The Northern AZ Estudantez soccer club continues to bring home medals from big tournaments.

Team Northern AZ Estudantez U12 placed second and Team Northern AZ Estudantez U16 placed third at the Blackhawks Max Shacknai Invitational Soccer Tournament on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 23 and 24, at the Scottsdale Sports Complex and Reach 11 Sports Complex. The tournament hosted 235 Arizona Youth Soccer Association soccer clubs and 372 soccer teams from 29 states, including California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Washington and teams from Canada.

“We were triumphant in our victories while still proud in our losses. Blackhawks was quite a tournament,” U12 Head Coach Reuben Philo said. “We played four games with three wins and one tie during regulation play. In the championship game we went on to penalty kicks and lost while still bringing home second place.

“I am so proud of our boys. For a small town, we played with a lot of heart and a lot of class while going up against some big clubs with size and numbers stacked against us. Three wins, one loss, only two goals against us, we came to play and made a great show of it. We have a very special group of boys and families, and I am proud to be their coach.”

For the full story, please see the Friday, March 1, issue of the Sedona Red Rock News.