WESTFIELD UNITED U12 BOYS’ SOCCER TEAM
WINDSOR, CT – The Westfield United U12 boys’ team competed in the 2012 Windsor (Conn.) Annual Columbus Day Soccer Tournament. The tournament drew more than 140 teams from across New England, New Jersey and New York for its annual Fall Festival of soccer. Westfield United finished in second place behind Cromwell (Conn.).
The boys from the Whip City started off its excellent weekend of soccer by defeating Middletown (Conn.) 3-1 October 6. The first goal was scored by Carter Cousins on a head ball into the net with an assist from Aaron Blanchard. Jimmy Hagan scored the second goal of the game with a left-footed shot into the corner of the net off a nice through pass from midfielder Mark Botin. Cousins finished the scoring with a goal coming off a cross pass from Hagan. James Grubelic played very well in goal to earn the win. Brenden LaForest , Ryan Roskey, Frankie Florek and Paul Piepergerdes provided outstanding defense. Mike Lurgio, Niko Flevotomos, Ethan Sacco and Noah Kantor played well in the midfield.
The second game of the day was a thriller against the host team, Windsor. It was a back and forth game that Westfield won in the final five minutes by a score of 3-2 on a game-winning, breakaway goal from Hagan over the outstretched hands of the Windsor goalie into the upper left corner of the net. The breakaway occurred when a hustling Flevotomos took possession of the ball just past midfield and sent the speedy Hagan in on a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Westfield goalkeeper Aaron Blanchard made an outstanding save to keep Windsor off the board in the final minute of action to preserve the win.
The game featured several Westfield highlights.
Carter Cousins scored his third goal of the tournament and gave Westfield its first goal off of a nice pass from Ari Koumentakos who delivered the ball right to an open Cousins in front of the net. Westfield was trailing by a score of 2-1 mid way through the second half when Flevotomos was tripped by a defender and given a penalty shot. Flevotomos calmly put the ball into the left corner of the net to tie the game at 2- 2. The Westfield goaltending tandem for the game was Mike Lurgio and Blanchard who both played well in the net. Ethan Sacco had a strong game in the midfield and Brenden LaForest anchored the defense. Westfield also welcomed back strong defender Pat Lurgio from a knee injury. He along with Ryan Roskey, Paul Piepergerdes and Frankie Florek played well on defense.
Westfield suffered its only loss in the tournament.
A well-skilled Cromwell team defeated Westfield United, 3- 0. A short-handed Westfield team hustled its way through the game but fell short in its efforts. James Grubelic played very well in the goal during the first half of the game to keep Westfield within striking distance by a score of 1-0. The second half saw Cromwell use its passing skills and soccer finesse to hold off Westfield for the win. Jack Hogan and Noah Kantor stood out in the loss for Westfield with their effort .
The second game of the day on Sunday was a roaring comeback win against a familiar opponent in Agawam.
Westfield defeated Agawam by a score of 3- 2 with a “hat trick” from Koumentakos. His first goal of the game from the right sideline on a floater over the Agawam keeper’s hands. The goal began with a determined Mike Lurgio fighting off a defender and threading a pass to Koumenatkos for the score. The second goal came from Koumentakos on a pass from Mark Botin. The third goal was a determined Koumentakos blasting a shot through the right side of the net for an unassisted goal for the game winner and putting Westfield back into second place for the tournament. Aaron Blanchard gave a strong second half effort in goal for the win. Brenden LaForest and Ryan Roskey had several nice defensive plays and controlled the Agawam offense. Paul Piepregerdes continued his strong play at left fullback. Hagan kept a ball from going into the goal with a nice clear in the first half and Mike Lurgio, Pat Lurgio and Mark Botin all had strong games.
The final game of the tournament for Westfield U12 was on Columbus Day.
Westfield put forth a strong effort and recorded a big win against Bloomfield (Conn.) with an excellent effort from the entire team. The final score was 4-2. Westfield United got on the board first with a goal by Jack Hogan off of a cross from right wing Hagan. The crossing pass came across the the penalty shot area and Hogan deposited the ball into the net to give Westfield the lead.
Shortly after the Hogan goal, Mark Botin scored a goal on a pass from Ryan Roskey to put Westfield up 2- 0. After two goals by Bloomfield, Flevotomos had an unassisted goal to give Westfield the lead again after streaking down the right sideline. Koumentakos finished the Westfield scoring with a breakaway goal late in the second half. Westfield had solid goaltending from James Grubelic in the first half and Aaron Blanchard in the second half. Solid defense by LaForest, Roskey, Piepergerdes, Florek, and Pat Lurgio helped keep a quick Bloomfield team from scoring late in the game.The midfield of Sacco, Cousins, Kantor , Mike Lurgio, and Botin provided offensive and defensive support. The front line of Hagan, Koumentakos, Flevotomos and Hogan had continuous pressure throughout the game.
Westfield tied for first place based on their record of 4-1 but lost a tie breaker to Cromwell to finish in second place.
Coach Peter Lurgio and assistant Coach Jim Hagan said they were proud of the boys for their effort, hustle, skill and for represneting Westfield in a positive manner.
Courtesy of Westfield United
