They're at it again: Newburyport trio lead Aztecs to state title

June 16, 2008 12:15 am

—

On Soccer

John Shimer

Fans of the Newburyport girls soccer team remember that Jillian Kinter, Laura Muise, and Taylor Bresnahan were vital members of the Clippers squad that won its first ever state championship last fall.

On Sunday that same trio completed the double by adding a state title for its club team — the U17 Aztecs — in Maple, the premier soccer league in Massachusetts. The title qualified the team for the Region 1 Championships starting June 26 in Portland, Maine.

Having earned a berth in the state semifinal for a fifth consecutive season after winning the State Cup Round Robin grouping, the Aztecs defeated Mass Premier Soccer (MPS), 3-0, Saturday morning to book their place in the final for only the second time in team history.

What the Aztecs faced was familiar foe — Stars of Mass. — who were not only ranked first in Region 1, but eliminated the Aztecs last year in humiliating fashion, 7-1, in the semifinal.

With several different changes in the make-up of the team from a year ago, including adding one of the state's top goalies in Governor's Academy's Erin Quinlan, the Aztecs took the game to their rivals.

Stars opened the scoring seven minutes into the game, but the Aztecs rebounded tying the score five minutes later and then going ahead after Taylor Bresnahan placed her shot in the lower left netting another five minutes after the team's first goal.

In the second half, Stars would again tie the score sending the game into overtime, but despite having one substitute on the bench, the Aztecs dominated play, slotting home two more goals to take the championship, 4-2.

"I thought overtime would be even more difficult because that meant another 30 minutes with limited subbing, but by the time OT was over the other team had hardly touched the ball and we had scored two more," said Aztecs coach Matt Kersker, adding his team controlled 65 percent of the possession in OT. "We were just so determined and very fit, the girls really understood game management and were able to dictate the pace of the game.

"Winning a state title as this level is a far different cry than at the high-school level," Kersker continued. "Maple is the best of the best. Every player at this level will play at a high level in college, which is what makes this an incredible feat."

According to Muise, this was the crowning achievement in an already stellar career.

"I am even more proud of this because it means a lot more to know that you are the best playing against every player in the state," Muise stated. "In Maple there are more private school players, and not just the people in Division 3 in high school (the division in which Newburyport High plays), so it's a great accomplishment to do this at the state level for a club team."

Playing in several preseason tournaments, including the PDA showcase in New Jersey, Kinter said the Aztecs were very well prepared and highly motivated to get over the hump this season.

"Last year they (Stars) beat us 7-1, and that gave us the motivation to show them that we are a completely different team — that we have matured since last year," Kinter said. "I think PDA was also great preparation. We played against a lot of the great teams from around the country, and beating some of those top teams gives us confidence going into regionals."

In Portland, the Aztecs will face the state champions from the rest of the New England states as well as Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to go to nationals against the three other regional champions.

"We're really excited, and I think we have a good shot at pushing through to nationals," Kersker said. "It's almost a dream, only four teams can go, but if there's any team that can do it, it is this one."

Soccer jamboree a hit for RESTORE

The first Newburyport Youth Soccer Association in-town jamboree at World War Memorial Saturday was a tremendous success raising over $6,500 for both RESTORE and the Newburyport High girls soccer program's efforts to field a freshmen team next year.

Hosting all 52 of NYSA's in-town teams, over 1,000 Newburyport residents enjoyed the festivities in and around the stadium as soccer games consumed the field, music bellowed out through the public address system, and carnival activities kept those not playing entertained on the sidelines.

With local merchants, nonprofit groups, and organizations like the women's professional soccer team, the Boston Breakers, NYSA in-town director Jay Iannini said the event was a great promotion of the Newburyport community. In all, RESTORE raised nearly $5,500 toward the project's goal to repair the stadium and put in a brand-new turf field.

"We absolutely exceeded our expectations," Iannini said. "The parents really stepped up and I was really impressed by everyone's generosity."

Building upon the positive feedback, Iannini and NYSA hope to make the jamboree an annual event.

"The kids really enjoyed it, which is great because it's really about them," Iannini commented. "They loved being able to dunk coaches and hear their names called out over the PA system for the medal presentations after the game.

"Next year we would like to expand the event and potentially have more carnival type events, maybe even a skills contest for the kids," said Iannini, adding NYSA will probably look to avoid Father's Day weekend next year. "We have a great group of people that are very creative, and hopefully next year we can get even more participation."

John Shimer is a staff writer for The Daily News. E-mail him at jshimer@newburyportnews.com.

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.