Kiss My Grass tops at Rainbow Soccer Tournament

Fountain Valley’s Under-19 girls’ soccer team. Kiss My Grass, took top honors at the 32nd annual Rainbow Soccer Tournament in Hawaii July 4-7 where it received a Sportsmanship Award.

The AYSO Region 5 team outscored 80 other teams in the upper divisions during the tournament, which was held July 4-7. The Sportsmanship Award is the highest honor a team can receive in AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization). Players, coaches and spectators are graded on criteria such as respect for teammates and coaches, opponents, and the game.

“This was the perfect way to end our season” Coach Steve Merickel said. “This was our goal from the start, this is how we coach the girls to play soccer. It is not always about winning and losing but how you play the game, that is what AYSO is all about.”

Kiss My Grass team members include: Mallory Weinheimer, Jordi Emrich, Alyx Merickel, Kaitlyn Pitoniak, Kaitlin Hungate, Jenny Soliman, Tian Luong, Kendra Martinez, Desiree Fisher, Cami Stevens, Kalei Hauber, Alicia Arnett, Alex Capuano and Kaitlyn Ramirez. The team is coached by Steve Merickel and Hank Schellingerhout.

— Reader submission