TYSL summaries week 6

BOYS

BU10-5           Tewksbury      3          vs         Dracut 1

The Redmen came looking for a win with the starting offensive line of Travis Cohen, Andrew Della Piana, and Dylan Crowley, starting defense Kyle Adams and Will Spicer, and Derek Wilkinson in goal.   Dracut fought hard, but the Redmen took a 1-0 lead when Dylan Crowley made his first goal of the season on an assist by Travis Cohen.  The ball was in the Dracut zone for most of the first half thanks to strong defense by Timmy Sweeney and Kyle Adams, and offense continued to be strong when Sreetej Digumarthi, assisted by Andrew Della Piana,  scored the second goal of the game to give the Redmen a 2-0 lead.  Outstanding goaltending by Derek Wilkinson led to a shut out in the first half.  The second half of the game started with  Timmy Sweeney in net, an offensive line of Kyle Adams, Derek Wilkinson and Justin Hillis, and a defensive line of Adian Silvia and Ahbi Lingareddy.  The Redmen took a 3-0 lead when Derek Wilkinson took advantage of Dracut's defensemen's deflection and the ball went directly into the net.  Timmy Sweeney continued strong in net for the Redmen and was only thwarted once by a quick rebound from the Dracut offense to make the final score of 3-1.  The Redmen are looking forward to their home meeting with Lowell next Saturday, and thank all the fans that come out to support them. 

BU14-1           Tewksbury 3   vs                     Burlington 1

Tewksbury's BU14-1 boys soccer team visited Burlington last Saturday and came away with a 3-1 win.

The Redmen (5-0-1) carried the play on the Burlington half of the field for most of the first half. But the Red Devils (1-5) double and triple teamed the ball carrier, frustrating the Tewksbury offense. Tewksbury's first good scoring chance didn't come until the 18th minute when Adam Colon took a pass from Ethan Trudeau and shot it from 20 yards. Colon's high shot looked destined for the top corner but it hit the post. Tewksbury decided to take a tactical shift to their game plan to try and open up the offense by spreading the field and making quick passes. Finally in the 23rd minute the scoring drought was broken when Brandon Alves passed up to Ameen Kalkhoran who dribbled into the right corner, drawing most of the Burlington defenders with him. Kalkhoran switched fields with the ball, crossing it to Brendan Murray who was camped out at the left post. Murray poked the ball into the open net making it 1-0.

Burlington had an opportunity of their own a couple of minutes later. With Tewksbury's defenders playing at midfield to keep the pressure on, the Red Devils got their left forward on a break with a long pass. As the Burlington attacker was bearing down toward the goal, Eric Gallant gave chase and caught up from behind and was able to poke the ball out of bounds, killing the threat. Tewksbury doubled their lead in the 31st minute as Cody Souza took the ball strong on the attack, again to the right side. In a virtual repeat of the first goal, the Burlington squad flowed to the ball. Souza made a high cross, and it was Murray again standing in front of an open net, this time smartly heading the ball into the back of the net.

It took 13 minutes into the second half for Tewksbury to make it 3-0. Fullback Ethan Hepler won a 50/50 ball at the midfield sideline and maintained possession, transitioning to playing like a middie. Thanks to Hepler's attacking play, the ball went out of bounds off a Burlington defender giving Tewksbury a throw-in deep in the Burlington end. Kalkhoran took the ball from the throw-in and battled with the defender who was playing more man than ball. Kalkhoran shrugged off the fullback and blasted a low shot from 19 yards out. The tall Burlington goalie couldn't get down in time to stop the hard shot. Tewksbury had several more chances to extend their lead as they dominated play for the rest of the game. The strong play of middies Rafael Perez and Akash Ranjit allowed Tewksbury to control the middle of the field. Jack Bicknell made a rush to the left side and the Burlington keeper had to make a diving stop to prevent the score. Midfielder Mike Flynn set up Zach Bennett in close but the Burlington keeper was able to get his hands on the ball. Just when it looked like a shut-out was imminent, Burlington had their only offensive threat with less than a minute in the game. After a near score by Alves, the Redmen were caught flat footed as the goalie punted the ball to midfield that rolled to the open field of the Tewksbury end. The Burlington forward raced ahead of the Tewksbury sweeper and broke in alone. Keeper Jeff Carr tried to be aggressive and came out to challenge the shooter. Carr got to his spot about a second too late and his attempt at a sliding block was ineffective and Burlington's only score came just before the final whistle.

