Katie McIntee fired a pair of goals in a span of two minutes midway through the first half to lead the EDH Sapphires by the Nevada Elite in the championship match of the Azzurri Soccer Club Pumpkin Kick Tournament on Oct. 26

The Sapphires, anunder-12 girls’ select team, claimed their second tournament title of the 2009 campaign.

“I couldn’t be happier for these girls,” said Coach Kristy Galet. “They play as one unit, as a team, and they never give up, and they find ways to win.”

EDH, clad in pink “skull and crossbones” shirts for Halloween, started quickly in the final behind defender Jasmin Ocampo’s long strike in the fourth minute. Though Nevada equalized three minutes later, EDH’s relentless attack, led by Kayla Galet, McKenna Avery, Haley Dean and Olivia Reed kept the ball forward, setting up McIntee’s two-goal salvo that gave EDH breathing room. From that point, the Sapphires’ veteran defensive unit – Haylee Janco, Summer Santangelo, Erika Palmer and keeper Alyssa Herrman – shut out Nevada to preserve the 3-1 victory.

EDH outscored its opponents 11-3 over the weekend and finished the tournament with a 3-0-1 record, including preliminary round wins over the Azzurri Thunder (Yuba City) and the GC Blue Diamonds (Grass Valley, CA). Eight Sapphires scored goals, including Sammy Rowinski, Sarah Sindel, Isabella Agostini, Kirsten McKeen, and Herrman. Midfielder Ashleigh Ball led all Sapphires with three goals.

“These goals are not just coming from one or two players,” said Coach Bret Galet. “It shows you how much confidence they have in each other, and how they spread the ball around. Anybody can score at any time.”