This weekend saw five Somerville Youth Soccer League teams play in the postseason. The Boys U10-1, U10-3, U12-3 and U14-3 teams competed in the Middlesex Youth Soccer League (MYSL) Commissioner’s Cup, while the Boys U14-1 team played qualifiers for the Massachusetts Tournament of Champions (MTOC).
The Boys U10-1 team (6-2-1 regular season) claimed the Boys U10 Division 1 Commissioner’s Cup, winning their first two matches to clinch the trophy before dropping a meaningless finale on Sunday.
SYSL’s Boys U10-3 team (8-0-1 regular season) went 1-1-1 on the weekend, finishing runners up thanks to a head-to-head win over Everett in their third game on Sunday.
“Hard work all season paid off for a nucleus of kids that has been together for the past two years,” commented Boys U10-3 coach Todd Easton. “For many of them this was their first tournament experience. The competition was fierce. There were no weak teams. It was a great experience for all of them.”
After an 8-0-1 regular season campaign, the Boys U12-3 team won their first game of the Commissioner’s Cup before falling by narrow 1-0 scorelines in the next two to finish third in their division.
Following an unblemished regular season champion that saw them win all nine games while racking up an eye-popping +43 goal difference, the Boys U14-3 team played a high-scoring 3-3 draw before dropping close decisions in their final two matches of the Commissioner’s Cup.
Coach Ken Cole commented, “We finished 0-2-1 and out of the medal standings, but the games were close and intense and the kids gave everything they had. The kids, of course, have a lot of soccer left to play in their lifetimes and this riveting experience will remain a positive one in the future.”
The Boys U14-1 team qualified for the MTOC playoffs thanks to a 7-2-0 regular season that saw them enter as the playoffs as the top seed. They avenged a 4-0 regular season loss to Melrose’s top U14 team with a thrilling penalty shootout victory in the semifinal, setting up a showdown with regular season co-champions Stoneham. Somerville ultimately fell 2-0 in the playoff final.
“It was a bittersweet ending for these boys -- some of whom have played in SYSL for many years and are now leaving for high school programs,” said Boys U14-1 coach Tom Lau. “We are immensely proud of their performances not only at the tournament and this season but for representing Somerville for so many years past and future.”
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