GIRLS

Girls U9-1   Tewksbury       1             vs            Somerville       1

The Tewksbury Girls U9-1 travel team faced another tough road challenge this past weekend against Somerville.  Facing not only the bitter cold but also another U10-1 team, this group of 1^st year travel players continue to grind out games against much taller and stronger opponents.     It took the team a few shifts to get going and unfortunately that slow start cost them an early goal.   Not to be deterred, the team fought hard the rest of the way.   Maeve Cahill, Kassidy MacDonald, Aliana Keenan and Katelyn Polimeno continue to be solid week after week on defense against much bigger opponents.   Tewksbury had several chances to score, but none better than when Daniela Alamedia made a beautiful pass to Raia Price, who went in all alone against the Somerville goalie.   The goalie made a great save to keep Tewksbury off the board.   Rachel Picher played a solid game on both sides of the ball, playing both offensive and defensive positions throughout the game. Midway through the 2^nd half Tewksbury’s pressure finally paid off.   Forwards Madison Forgione and Isabella DeMatos worked the ball through the Somerville defense and fed a pass over to winger Jordan Sheehan.   Sheehan attacked and beat the Somerville goalie to the ball and tapped a beautiful shot into the back of the net for her first travel goal.  Playing the 2^nd half in net, Natalia Nickerson played aggressive in goal and helped preserve Tewksbury’s hard fought 1-1 tie

GU10-6           Tewksbury 4 vs. Wilmington 0

The Tewksbury girls GU10-6 4B travel team beat Wilmington in their week six match up.  The Devils were lead onto the field by game captains Tory Sweeney and Julia Kirby.  They were elected by the coaches this week for their strong game play in last week’s game and their effort and leadership over last weeks practice. Arianna Dawson started in goal and played the first half for the Devils.  Arianna Dawson kept Wilmington scoreless in the first half with several strong shots being blocked and the loose balls in front of the net being snatched up by Dawson.  The Devils first goal came at the fifteen minute mark of the first half with Tory Sweeney scoring off well-played passing sequence from Caitlyn Finnegan and Mackenzie Dawson.  Wilmington held the Devils scoreless for the remainder of the first half despite multiple shots on net from Ryan Williams and Abby Hayes.  Iris Diaz-Archilla started in net for the second half and saw few shots on net due to the strong defense of Mackenzie Dawson, Kaitlyn Finnegan Julia Kirby and Abby Demos.    The Devils continued the strong offensive pressure in the second half with multiple shots on goal from Troy Sweeney, Ryan Williams, and Arianna Dawson.  Wilmington’s solid play held the Devils scoreless until half way through the second half Tory Sweeney was able to get the ball to Alexi Pinto who went end to end to score the Devils second goal.  Three minutes later at the sixteen minute mark Ryan Williams fed Tory Sweeney on a pass that led to the third goal of the game.  With minutes remaining of the game Caitlyn Finnegan scored the Devils fourth goal, she was assisted by Alexi Pinto and Tory Sweeney.  Abby Demos finished the game in net to help hold Wilmington scoreless. the Devils second goal.  Three minutes later at the sixteen minute mark Ryan Williams fed Tory Sweeney on a pass that led to the third goal of the game.  With minutes remaining of the game Caitlyn Finnegan scored the Devils fourth goal, she was assisted by Alexi Pinto and Tory Sweeney.  Abby Demos finished the game in net to help hold Wilmington scoreless. 

GU10-3           Tewksbury 4   vs.    Dracut    0

The Tewksbury U10-3 team had another impressive showing on the road, beating Dracut 4-0. The girls started out aggressive and never let up, compiling numerous scoring opportunities with their relentless attacks. Tess Barrett opened the floodgates early on by intercepting a clearing pass from Dracut's keeper and burying it into the net.  Several minutes later Marykate Callinan capitalized on a scramble in front of Dracut's net to push  Tewksbury’s lead to 2-0, where it would stay for the remainder of the half. In the second half Tewksbury picked up right where they left off, with Hayley Taber scoring a goal from outside the eighteen increasing their lead to 3-0.  Alex Fowler wrapped up the scoring for Tewksbury with a goal late in the game to finalize the score at  4-0. Tewksbury’s defense, led by Jade Owirka and Megan Boudreau, was instrumental in keeping the play in Dracut’s end and continuously thwarted any offensive attempts made by the home team.  The shutout was preserved by the combined goaltending efforts of Emma Fleming, Madison Robillard, Michelle Hinkle and Klara Holden, who each made crucial saves to keep Dracut off the scoreboard.

