Sports

Three-peaters

WESTFIELD – The girl’s Under-14 District 7 soccer team strived to defend their 2015 and 2016 State Championship recently in Lancaster in the District Select Program tournament.
DSP is the summer league run by Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association. The league features “select teams” from throughout the state that compete at various ages (U11-U19 for both boys and girls). Western Mass (District 7) is the largest geographic district stretching from the New York boarder to the west, Vermont to the north, Connecticut to the south and just past Palmer to the east.
The U14 girls’ team was comprised of players throughout the Pioneer Valley, many of whom had won the state championship that last two years. Their win in 2015 was the first DSP state title for Western Mass in over a decade at that time.

Megan Alvarado, of Westfield dribbles the ball upfield for the Western Mass District 7 U-14 girls’ soccer team. (Photo by Jose Negron)

During the regular season, which ran during the month of July, the team compiled an excellent record of 5-0-2, only allowing only three goals during seven matches behind a strong defense led by Sarah Shaw (Southwick), Nell Dwyer (Amherst), Hannah Duggan (Palmer) Emily Kibler (Chicopee) Brielle Los (Chicopee) and Dana Chateauneuf (Granby). Selena Negron (Easthampton) served as the goalie for the team posting four shutouts during the regular season.
The first weekend of August provided the opportunity for the girls to participate in the playoffs and the right to defend their state title.
The Western Mass players performed exceedingly well, going undefeated 4-0. They scored 16 goals and let up just three. Their record provided them the opportunity to advance to the state championship on Sunday afternoon.
The finals matched up the Western Mass girls against a team from District 2. District 2 is made up of players from just south of Boston from towns like Duxbury, Raynham and Quincy. This was the third year these two districts met for the championship. This year, both teams had many of the same players on their roster from the previous two years.
District 7 controlled the tempo for the first 15 minutes of the match. They kept the pressure on the girls from the eastern side of the state and had a number of scoring chances, but were unable to find the back of the net. District 2 scored first, netting a goal about 20 minutes into the match. However, the lead would be short-lived, as within five minutes, Annika Jensen (Westfield) fed a ball to Sam Breton (Chicopee) who scored the equalizer. Within five minutes, District 7 would post a second goal when Addy Lepak (Amherst) dropped a ball back to a waiting Cristina Negron (Easthampton) at the top of the penalty box. Negron sent a ball over the top of the reaching keeper for District 2 to give District 7 the lead.

The Western Mass District 7 U-14 girls’ soccer team celebrates a goal from Emma Pedro (Westfield). (Photo by Jose Negron)

As the second half started, District 7 held a 2-1 advantage, but within the first 15 minutes District 2 would get a chance to tie the game. A handball in the penalty box resulted in a penalty kick for District 2. The first shot was waived off as a player entered the area too soon. Selena Negron stared down her opponent and while she was able to make a phenomenal save, the ball rebounded back to the shooter who placed it in the back of the net to tie the game a 2-2.
About 10 minutes later, District 7 earned a corner kick. Annika Jensen drew the responsibility to take the kick. The ball was played into the area and District 2 cleared it, but it found its way back at Jensen’s feet and she played it across the box to an incoming Emma Pedro (Westfield) who would score easily on the back post.

The Western Mass District 7 U-14 girls’ soccer team celebrates a state championship. (Photo by Jose Negron)

Leading 3-2, the District 7 girls continued to pressure the team from the opposite side of the state. Sam Breton found the feet of Megan Alvarado who took a quick shot to beat the keeper on a low rolling ball. District 7 was able to defend their 4-2 lead over the final five minutes. When the final whistle blew, the players dashed for their goalkeeper and celebrated a third straight state championship, defeating their now rivals from the opposite side of the state.
District 7 was coached by Todd Jensen of Westfield and assisted by Dave Lepak of Amherst.
Miki Negron of Easthampton administered the District 7 summer soccer program.
The District 7 U-14 girls’ soccer roster is comprised of Westfield’s Megan Alvarado, Riley Byrnes, Allie Goodreau, Annika Jensen, and Emma Pedro, Southwick’s Sarah Shaw, and others from Western Mass, including: Tash Barnes (Springfield), Sam Breton (Chicopee), Dana Chateaauneuf (Granby), Gwen Duggan (Palmer), Hannah Duggan (Palmer), Nell Dwyer (Amherst), Emily Kibler (Chicopee), Addison Lepak (Amherst), Brielle Los (Chicopee), Cristina Negron (Easthampton), Selena Negron (Easthampton), and Miranda Sandoval (Palmer).

STATE CHAMPION
WMASS District 7 U-14 Girls’ Soccer

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