Fillmore’s California United FC 2008 Boys Soccer was named Cal South State Champs last weekend. Pictured top (l-r): José Valdez (Assistant Coach) Alonso Arellano, Jovani Huerta, Giovani Valdez, Julio Ballesteros, Julian Medina, Hector Hernandez, Jose Zaragoza, Juan Medina, Juan Lizarraga, and Christian Ramirez. Bottom (l-r): Toni Hernandez (Assistant Coach) Javier Cisneros, Abe De La Cruz, Nathaniel Negrete, Angel Garza, Toni Hernandez Jr, Saul Magana, Julian Huerta, Luis Vigil, and Juan Hernandez (Head Coach). Not pictured: Xavier Lara and Jesus Canchola. Photo credit Erika Arana.

Last weekend Fillmore’s California United FC 2008 Boys Soccer was named Cal South State Champions for the first time ever. Above is the team celebrating after their victory, holding up their trophy. Photo credit Erika Arana. Full story begins on page 1. Above is one of Fillmore’s California United FC 2008 Boys Soccer players as he tries to keep his opponent from taking the ball.

By Erika Arana

For the first time ever, a Fillmore team has won the Cal South State Cup! The last two weekends, March 16th, 17th, and 23rd, Fillmore’s Competitive Soccer Club, California United FC, was crowned the 2008 Boys State Cup Champions!
This was a mentally tough and physical tournament filled with rain in every game, long road trips and injuries. Every player was critical in this championship run and deserving of our congratulations.

Goal keepers Julian Medina (co-captain) and Jose Zaragoza only allowed 3 goals all 7 games with co-captain Hector Hernandez leading the defense as well as creating for the offense. The defensive backline of Javier Cisneros and Saul Magana with Giovani Valdez made it a tough outing for opposing offenses resulting in an overall tournament goal difference of 22-3.
The middle was controlled by Christian Ramirez, Julio Ballesteros, and Juan Medina along with wingers Julian Huerta, Jesus Canchola, Xavier Lara, Angel Garza, and Nathaniel Negrete. The adjustments and touch on the ball as the tournament progressed was impressive and goes to show the hard work the players and Coaches Juan Hernandez and Jose Valdez put in.
Up front was Abe De La Cruz, Jovani Huerta, Luis Vigil, and Antonio Hernandez, III who consistently pressured the defenses, attacked the goal and made the plays when needed, with all-utility player Juan Lizarraga ready to fill in on defense, middle, and forward as needed.

Leading scorers for the tournament were Abe De La Cruz with 6 goals followed by Jovani Huerta with 5. Assist leaders are Julio Ballesteros and Christian Ramirez with 4 followed by Hector Hernandez with 3.
This was truly an all-team effort with ups and downs, plenty of travel and parent support. The future of Fillmore High School soccer looks bright with these up coming players. California United Fútbol Club is proud of the team, coaches and parents for their hard work and dedication. We hope this motivates the younger CU teams to follow in their footsteps and bring more championships to the club and community. California United. Building Champions!
State Cup - CU 2008 Boys

Game 1: CU 5 - 1 Necaxa USA
Goals: Hector Hernandez 2, Abe De La Cruz 1, Xavier Lara 1, Nathaniel Negrete 1
Assist: Hector Hernandez 2, Xavier Lara 1, Christian Ramirez 1, Julio Ballesteros 1, Christian Ramirez.
Overall Record : 4-0-0

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Game 2: CU 1 - 0 Olímpico
Goals: Christian Ramirez 1 PK
Overall Record: 5-0-0

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SEMI FINAL: CU 1 - 0 Premier Elite
Goals: Christian Ramirez
Assist: Julio Ballesteros
Shutout: Julian Medina
Overall Record 6-0-0

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FINAL: CU 5 - 1 Toritos
Goals: Jovani Huerta 2, Abe De La Cruz 1, Jesus Canchola 1, Javier Cisneros 1
Assist Coach: Christian Ramirez 1, Hector Hernandez 1, Jesus Canchola 1
Overall Record: 7-0-0
California United 2008 Boys Cal State Champions.