Breeze Triumph in Finale, Clinch Division

Through the flawless goalkeeping efforts of Cori Alexander, the Bay Area Breeze concluded their inaugural 2011 campaign with a 1-0 win over the West Coast Wildkatz on Sunday at .  Because of a 1-1 draw between North Bay F.C. Wave and West Coast on Saturday, the Breeze had already clinched first place in the WPSL Pacific-North division.

Former Pleasanton Rage and Cal High product Tracy Hong netted a late winner in the second half to secure her squad’s ninth and final win of the regular season. Forward Elina Johansson slipped a near perfect cross into Hong, who needed a simple touch to place the ball out of goalkeeper Chelsea McIntyre’s reach and into the far side of the net.

Alexander though, became Sunday night’s hero following a number of clutch saves that kept her side in the match, including a spectacular diving effort late during an open net opportunity for the visitors.

“They bail me out, I bail them out it’s kind of been the way the whole season’s going so I just try to step up when I’m called upon,” said Alexander.  “I mean we had to have Tracy put the goal away for us, she’s a high school kid playing on a quote on quote professional team so that’s big time for her, everyone steps up in their own way.”

Head coach Darin Preszler will be the first one to tell you Alexander’s humble mood off the field doesn’t match the aggressive mentality she brings to the goal box.

“If you look at the stats, and she gets mad at me for bringing them up, but the team’s got the third best goal against ratio in the whole nation,” he said. “She just can’t stand being scored on.”

The Breeze drew a record 1,000 plus fans to Gael Stadium Sunday, many of whom came out to support the Eric Cavalli Fundraiser, which raised over $10,000 for former Ballistic F.C. and Foothill High School soccer player Eric Cavalli. 

Cavalli who now attends UC Davis, was victim of a tragic snowboard accident last February that resulted in injuries to his neck, collarbone, aorta, lungs, kidneys and liver. 

“Fantastic outreach. There are a lot of local kids here who play soccer obviously, we have a lot of girls on our team who know Eric and it’s a great cause for someone who played the game,” said Preszler. 

The Breeze will take place in next Saturday’s play-offs, which will also be hosted at Dublin Gaels Stadium. Times are yet to be determined.