AYSO U-10 Championship: Blue Thunder Can’t Rattle the Titans

The champs: Aidan Phipps, Thomas Anderson, Michael Eng, Luke Levay, Nolan O'Laughlin, Joseph Banuelos Jativa, Eljah Phipps, Gavin Roe and Caleb Jackson.

While the Bonita Bearcats football team will play South Hills in the first round of the CIF playoffs tonight and the girls varsity volleyball will face off against Los Altos on Saturday in the CIF finals, the only game in town in La Verne on Thursday night was AYSO Fall U-10 Championship between the Blue Thunder coached by Mike Mata and the Titans led by Coach Rod Jativa.

On paper, the matched looked like a draw. The Titans came into the game with just one loss and a tie, while the Blue Thunder had dropped just a pair during the fall season. Both teams entered the finals with high expectations.

But this cool, crisp night belonged to the Titans and Nolan O’ Laughlin, in particular, who scored six straight goals, including four in a row in the first quarter. Aidan Phipps from the Titans chipped in another goal right before the half to make it 7-0 at the break.

Both teams shook hands, then came out kickin'.

In the second half, the Blue Thunder almost ended the shutout. Tommy Delgado out-legged a defender down the right sideline but his strong kick sailed just over the crossbar.

The Titans’ Joseph Banuelos scored the last goal of the game, giving the U-10 Titans a convincing 8-0 victory, and more important the championship.

The action was fast and furious.

“I have been coaching for a long time, so I take no game for granted,” said Titans coach Rod Jativa. “But I thought we’d be sharp tonight because I’ve been working with these kids really hard and they’ve been working with me very hard. They did a sensational job.”

The Titans passed really well and moved alertly on defense.

“They know the game pretty good,” Jativa added. “They take advantage of their speed. They are very focused. They listen, and at this age, that’s very important.

A new sport: kick dancing

“My grandson Joseph is the one who brought me back to coaching, so I’ve very proud. Tonight was sensational. It was awesome.”

Despite the Blue Thunder’s loss, the team was proud how its defense stiffened in the second half, giving up just one goal against the powerful Titans. The Blue Thunder also knew that it was a terrific team accomplishment to reach the championship game when all the other teams in the division were sitting at home.

“It was a very good game,” said a gracious Mata, moments after the game clock expired. “The Titans are a very tough team, and we knew that coming in. But I’m proud of my boys and that we made it to this game. That meant everything, getting to this point.

“We had an outstanding season, I’m very proud of them, and I’ll remember this season forever because it’s the best season I’ve ever had as a coach.”

The Blue Thunder didn’t get the crown, but the post-game cupcakes they were eating looked just as satisfying.

The Titans roster included: Aidan Phipps, Thomas Anderson, Michael Eng, Luke Levay, Nolan O’ Laughlin, Joseph Banuelos Jativa, Elijah Phipps, Gavin Roe and Caleb Jackson.

Members of the Blue Thunder were: Jacob Coleman, Tommy Delgado, Mark Garcia, Ryan McGlohan, Michael Mata, Nicholas Pastran, Ruben Pastran, Jovani Serna and Dayton Sette.

The Titans were in hot pursuit of the ball all night.