The Palm Beach Nomads found themselves in a bittersweet situation as a result of their Under-14 Division championship showing at the Florida Youth Soccer association State Cup tournament
The Nomads won the first girls’ title in the club’s history with a 5-0 victory over Bay United at the Lake Myrtle Soccer Complex in Auburndale. But they won’t be representing Florida in the United States Southern Regional showcase in Tennessee due to injuries and previous commitments
Regardless, Head Coach Jayson Chung called the championship “a wonderful experience.”
“Some of the girls won a high school championship with American Heritage (Delray), so it was fantastic to win both,” Chung said.
Sabrina Chung and Mayra Pelayo each scored twice, while Giovana Giraldo notched the other goal. Goalkeeper Courtney Tompkins had six saves to record her fifth shutout in seven State Cup games.
The core of the team has been together since they were in the under-9 age group in the Delray Soccer Club. When they were under-11s, they moved to the Palm Beach Soccer Academy.
Bay United entered the title game having outscored the opposition, 10-0, so Chung was a little surprised at the lopsided score in the final.
“We do create a lot of chances, and sometimes we finish and sometimes we don’t,” said Chung, whose team scored on three set plays: two free kicks and a corner kick. “That was one of those days when the ball went in.”
The Nomads team also includes Caitlin Kader, Marli Batiste, Celene Gayle, Kylie Borislow, Khara Vassell, Katelynne Bollella, Theresa Jacobs, Jessica Andrade, Dominique Cole, Veranda Riccardi and Daniela Justiniano-Gutierrez. Dan Borislow and Andrew Vassell assist with the coaching.
Team Boca under-18 boys are tops in State Cup tournament
Carlos Flores scored off an assist from Boris Bozic in the closing moments as the Team Boca Under-18 Division boys’ squad blanked SAA Real Madrid, 1-0, in the championship game.
Team Boca won all seven of its State Cup games in Auburndale. The undefeated run, which earned them a trip to the Southern Regional tourney in Tennessee, included six shutouts and a first round 1-0 victory over Florida Rush Nike, the two-time defending state champion.
The local under-18s also prevailed in their semifinal encounter as they ousted the Florida Rush Swoosh, 1-0, on another late goal by Roberto Rivera off a cross from Ronald Garcia-Hernandez.
“Both games were a true testament of this team’s character and resilience, fighting to the end with both goals being scored at the end of each game,” said Team Boca Coach Michael Araujo. “This was a well-earned state title in all aspects of youth soccer.”
Other members of the team are Jake Weiss, Brian Burkard, Conor Hagan, Jorge Briceno, Ryan Heagen, Danny Montoya, Matheus Kroeff, Guy Capozza, Dennis Teixeira, Warren Glotzbach, Eric Tarmey, Daniel Teixeira, Guillermo Camarena, Taylor Lombardo and Jeffrey Madsen. The assistant coach is Jason Versage.
Team Boca under-18 girls squad is State Cup runner-up
The defending state champion Team Boca Under-18 Division girls’ team dropped a last minute 4-3 decision to Ponte Vedra to take second place in the recent State Cup action at the Lake Myrtle Soccer Complex.
Despite the setback, Team Boca will still make the trip to the Southern Regional based on its runner-up finish in the Region III Fall Premier League earlier this year.
Karina Rodriguez, Abby Carr and Jennifer Martin scored for the locals in the title game.
“Every goal was just a great goal,” said Team Boca Coach Brian Dooley, who also mentors the women’s soccer team at Florida Atlantic University. “It was first class all around.”
The two finalists have dominated the age groups since they were Under-14s.
“We are both going to regionals, and it has been the same way for the last four or five years,” said Dooley, who has coached the team for the past three seasons. “There are two very good teams representing the state.”
Other members of the Team Boca squad are Brianna Stampler, Claire Cerda, Gilda Doria, Alexi Zaremba, Kaitlyn Manning, Bonnie Campbell, Hannah Speer, Miranda Fyfe, Ana Cuffia, Tatiana Coleman, Natalie Punal, Monterae Carter, Lauren Silver and Ashley Oswald.
Gary Curreri writes a monthly soccer column covering adult and travel league programs. To submit information, email , call 954-755-6778, or fax to 954-227- 4279.
