Malden Girls Win Billerica Soccer Tournament

Malden Girls Under-12 Win Billerica Tournament

This weekend at the Billerica Memorial Day Veterans Tournament, the chemistry among the Malden Youth Soccer Under-12 girls was palpable. On Saturday, against home-town favorite Billerica, the sister combo of Camneillie and Preistelle Aristil scored the first goal. Molly Roberge and Prissy Aristil also worked hard on offense, but the Malden girls lost the game 3-1. Coach Lois Kessin congratulated Billerica’s coach on their win saying, “see you in the finals.” The Billerica coach replied, “we are looking forward to that!”

The second game of the day was against Tewksbury United. Needing to win to stay in the tournament, the girls drew strength from their passion for the game, Malden’s midfield of Rachel Silva and Riley Strano (usually joined by Isabella Flores) held strong with great passing and fierce determination. Quick-witted Leticia Toledo scored the game’s only goal and stand-out goalie Camila Per saved the game, and tournament, by stopping a penalty kick.

On Sunday, Malden fought off insects and the Peabody Hurricane. Malden’s defense, made up of Sophia Ruperti, Rianna Griffiths, Sidra Alani, Syrah Arena, and Arianna Perez staved off constant barrages from the more skilled team. The referee’s whistle was sweet relief to a tie game (0-0) that felt like a win.

In the second game on Sunday, Malden’s forwards poured it on against Reading United. After scoring five goals by the middle of the second half, Coaches Kessin and Cam Aristil asked the girls to hold back. Being good sports, they did, but two more balls still went in, making the final score 7-1. Kali Griffiths made terrific runs, while several girls scored, including Camnellie Aristil with two.

On Monday, Malden Girls U12 played their fifth and sixth games of the weekend. Having played more advanced teams throughout, the defense had become tighter and the offense more clinical, switching from sheer force to skilled positioning and movement. Avenging their earlier tie, Malden beat Tewksbury United, 4-1. They were in the final!

As both teams had predicted, Malden met Billerica in the final. Billerica came into the game hoping to repeat their win. However, they met a team which had jelled over the weekend into a well-oiled machine. With a power shot that awed players, coaches and fans alike, Syrah Arena scored off a direct kick awarded for a Billerica foul. In the second half, with the game tied 1-1, striker Maria Peiera made a break-away. She took her first touch on a pass with her right foot. Knowing the defender was on her right and the importance of this chance, at full speed she switched the ball to her left foot, took a quick look at the goal, and passed the ball to the right side of the goal. The ball hit the post on the inside and went in, and Billerica’s ground shook with the spirit the Malden girls had shown throughout the tournament: 2-1.