Kitsap claims first title

• by Soccer America , Aug 7, 2011

[PDL] The Kitsap Pumas won their first USL PDL championship with a 1-0 victory against the Laredo Heat on Robby Christner's goal Saturday night at Bremerton (Wash.) Memorial Stadium.

After a pair of shots by Elliott Fauske and Christner had challenged the Heat’s defense early, Christner was on hand in the 11th minute to put away what would prove to the be the only goal of the game when he tapped in a pass from Bryan Bur ke just six yards out.

“I don’t think words can really describe it,” Pumas captain Daniel Scott said. “I mean, if I think if we look back to the beginning of the season there was so much sacrifice that goes into this team. A good amount of us live over in the Seattle area and have to make the commute over here three, four days a week, sometimes five times on the weekend, so there’s a lot of personal sacrifice that we put in, but it paid off and it was worth every minute of it.”

The Pumas, who are in their third season, are coached by Seattle Sounders broadcaster and former Seattle University men's coach Peter Fewing.

PDL Awards:
MVP -- Milton Blanco, Fresno Fuego
Blanco led the league in points (38) and assists (14) for the Southwest Division champions. Blanco has had professional stints with USL PRO’s Harrisburg City Islanders as well as Chivas USA of MLS.
 
Rookie of the Year -- Jake Keegan, Westchester Flames
About to enter his junior season for Binghamton University, Keegan was a bright spot for the Flames, tallying 16 goals in 16 games to take the league goal-scoring crown.
 
Defender of the Year -- Stewart Givens, Michigan Bucks
The first of three Bucks to be honored, Givens was a big reason why the Bucks were one of three teams to allow a league-low nine goals and also contributed four goals and four assists.
 
Coach of the Year -- Gary Parsons, Michigan Bucks
 In his second year at the helm, the former Oakland University coach guided the Bucks to a 12-2-2 record and Great Lakes Division championship.

Goalkeeper of the Year -- Mitch Hildebrandt, Michigan Bucks
Entering his senior season at Oakland University, Hildebrandt led the PDL in shutouts (12) and tied for the league lead in wins with 12.