Tewksbury Youth Soccer Travel Teams Kick Off Fall 2010 Season

The Tewksbury Youth Soccer League's fall travel teams began their seasons on the morning of Saturday Sept. 11.

A total of 28 travel teams will represent Tewksbury against other teams from the Middlesex Youth Soccer League throughout the fall season. Eleven of them kicked off the fall season at Sal Frasca Soccer Complex in Tewksbury on a warm, sunny and ideal day for soccer.

The morning and early afternoon were a showcase for three girls' U-14 (age under 14) teams. The division 2 girls' team hosted Dracut, the division 3 team hosted Lowell and the division 4 team hosted Reading. The matinee matchup featured the U-14 boys' division 2 team hosting Westford's division 1 team and featured even competition and some late game drama.

The game was tied 2-2 in the second half when Westford pulled ahead by scoring with 15 minutes remaining. Tewksbury did not get discouraged and remained focused. Trailing 3-2 with less than five minutes remaining, the Tewksbury boys were awarded a penalty kick.

The shot went off the left post, back to the shooter, and was blasted past the Westford goalkeeper for what appeared to be the game tying goal. Tewksbury celebrated, but the goal was disallowed because penalty kicks that rebound off the post can't be shot again unless the goalkeeper touches the ball first.

Tewksbury's boys didn't let that deflate them either. They were awarded a free kick deep within Westford territory a few minutes later. The initial shot was saved by the Westford keeper, but he couldn't contain the rebound.

The ball hit the back of the net and the Tewksbury shooter sprinted up the sideline and embraced his teammates in celebration (see video). The goal secured a 3-3 tie and an undefeated record to begin the fall season for this Tewksbury boys' team.

Noberto Felix, coach of the U-14 boys division 2 team, was pleased with the result, but saw some room for improvement.

"Could be better, but not too bad," he commented on his team's performance. Felix has been coaching youth soccer for five years and has been a Tewksbury resident for more than 20 years.

"It's good to get back out on the field after the summer break," he remarked. "It's a pretty intense competition throughout the whole season. We play a lot of towns like Wilmington and Woburn and they can be very tough competition. They usually field very good teams so it's intense," he commented about the league.

Kimberly Carrol, age 18, refereed the game. She has seven years of experience refereeing youth soccer,

"Tewksbury is a very good program to get into. It keeps you in shape and the directors are very nice," she said.

The U-14 division 3 boys had the field next for a match with Westford's division 4 team, which was refereed by Lou Barenelli and two assistants. Barenelli has been refereeing youth soccer matches for four years.

"I think Tewksbury youth soccer league is a top notch program," he felt. "They do a great job with the kids. All volunteer coaches, board of directors. They do a real good job of providing a good soccer program for the kids of Tewksbury," he continued.

The last game of the afternoon for the youngsters was a U-10 matchup between the division 4 boys of Tewksbury and the division 6 boys of Somerville. A 5-1 Tewksbury victory sent the hometown kids and their parents home smiling on the sunny Saturday afternoon.

Glenn Thompson, parent of one U-14 team member, is a longtime Tewksbury resident whose son has been playing youth soccer since he was five years old.

"This time of season it starts to get a little more chilly, but as far as the sport itself it's real fun watching the children's reactions, good, bad or indifferent," he commented during halftime of the game.

The sideline for every single game was lined with dozens of supporters creating nice cheering sections and an exciting atmosphere.

"Tewksbury Youth Soccer is a very dedicated organization in providing all they can for these children to be successful. It's fun watching them grow through the program and I think they do very well every year," Thompson said.

Next Saturday, the action intensifies with 10 boys and girls travel teams continuing the fall season at Sal Franca Soccer Complex. Three division 1 games will take place during another all day local soccer event.

Today (Sunday) TYSL will be hosting its annual Kickoff Day celebration on from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Frasca Fields. There will be fun activities, including a dunk tank, inflatables, obstacle course, games,  face painting and a DJ providing music. There will also be free popcorn, and giveaways.

For further information, or to volunteer an hour or two, please contact Andrea Regina at fundraising@tewksburyyouthsoccer.org, or 978-455-2038.

Visit http://www.tewksburyyouthsoccer.org/ for schedule and more information.

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