Hamden U-14 Soccer Team Tournament Champs

The Hamden U14 boys Soccer team won the Joseph A. Contetournament June 26 in Cheshire with a 1-0 win in the championship game against Shelton.

To reach the finals, Hamden recorded wins over Ansonia 4-1, West Haven (Team 2) 5-0,and Guilford (Team 1) 2-0 in the group stage.

In the semi-final match Hamden defeated a talented and spirited West Haven (Team 4), 2-1.

Defense was key to Hamden’ s success with Rafal Grzybek and Dylan Gray anchoring the defense at sweeper and stopper, with Sean Dacey and Giuseppe Tarantola at right and left defense.

Both Hamden goal keepers Dan Balter and Nick Cappiello recorded shutout games. Rafal also scored two goals for Hamden.

Hamden’ s midfield was also especially strong with Midfielders Matt Hurwtiz and Shawn McGarry leading the scoring for Hamden with five and four goals respectively. Marcos Valdovinos added to the goal total with a beautiful shot from long-distance.

Midfielders Tony Young, Aaron Clarke-Martin and Kevin Lewis also contributed with a constant presence on both ends of the field.
Hamden’s strikers were also busy with Joseph Aguillera making constant drives deep into the corners and crossing to the center to earn three assists and one goal.

Striker Jake Schevling also found the back of the net with a beautiful one touch shot off a corner kick. Ahmad Rahiad and Chis Pentek kept pressure on all opponents in front of the goal.

The final game against Shelton was a true nail-biter until the final whistle. Shelton threatened with several breakaways, while Hamden came close to scoring with shots rebounding of the goal posts and falling just wide of the net.

Hamden mid-fielder Matt Hurwitz scored the winning goal with a well-placed strike into the upper right corner ofthe goal.

“The team worked well together and really gave it their all. This was one of the best teams I have had the privilege to coach in my long career as a Hamden Soccer Association coach” Coach John Dacey said. “The whole team played with brains, heart,and guts. They showed the sportsmanship and team-oriented play of true champions.”