Local girls' soccer team to be honored at upcoming L.A. Galaxy match
By Peter Cappos Special to the Thousand Oaks Acorn

AWESOME- The U-10 Red Rockets won eight All-Star tournaments this season. Pictured in the front row from left to right are Madison Ashton, Whitney Hill, Renie Walczuk and Janie Avendano. Middle row: Daniella Reda, Rachel Mach, Madison Gebbia and coach Mike Sherman. Coaches Jaime Ashton and Dave Hill are in the back. Jessica Speicher, Hayley Hodson and Lindsey Seyler are not pictured.

On July 7, the L.A. Galaxy will suit up to play the Kansas City Wizards at the Home Depot Center in Carson. Just prior to kickoff, the Galaxy will take time out to honor one of the most dominant U-10 girls' All-Star soccer teams in the history of the Agoura-Westlake region- the Red Rockets.

Beginning on Thanksgiving and ending late last month, the Red Rockets won eight of the 17 All-Star tournaments they entered and placed second or third in five others.

Playing against some of the best U-10 girls' soccer players in Southern California, the team put up a 63-12-3 record, scored 252 goals and gave up only 52 goals.

The team was put together by head coach Jaime Ashton and assistant coaches Mike Sherman and Dave Hill. Each coach logged countless hours evaluating players from Calabasas to Newbury Park.

"We wanted the team to be filled with girls who played the game with passion, and that's what we got," Ashton said. "Our girls gave 100 percent in each and every game, whether we won or lost.

"But more important, they're all great girls with wonderful character. That says a lot about the parents and the values they're instilling in their children."

While the team had high expectations entering AllStar season, the coaches never imagined the team would evolve into such a dominant force.

"You have to remember, we were playing against the best U10 girls' soccer players in the entire state," Sherman said. "Every one of those teams had talent and were tough.

"We are extremely proud of each and every one our girls and what they were able to accomplish over the past seven months. Heck, we want to bring them all back in a few months and do it all over again. I'm going to miss those kids."

For now, the coaches, players and parents will have to settle for one final journey where the girls will be permitted to walk on the home field of the Galaxy, wave to a cheering crowd and put the finishing touches on one of the greatest seasons and experiences of their young lives.