Tonight’s lower field 2nd games in the Watermelon Cup were very good ones. Netherlands won a back-and-forth match against Chad 8-7, while USA’s strong 2nd half propelled them to a 5-4 victory over Argentina.
Both Somalia and Netherlands surged past Argentina on the basis of today’s play. Next week concludes regular season Watermelon Cup play; the semifinals and finals (plus consolation matches) are set for the following Wednesday (August 11).
Click here for complete standings and scores.
Today’s goalkeepers may not know who Shane Kennedy ’72 is: the state championship-winning keeper who set an NCAA record for career shutouts at Babson College, then was drafted by the New York Cosmos.
They may not have even heard his name.
But yesterday Kennedy — in town from his California home — spent nearly 2 hours putting Michael McCarthy ’10 and rising sophomore James Hickok through their paces at Wakeman.
Kennedy — wearing a “Dominate the Box” t-shirt — is a noted keeper coach in Northern California. Many of his players have gone on to stellar college careers.
By the end of the session, McCarthy and Hickok knew who Kennedy was: the real deal.
Shane Kennedy '72 (center) warms up Michael McCarthy (left) and James Hickok.
Posted in Alumni, Current players
Tagged James Hickok, Michael McCarthy, Shane Kennedy
Michael McCarthy — the Washington University-bound goalkeeper who helped lead Staples to state and FCIAC championships last fall — is one of 4 winners of the prestigious Marshall Raidbard Scholarship.
Michael McCarthy in action last fall.
The $1,500 award — presented by the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association’s Southwest District — goes to players who have been involved with the district. Michael has been both a player and referee. The application process includes an essay.
Michael is one of 4 winners this year. Another awardee — Sarah Frassetto of St. Joseph High School — is the daughter of Don Frassetto ’78. Interestingly, he is a former Staples teammate of Michael’s father Stuart. She will attend Fairfield University this fall — and be a teammate of Alli Walsh, whose brother Connor is currently a Wrecker varsity keeper.
The Staples soccer connections run broad and deep.
With Ross McGibney returning to school, the Staples boys soccer program needs a new junior varsity coach.
Qualifications include a strong knowledge of the game; a desire to pass along passion and enthusiasm to a great group of young players; an appreciation for the Staples boys soccer program’s tradition and values; an understanding of teenagers; a willingness to work hard, and an ability to have fun.
Interested candidates should contact head coach Dan Woog: dwoog@optonline.net.
The 2009 Staples junior varsity team.
Posted in General news
The Tuesday, August 31 tryout times and sites have been altered slightly for boys in grades 10-12. Check below for the complete dates, times, sites and information needed.
For boys entering grades 10, 11 and 12: All tryouts at Wakeman B (except the morning of August 29, as noted below)
“We will take as long as needed to get a good look at everyone,” says head coach Dan Woog. “We will not make any decisions until at least the 1st 3 sessions.”
All candidates should attend each session, and bring a ball, water and shin guards. Permission and physical forms A, B (or HAR-3) and C must be completed, handed in and approved before the 1st tryout — no one can take the field without acceptance of all 3 forms. Click here to download the forms.
————————————-
For boys entering Grade 9: All tryouts at Wakeman B
Coach Chris O’Dell will take as long as needed to get a good look at everyone. No decisions will be made until at least the 1st 3 sessions.
All candidates should attend each session, and bring a ball, water and shin guards. Permission and physical forms A, B (or HAR-3) and C must be completed, handed in and approved before the 1st tryout — no one can take the field without acceptance of all 3 forms. Click here to download the forms.
—————————————-
Questions? Call head coach Dan Woog (203-227-1755), or email him: dwoog@optonline.net.
The 1st day of tryouts last August. Fitness counts! (Photo by Carl McNair)
Posted in General news
Shaking off an 0-3-1 start to the Watermelon Cup, Argentina won twice in Week 3. La Albiceleste leaped from last place to 3rd, with the twin wins.
Brazil and USA maintained their unbeaten status. At 5-0-1, they share the top spot. They drew 2-2 last week, and meet again July 28.
The Netherlands and Somalia stumbled, with 2 losses each tonight.
Click here for complete standings and results.
Posted in General news
Sanders McNair '09 (left) models "WTF" shirts with non-soccer players Petey Menz and Catherine Coughlin.
The former goalkeeper and Irish organic farmer is spending the summer working at the Town Farm on Cross Highway.
To find out why he’s wearing a “WTF” t-shirt — and why it’s newsworthy — click here.
PS: Also working at the Town Farm this summer: former captain, now Boston College-bound Jack Hennessy ’10.
Robert Brickley — who will serve as co-captain of the 2010 University of Connecticut men’s soccer team — has a great pedigree. His father, Neil Brickley ’71, also served as a Husky captain.
Robert Brickley (Photograph by Stephen Slade)
Robert — a civil engineering major — is familiar to Wrecker soccer fans. A 4-year starter at Wethersfield High School, he led the Eagles to 2 state championships. As a senior he earned both All-America and Scholar All-America honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. He was also named Connecticut Junior Soccer Association Player of the Year.
Neil is a longtime supporter of the Staples boys soccer program, most recently with videography projects.
Congratulations to the Brickley family — go Huskies!
Posted in Alumni, General news
Tagged Neil Brickley, Robert Brickley, University of Connecticut men's soccer
Several dozen Staples soccer players, families, alumni and friends crowded into spread out in Dan Donovan ’81′s handsome home this afternoon for the World Cup final.
Some wore Spain jerseys; others were decked out in orange (including Dr. Jono Sollinger ’86′s shoes). Alex Tonsberg, a rising junior, contributed a vuvuzela, direct from South Africa.
The players watched on a 119″ screen downstairs. The oldsters were upstairs. All enjoyed plenty of food and drinks — and a very enjoyable end to a very entertaining month of action.
Michael McCarthy (foreground) leads the World Cup-watching at Dan Donovan's home.
Thanks, Dan and Nicole Donovan, and all the parents who contributed to today’s event. We’re already looking forward to 2014.
The entire 2010 Staples soccer calendar — from the 1st day of tryouts (Saturday, August 28) to the last match of the regular season — is available online.
Matches and training sessions are included for all 3 Wrecker squads: varsity, junior varsity and freshman.
Click the “Calendar” tab at the top of the Staples Soccer.com home page — or here — to see the entire 2010 calendar — and check back often.
(The schedules themselves — without the training calendars — are available through the “This Season” tab at the top of the StaplesSoccer.com home page.)
Will scenes like this be repeated in 2010? Check out the online calendar, to catch all the action.
