The Veterans Memorial Patriots concluded their run in the SAISD Tournament on Saturday, January 3, facing off against Burbank. After a grueling three-day schedule, our Patriots took to the pitch one last time, demonstrating the endurance and character that have become hallmarks of this team. The match began as a tactical, back-and-forth battle with both teams vying for control of the midfield. Burbank’s offense eventually found its rhythm, applying significant pressure to the Patriots' back line. Despite a spirited defensive effort, Burbank managed to break through twice before the whistle, leaving the Patriots with a 2-0 deficit at halftime. The Patriots entered the second half with renewed energy, shifting the momentum and spending considerable time in the Burbank half. Our offensive unit created several high-quality looks and "unlucky" near-misses that narrowly missed the back of the net. Equally impressive was the Patriot defense's response in the final period. Facing continued pressure from a talented Burbank side, the back line held the line perfectly, keeping Burbank scoreless throughout the entire second half. The match ended with a final score of 2-0. The team will take the lessons learned from this tournament into the Harlandale Tournament next week.