DENVER — Last week was one that the Sandpoint Strikers 2013 girls team will never forget.  

The team spent the time in Denver, Co., competing in the U-13 US Club Soccer National Cup Finals at the Dick's Sporting Goods Park complex against teams from across the country. While the Strikers didn't advance from their group after going 0-2-1 in the stage, head coach Adam Tajan took a positive takeaway from the team's three matches. 

"We can hang at that level," Tajan said. "Super proud of the girls for stepping up, and they really showed some grit and determination ... once we got through that first game and saw what we were up against, we knew we could hang." 

The Strikers opened the tournament against the HTX 13G North Aspire, from Houston, Tx., and dropped the game 3-1. Tajan said the team faced a lot of adversity going into the first game, losing their starting center back to injury and being forced to learn new positions in a stressful environment.  

The head coach shouted out Elsa Gidley, Finley Williams and Hallie Anderson for stepping up to fill the void during the tournament.  

Sandpoint bounced back in their next game, earning a 0-0 draw against the Leahi Soccer Club, from Honolulu, Hawaii. Tajan said the scrappy game presented numerous chances for both sides to break through, but that quality goalkeeper play from Presley Powell kept the game knotted at 0-0. 

"The girls stepped up against Hawaii," Tajan said. "That game could have gone either way ... Very defensive, obviously nil-nil scoreline. Keepers coming up big, keeping teams in it." 

Though they had yet to win a game, Sandpoint was far from out of it heading into their final match. While they needed to win by a significant margin against the Glen Ellyn Lakers FC, from Chicago, Il., the Strikers had a chance to make it out of the group stage. 

The team continued to battle against what turned out to be the best team in the Strikers' group but ultimately fell 1-0 to the Lakers, ending their run at Nationals after three games.  

Tajan said that Brooklyn Winju, the team's striker, was a star and created numerous offensive chances while Sylvia Neese and Keeley Lett helped the team control the critical midfield. He applauded his team for playing with quality energy and staying in games from teams from massive cities. 

The Strikers' final opponent, Glen Ellyn Lakers, went on to play in the championship game, which Tajan said the team stuck around to watch. The Lakers fell in the title game, but Tajan said that was an important moment for the girls to see who they played tough. 

"That was good to know that we can hang with the best of them and some of the teams that went on to the finals and even championship teams if we show up and play how we're capable of playing," Tajan said. "We're right there at that level in little old Sandpoint." 

Outside of the tournament, Tajan said the team got to explore Denver, attending Colorado Rockies and Colorado Rapids, the city's Major League Soccer team, games. The tournament was played just outside the Rapids stadium, which Tajan said added to the atmosphere. 

Tajan thanked the community for their outpouring support for the team's fundraising efforts. He said that those helped significantly to keep the costs down for families and make it somewhat affordable for everyone. 

"It was a scene for sure," Tajan said. "There were plenty of additional team-building events and other happenings that took place as well. So, we made the most of it. It wasn't just soccer, but it's a fun little vacation as well." 

Tajan said the girls will get a two-week break from soccer before the next season of Strikers' soccer starts up again. He said he will continue to coach the team and expects a few new, more experienced players joining them for the National One League fall season. 

"I certainly think that they can get back to that stage," Tajan said. "The big thing now is that they know that they can compete at that level, and so the hope is that they'll be hungry to return and prove they can maybe get out of that group stage and make some noise." 

    Sandpoint Strikers attacker goes to kick the ball during a match in the U-13 US Club Soccer National Cup Finals at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Denver.