Rush Vipers Win 3v3 World Championship

CONGRATULATIONS to the Colorado Rush Vipers on earning a Kick-It 3v3 World Championship in the 2001 Girls Elite Invitational Division (EID) at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Disney World last weekend!  Twelve U-11 girls' teams from nine different states competed in the 2001 Girls EID where 2011 US Regional tournament winners and finalists compete to take home the 2011-2012 World Championship.  

The Colorado Rush Vipers are a mix of four U-11 NIKE players:   Audrey W, Carlee G, Erin H, and Laryssa H. The Vipers blended skills with passion and added a bond of unfailing team chemistry to earn a hard-fought 6-5 win against the Michigan Hawks in the final championship game. 

After an initial 7-4 loss to an excellent Michigan Hawks team in pool play, the Rush Vipers got through quarterfinals against a tough Furious Five (Texas) team with a 4-3 golden goal overtime win.  Hearts were pumping.  Ultimately, the quarterfinal win against Furious Five propelled the CO Rush Vipers to a first-round championship rematch with the Michigan Hawks.  As the team approached the game field, one of the Viper players commented to her teammates that "Vipers eat Hawks in the wild".  At that moment, Coach Bob Turgeon knew the team’s heads were in a good place. 

The Rush Vipers clipped the wings of the MI Hawks in the first championship round with a sound 8-5 retaliatory thumping that included a perfect Viper header goal from an inbounds chip pass.  WOW!  Afterwards, the MI Hawks faced the Furious Five in a "second chance" playoff game to earn the right to play the Rush Vipers one last time for the World Championship.  The Hawks bested the Furious Five by a score of 4-3, and were set to play the Rush Vipers for the golden trophy.

The championship game was a nail-biter of a game where the opponents traded goals like two boxers slugging it out.  It was a skilled, physical, grinding game until the Rush Vipers took a two-goal lead for good with five minutes remaining.  The Hawks scored a final goal to make it 6-5 as the Vipers swallowed the last feathers.  What a wonderful experience!  It will be one the girls will always remember.   Congratulations Vipers, we are proud of you!