Sun runs out of lifelines vs. Millionaires
Vancouver team wins Cal Cup field hockey title with 1-0 victory

By Jeffrey Dransfeldt, Correspondent
June 1, 2004

The Pacific Sun's dash to the Men's Super Division championship game was cut short Monday, when a goal by Scott Smith gave the Millionaires a 1-0 win.

Smith's goal for the Millionaires of Vancouver, British Columbia, highlighted the final day of the California Cup at Moorpark College. Games were also played at Cal Lutheran University.

Pacific Sun of San Diego reached the final with a 3-2 win against the Los Angeles Tigers on Sunday.

The Tigers settled for third place with a win against Mystery of Moorpark. After finishing regulation tied 2-2, Tigers won on penalty shots, 5-3.

"It's better than fourth," said Tigers coach Mukhtair Kundi. "We were hoping it would be better, at least to the finals, but that's OK."

Hardeep Singh scored a goal five minutes into the first half. Shawn Hindy added the Tigers' second score in the second half.

Monday's finals included an assortment of local teams. In a sampling of local finishes, the California Thunder of Newbury Park finished second to Yuba Brothers in the men's competitive division. Moorpark was the social division first-place finisher. The Ventura Roadrunners finished first in the mixed under-9 division.

The Camarillo Cougars lost a hard-fought match, 1-0, to the Flyers I in the final of the women's under-19 division.

Tired and with legs slowed by exhaustion, the Cougars made it through two early matches Monday. They beat Ocelots of Ashton, Md., 1-0 at 7 a.m., and then beat Quicksilver Pumas 2-1 at 9 a.m.

Cougars coach Pat O'Reilly said the Ocelots had a solid junior national team player.

In the final, two evenly matched squads battled for field position. The Flyers I controlled the ball in the second half, using it to their advantage to score a late goal.

"They got the goal and they earned it," said O'Reilly.

Ashley Harris of Ventura High had an opportunity late when she sidestepped a defender, but a second defender deflected her shot attempt.

"She had a great chance and couldn't put it in, but that happens," O'Reilly said.