GU10-2           Tewksbury  4   vs         Lowell 1

The TYSL GU10-2 Running Rebels faced Lowell's finest in a match that would be a close match until the end of the game. Tewksbury, determined to remain undefeated for the season, started strong. Forwards Catalina Burke, Sara Boucher, and Makayla Paige began the match with a strong attack on the Lowell net, yielding several shots. One shot slipped through the Lowell keeper's hands, and was almost knocked in by Burke in

a battle in front of the net. Tewksbury would remain offensively strong throughout the half. Forward Isabelle Carleton would be first to find the back of the net, nicely finishing a cross from Makayla Paige. Keeper Abigail Hansbury would make her debut in the Rebel net, making several key saves to keep Lowell scoreless in the first half. Hansbury would contribute offensively in the second half, scoring a picture perfect goal from the front post on a cross from Paige. Lowell then went on the offensive, and took advantage of a defensive mistake that placed the ball in front of the Rebel net. Lowell's forward placed a high shot over Rebel keeper Isabelle Carleton's head, cutting the Rebel lead to one goal. It would be the last defensive mistake the Rebels would make. The

Rebels went on the attack, with forward Hannah Leydon breaking through the Lowell defense but missing the shot. Fullbacks Jessica Scholl and Makenna Rosberg would ensure that the ball would stay on the Lowell side of the pitch by stepping up every time the ball crossed the center line. Forward Jessica Satterfield widened the lead for the Rebels, winning a Lowell goal kick and driving it to the back of the net from just inside

the eighteen. Seconds later, forwards Makalya Paige, Katherine Marquis, and Jessica Satterfield would again score for the Rebels. Paige would earn her third assist and Satterfield her second goal on a cross from Paige that was finished by Satterfield.

GU10-1                       Billerica   2      vs         Tewksbury     0

The LLR played their most complete start to finish game of the season on Saturday.  Going up against an undefeated Billerica squad that had netted 32 goals to date.  The girls play even the whole first half.  Second half was just as strong but the ball found the net for the Billerica team 2 times.  Our goalies played great and every team member on the field did just as well.  The girls continue to grow and learn from these experiences.  Playing as the highest level has had its challenges but the Little Lady Redmen have faced them head on.  Goalkeeping MVP's go to Adrianna Niles, Brenna Cassidy and Allie Indingaro.  Defensive stars go to Julie Figucia, Erin Sands, Katie Macdonald, Alyssa Marchelletta and Brenna Cassidy.  Offensive shooting stars belong to Allie Indingaro, Adrianna Niles, Alexis Raymond, Alexis Polimeno, Abigail MacAllister and Erin McIntyre.  We look forward to getting 2 more cracks at both Wilmington and Billerica in the spring as we work toward our team goal of making it to Commissioners Cup.

GU14-1                       Tewksbury      1   vs                Reading           0

The Redmen traveled to Reading for a cold, early morning game on Saturday.  Despite the cold, the team came out sluggish and let the Rockets control the play.  Tewksbury only attempted one shot in the first half and Lindsey Harris, the Redmen keeper, kept them in the game with her excellent play.  The Redmen seemed to have their hands full with Rockets offense as most of the play was in the Redmen zone.  The defense showed a different look as Sam Surowiec was on the sidelines with an injury.  Rachel Sessa locked down the right side of the field as Andrea Diciaccio had the left and Kelly Fortier and Victoria Mirabito held down the middle.  The first half ended with no scoring.

Just a few minutes into the second half Kayla Devlin sent the ball to open space in the Reading zone and Maggie Penta tracked it down.  Penta made a nice crossing passing to Izzy Picher who tapped it in.  This goal was all the Redmen needed to secure the victory but the game was far from over.  Reading continued their onslaught on the Redmen defense and they had all they could do to get the ball out of bounds.  Harris stood tall in net and played an amazing game to keep the Redmen slim lead.

The Rockets were awarded 10 corner kicks but could not capitalize on any of them.  Playing at midfield, Alison Piricini, Maddy Wescott,  Emily Sessa, and Sam Mercurio dug in deep to help the defense and this turned into a full team effort.  Forwards, Kayla Makooi, Stephanie Graffeo, Devlin, Jess Cacciola, and Penta continued to battle on offensive end but the Rocket’s keeper and defense turned them away. 

Tewksbury won this defensive battle 1-0 and will play at home on Saturday against Stoneham