The Diablo FC Boys’ road to the finals of the 2011 Surf Cup soccer games was a tumultuous one, and the team was exhausted both mentally and physically when they took the field to face off against Arsenal FC for the championship game. The rematch occurred just three hours after both teams played taxing semi-final matches. Both teams were also playing their fifth game in just three days!

In addition to winning the tournament and being hailed the best of the best in youth soccer, Diablo FC also wanted to avenge their narrow loss to Arsenal back in bracket play. A host of D1 NCAA coaches were watching the game, including the coaches of UC Santa Barbara and Cal—who both commented on the spectacular display of soccer they witnessed.

The first goal went to Diablo FC after Edgar Damien sent up a perfect through ball to Izzy Murguia, who one touched it to Javier Valencia. Valencia sprinted, beat the Arsenal defender and shot it past the Arsenal keeper into the back of the net. Arsenal retaliated quickly and regulation time ended with the pair of top notch teams tied 1-1.

Surf Cup champs Diablo FC hoisting their trophy. Photo Credit: SoccerNation.

When the Diablo FC players returned for the first of two 10-minute overtime periods, they were determined to take the lead. The score didn’t change for 10 minutes and was still tied when the second overtime period ended—leaving the end of the 2011 U16 Surf Cup championship up to a penalty kick shootout.

Diablo FC and Arsenal pow-wowed and determined their line ups. Arsenal set up to shoot first, facing a smiling Diablo FC keeper Andrew Konstantino, who exuded confidence, loudly clapping his hands and jumping around the goal line. The Arsenal player sent the ball wide and to the right of the post, missing and holding his head in his hands in agony. Konstantino remained a force to be reckoned with as the second Arsenal player took his shot. The ball went right again and Konstantino dove, blocking the shot.

Diablo FC player Kian Maghsoodnia stepped up and took his shot, effortlessly kicking the ball past the Arsenal keeper and into the net. The next Arsenal player was feeling the pressure as he stepped up to take his shot, and the ball soared over the top of the goal, making it the third and final Arsenal shot to miss. All Diablo FC had to do was convert their next shot and the Surf Cup title was theirs. If Nate Grixti felt the weight of his job it didn’t show as he drove the ball out of the reach of the Arsenal keeper into the net for the winning PK.

Amidst downtrodden Arsenal players exiting the field, the Diablo FC 95 team crowded their kicker before huddling up and jumping up and down singing the traditional chant of soccer tournament winners: “Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole … We are the champions!” The players collected their Surf Cup, gold medals and custom jackets (emblazoned with the words “Surf Cup Champions” on the back) at the award ceremony, during which Surf Cup officials hailed their journey a Cinderella story.