24 teams.

In the four-game qualifying round, McLean’s Paulina Deanda, Ava Bir and Noor Daneshvar each scored goals, with forwards Muriel Gemayel and Kelly Owczarski and midfielders Amelia Parizek, Brenna Butler, Rose Harris, Hannah Yazdani and Ambray Delaroca providing support. Elizabeth Hoeymans, Natalie Ruffner and Eliza Stuart played strong defense and kept the end zone clear.

During Sunday’s single elimination rounds, McLean’s U11 All-Star Girls advanced in dramatic fashion. The tightly fought first contest ended in a shootout, McLean prevailing on penalty shots by Paulina Deanda, Natalie Ruffner and Amelia Parizek. McLean won the second game 1-0, with a timely goal by Ava Bir and strong play by midfielders Rose Harris, Kelly Owzarski and Eliza Stuart. Goalkeepers Paulina Deanda and Elizabeth Hoeymans combined for the shutout.

McLean overcame Fairfax in the third and final championship game. Down two goals in the first half, McLean fought back with goals by Paulina Deanda and Ava Bir. Midfielders Amelia Parizek, Hannah Yazdani and Brenna Butler contributed constant pressure, and Elizabeth Hoeymans and Natalie Ruffner provided stalwart defense. Fairfax and McLean ended regulation play knotted at two goals apiece. A hotly contested seven round shootout followed, with goalie Paulina Deanda denying five Fairfax penalty shots. In capturing the cup, McLean’s Natalie Ruffner, Noor Daneshvar and Ava Bir each scored well-placed goals, Ava’s proving the tournament winning shot.

McLean Coach Pam Parizek presented the team with championship trophies, recognizing the tremendous support of McLean parents and the well-organized efforts of the Herndon cup officials. “I am very proud of our team,” Parizek said. “Our girls are very talented, displayed great teamwork, and played exceptionally well together to earn this victory over an excellent Fairfax team.”