Vashon Riptide takes home soccer cup title

The Vashon Riptide — Vashon Island Soccer Club’s U19 team — was crowned the 2016 Washington State Recreation Cup winner on Sunday after beating out La Familia from Port Townsend.

The victory comes after the team dominated Grays Harbor’s Chivas at the VES Fields in the quarterfinals on Dec. 4. On Saturday, The Riptide travelled to the Seattle Sounders’ practice facility — Starfire Sports complex in Tukwila — where it took on top-seeded Chelsea from Grays Harbor in the semi-final round. The game went into extra time, but the Riptide prevailed 3-2 with a goal by Riptide’s Tommy Delargy.

Then came Sunday’s final round game against La Familia at Starfire. The weather was cold and rainy, but the outcome was identical to Saturday. Michael Elenko, father of Riptide player Sasha Elenko, said Delargy was pulled down in the box by his opponent and scored on a penalty kick. The game ended 3-2, and the Riptide took the cup title.