As 12-year-olds, the girls of the Washington Soccer Academy-F.C. Vancouver Glory have many years of soccer in front of them.

But they seem to understand that they might never have another experience like this week’s U.S. Youth Soccer Western Regional Tournament in Lancaster, Calif.

"We may never get as far again, so we’ve just got to take it all in," midfielder Sydnee Smith said.

In Lancaster, the Glory are one of 12 teams from 10 Western states vying for the regional championship in the girls under-12 tournament. They qualified for the regional championships when they took second place in the state’s top championship tournament.

"It’s real exciting to get to play different people, the best teams from different states," defender Madison Belzer said.

The Glory opened the tournament Monday morning against a familiar foe, falling by a 4-1 score to the Bellevue team that beat them 2-0 in the state finals last month.

At noon today they face the champions from Southern California, and on Wednesday they wrap up pool play against the Utah champions. If they qualify, they begin elimination play with quarterfinals on Thursday.

This opportunity to participate in the regional tournament is the result of improved play over the second half of the season, and of performing under pressure.

The Glory won their way into the state’s Championship Cup finals with by prevailing in penalty-kick shootouts in both the quarterfinals and in the semifinals. Despite the tension of the tiebreaker format, several Glory players said they were confident in that scenario because they have Holli Chose in goal.

"It’s all because of Holli that we made it this far," forward Skye Kramer said.

A forward who volunteered to try goalkeeping a year ago, Chose has used her height, reach and aggressiveness to become successful at denying goals instead of scoring them, according to Glory head coach Todd Miles.

Chose said the state tournament shootouts were nerve-racking but fun.

"It was very stressful, but it was actually a very fun experience for me," Chose said. "I think I was more nervous for the (teammates) kicking."

Forward Ashley Simcox scored the penalty-kick goal that put the Glory into the state finals and clinched the trip to the regional tournament. She sent the ball into the upper left corner of the goal, after receiving encouragement from teammates.

"I told her, ’Just calm down and just shoot to the corner,’ " Delaney Lindahl said.

That the Glory was in a position to advance to regionals might have been considered an accomplishment. The Glory played in the second division of the state’s league during the season, but found their stride for the state tournament.

"At midseason we didn’t think we’d be able to make it as far as we did," Smith said.

Chose said the team was goofing off too much in practice sessions.

It was, several players said, a loss to a rival team from the Columbia Premier Soccer Club that helped motivate the team to improve practice habits, work rates, and commitment.

The commitment is a big one for players on high-level teams. Most members of the Glory have been with the team for three seasons, and understand the year-round dedication demanded of teams that strive to compete at the highest level.

November is the one soccer-free month in the year for the Glory, though coaches work around other family and sports commitments. The practice schedule intensified in advance of the regional tournament.

"I think you really have to love the game to come here," Simcox said at one of last week’s practices.

Many of the girls play other sports. Chose, for example, plays on a select basketball team. She and others said they appreciate the willingness of their coaches to work around their schedules.

"They tell us, ’You’re growing up. Go do other things,’ " Smith said.

The girls describe themselves as sisters, and cherish time spent together away from the field, both in hotels on the road or hanging out at home.

"Outside of soccer, you really see people the way they are," Lindahl said.

This week’s tournament will give the girls more quality time on and off the field. And the Glory plans will return to Northern California in August to face more high-caliber teams at a showcase tournament.

They look forward to making a name for themselves, and to taking advantage of their chance to test themselves against champions from around the West.

"It’s going to be a real challenge," Kramer said. "We’re going to have to play hard and have a good game every game."

"If we play Glory soccer, we can hang with anyone," Smith said.