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The Eclipse 97 girls soccer captured the championship of the Far North Soccer Tournament held last weekend in Anchorage with a hard-fought 1-0 win over the Cook Inlet White Velocity.

The lone goal was scored by Elly Veazey, who volleyed the ball into the net off a cross by Hannah Irvine. The Eclipse had several other scoring opportunities, but couldn’t convert, so they relied on a disciplined and aggressive defense to pull out the win.

Christina Bussell held the back line, preventing any penetration through the middle of the field. Jenna Otis also turned in a strong performance in the stopper position.

Keeper Kyra McGinty made several key saves, including a stellar effort with about two minutes left in the game. Velocity was awarded a free kick from just outside the 18 yard box. After setting the defense, McGinty held her ground as the ball was knocked around in front of her, and then stopped a hard shot from about six yards away.

Sheridan Irvine, Karly Fitzgerald and Laurisa Kulmanobsky also turned in strong performances during the tournament.

In the round-robin portion of the tournament, the Eclipse won all three games — 5-0 over the Northern Lights Soccer Club, 2-0 over the Alaska Rush 97 and a 2-1 win over the Mat-Su Polaris. In the semifinal match, the Eclipse posted a 3-1 triumph over the Chugiak Thunder.

Other players on the team included Ashley Stark, Angel Ochoa, Savannah Moisan and Erica Signor.

It was the second tournament title of the summer for the Eclipse, as they also won the Midnight Sun Tournament in June.

State softball

The Interior Girls Softball Association will host the Alaska ASA State Tournament for the 12U, 14U and 18U divisions today and Sunday at the new South Davis Softball Complex.

Teams from Anchorage, Fairbanks and Valdez are entered in the tournament. Pool play games are scheduled from 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. today. Championship brackets will be played on Sunday.

The 12U division features four Fairbanks teams — Alaska North Stars 10U, Laborer’s Local 942, Denali Builders and Miss Demeanors.

The 14 division has a four-team field consisting of the Arctic Storm from Anchorage, the North Stars from Fairbanks, the Alaska Interior 12U All-Stars of Fairbanks and Valdez.

The North Stars are the only Interior team in the 18U division, which also features the Arctic Heat from Anchorage and the Thunderbirds, also of Anchorage.

Football camp

The Lathrop High School football team will host the All 11 Contact Football Camp from July 23-26 at the Lathrop Football Stadium. The camp is for players in grades 9-12.

The camp operates from 7-9 p.m. July 23-25 and from 4-6 p.m. on July 26. Players should arrive by 6:45 p.m. in full gear for the first session on June 23. A current physical and current health insurance is required of all participants.

The cost of the camp is $30.

The camp teaches student athletes the skills to play football at the high school level.

For more information, contact Lathrop football coach Pat Romans at 456-5409.

Lathrop football gear

Gear checkout for players in the Lathrop High School football program will take place Monday through Friday at 7 p.m. at the Lathrop High School football office.

Lathrop’s first official practice is scheduled for 1 p.m. on July 28.

For more information, go to lathropfootball.com.

Mini golf tournament

The Golden Days Mini Golf Tournament is scheduled from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday at Pioneer Park.

Teams of four will compete for trophies and numerous other prizes. The top three foursomes will receive trophies and other prizes will be awarded in a drawing at 2 p.m. Sunday.

The entry fee is $25 per team.

The grand prize is four round trip tickets to Anchorage on Frontier Alaska.

Other prizes include four lunches at Soapy Smith’s Pioneer Restaurant, a family prize package from Play It Again Sports, four $25 gift certificates from Pazzo Gs, prize packages from ALCAN hockey, prize packages from Cooper Training and Conditioning, four overnight stays at the Captain Bartlett Inn, four rounds of golf with carts at the Fairbanks Golf Course, ticket packages from the Fairbanks Ice Dogs, and many other prizes.

For more information, call 452-7888.