U-12 Force co-captain Alex Ruehlen attempts to gain control of a 50/50 ball during last week's game against the Brentwood Bears. Ruehlen scored three goals during the Force's first official game of the season, including the game-winner with less than three minutes remaining. Two weeks ago, Alex Ruehlen netted a pair of goals, including the final score of the game, to bring the U-12 Force back from a two-point deficit before its game against Leander ended in a tie.

Turns out, he was just getting warmed up.

The midfielder and co-captain recorded a hat trick against the Brentwood Bears, helping his team to a 4-2 victory in the first official game of the season.

Michael Brazell struck first for the Force, weaving between defenders and connecting on a kick to the far post 12 minutes into the contest. Twelve minutes later, the Bears answered, and the score remained tied 1-1 until after halftime, when Ruehlen tallied his first goal of the day at the 41-minute mark.

Brentwood answered again, and the game remained deadlocked until, with less than three minutes remaining, Nick Lawson earned a corner kick that Ruehlen converted into the game-winning goal after the Bears' goalkeeper deflected the ball.

Following a Bears' turnover on the ensuing kickoff, Ruehlen once again gained possession of the ball, aimed high and scored his third goal in the game's waning moments.

In other action, the U-14 Force defeated the Town and Country Burn 2-0.

Six minutes into the contest, Anthony Velarde scored the game's first goal off a pass from his brother, Adrian Velarde.

Then, in the 21st minute, Adrian returned the favor, setting up Anthony who gave the Force a 2-0 lead before halftime.

In the second half, the Force's defense proved too intimidating for the Burn, and the opponents could not penetrate within scoring range.

The U-14 Force's record is 2-0- 1, with the next game to come Saturday at 2 p.m. against the Brentwood Bears at the Gavin Garrett Soccer Park.

The U-12 squad will take to the field at 4 p.m. against the CCU Challengers.

Forced to compete with just 10 players, the U-16 team could not overcome the odds against the Cobras, who posted a 4-0 shutout.

Against the CCU Cosmos, the U- 19 Tri-City Express girls' team fought back after a slow start to claim a 1-0 victory on the road.

In the 57th minute, Angel Waters kicked the game-winner with a little help from the Cosmos goalkeeper, who bobbled the ball and let it slip past the goal line.

Tori Hawthorn, Bree Lindeman, Sarah Pillow and Megan Mason were instrumental defensively for the Express, who play next on Sunday in Cedar Park against the Exodus Pumas.