STAFF REPORT

They traveled to California as dogs, but when the New Bedford Pit Bulls returned, it was as national futsal champions.

The squad of 12-year-old girls formed as a soccer team five years ago by the Rev. Dogba Bass, former pastor of St. Paul's Methodist Church, won four of five games at the 20th National Futsal Championship held earlier this month in Anaheim, winning a national crown despite beginning play of the indoor soccer variant simply to stay sharp in the winter break.

Undefeated in the South Coast Soccer League in the past five seasons and the first inner city team to qualify for the state Tournament of Champions -- they've done it twice -- the Pit Bulls first played futsal in a Norfolk league at the behest of their coach.

Played on a basketball floor-sized indoor court with a heavier ball and smaller goal than normal soccer, suffice to say they took to it quickly, winning the Massachusetts State Cup in January and impressing the U.S. Futsal Federation enough at the regional event in Pennsylvania to earn a berth into Nationals.

Showing plenty of heart and dedication in just raising the funds necessary for the trip, the Pit Bulls made it worth it by going 2-1 in their under-12 bracket and earning a wild card berth into the semifinals by outscoring opponents 14-8.

Avenging a first-round defeat against California's Futsal Fanatics with a 5-4, double-overtime win in the semifinals, New Bedford scored first in the championship matchup with New Jersey's Princeton United en route to a 3-1 clincher.

Though Coach Bass and daughters Tracy and Ashley have since moved to Ohio, the tentative plans remains for the team to reunite next July for a chance to defend their national title.

This story appeared on Page C4 of The Standard-Times on July 29, 2005.