HYSA Teams Victorious in Columbus Day Tournament

Holliston Youth Soccer was represented at Natick Soccer’s 30th Columbus Day Tournament by  five teams from the HYSA program. Natick’s tournament has grown to become a very fun and competitive tournament for travel soccer teams throughout New England and hit a record of 300 teams this year. The tournament is a patch tournament where the teams exchange their club patches after the game.

The Holliston Cannons, U11 boys, had a 3-0 record in round-robin play in the beta group against Millis Mohawks, Medway Mustangs and Natick Storm. In the championship game, they took on a strong Millis side. After a scoreless first half, Millis scored first against Holliston, but the Cannons bounced right back with a goal and followed up with two more to win 3-1 and capture the U11 title. The team was rewarded with trophies. The players are Nikko Alwani, Lars Bergstrom, Tyler Cotting, Griffin Delin, Benjamin Fink, Jake Heihsel, Evan Katz, Will McGovern, Yavar Mehdipor, Henry Naughton, Zach Nersessian, Johnny Paecht and Dylan Potemri.  The team is coached by Robyn Alwani and John Potemri.

The Holliston Chaos, U14 girls, also went 3-0 with victories over Natick Warriors, Canton Lady Bull Dogs and Natick Power Strikers in the U14 delta group. They defeated the Framingham Falcons in a shootout after playing to a 0-0 tie in the semi-finals.  After falling behind Canton in the first half 0-1, Holliston scored two unanswered goals to win the championship.  Natick Soccer presented the players with trophies.

The players are Kelsey Beck, Erika Bridges, Megan Burke, Annie Croke, Kelsey Crowley, Nathalie Falco, Jill Foley, Ashley Fondo, Sarah Gallagher, Brooke Geoffroy, Morgan Geoffroy, Hana Gross, Haley Hanstad, Harriet Koblenzer, Laura Labb, Catie Maroney, Kathleen McShane, Amber Mitchell, Elizabeth O'Neil, and Olivia Tornifoglio.  The team is coached by Garth Fondo and Jeff Geoffroy.

The Holliston Panthers, U14 girls, coached by Jayne Paolilo, played in the competitive alpha group, going 1-1-1 with a win over Dedham Bulldogs, loss to Arlington Riptide and a draw with Framingham Storm.

In a competitive U12 girls alpha group, the Holliston Pink Panthers, coached by Gerard Verbeek, went 1-1-1, dropping their opener to the Medfield Breakers, then drawing with the Wilmington Wildcats and defeating the Northborough Wanderers.Holliston Panthers U10 Boys coached by Paul Goughan, played matches against Newton Wildcats, Framingham Flyers, Newton Rampant Lions and Milton Wolves, and received participation trophies.

CANNONS: Bottom left: Dylan Potemri, Ben Fink, Nikko Alwani, Griffin Delin, Johnny Paecht, Yavar Mehdipor, Evan Katz;
Top left: Coach Robyn Alwani, Tyler Cotting, Lars Bergstrom, Henry Naughton, Will McGovern, Zach Nersessian, Jake Heihsel, Coach John Potemri

CHAOS:  Bottom lef: Nathalie Falco, Catie Maroney, Elizabeth O'Neil, Haley Hanstad, Hana Gross, Harriet Koblenzer, Laura Labb, and Morgan Geoffroy; Top left: Coach Jeff Geoffroy, Sarah Gallagher, Kelsey Beck, Jill Foley, Annie Croke, Kathleen McShane, Ashley Fondo, Olivia Tornifoglio, Kelsey Crowley, and coach Garth Fondo;
Missing from photo: Erica Bridges, Megan Burke, Brooke Geoffroy, and Amber Mitchell.