Moorpark June 21, 2009. The defending champion Galaxy Wildcats nearly repeated their 2008 success at the Johnny Lopez Memorial Cup 2009, ultimately coming up short in a penalty kick shootout with the Apex G95.  The Wildcats had an amazing string of successes at the tournament winning their first three games in shutouts: 5-0 vs the Kickers Blue, 6-0 vs Chivas USA and 2-0 vs the Falcons for 29 points, the highest total by any team in their age bracket. In the championship final against the Silver (nearly Silver Elite) Apex G95, the Wildcats scored first early in the second half.  The Apex team came back with an answering goal and the game remain tied through regulation and two overtime periods.  The game was ultimately decided by Apex scoring 3 penalty kicks.

The Wildcats have improved their roster since the end of the fall season and new players including Kenia Bonilla, Nancy Lopez, Caitlin Whiteside and Emma Schwartz all made strong contributions during the tournament. Another development in the tournament was the ascendency of defender Emma Polhemus as a scoring threat.  Two of Emma’s high kicks over the heads of opposing defenders resulted in goals for the Wildcats. Goalkeeper Michall Singleton also distinguished herself with many amazing saves - preserving the shutouts and keeping the final tied up in overtime.  The Wildcats also had several guest players fill positions for vacationing Wildcats: Joan Rosello from the SAS Kickers and Ellie Benitez, Cheyenne Thomas and Hayley Pina of the Galaxy Devil-Cats all helped out. The Wildcats ended their 2008-2009 season as champions in two tournaments and finalists in two others out of the five tournaments played. The overall record of the Galaxy Wildcats from 2008-2009 was 25 wins, 14 losses and 6 ties. With that record to build on, the Wildcats and their coaches are looking forward to a very strong season in the coming year.