6/5: Third State Cup Round-Robin Result: Lost versus Juventus 2 - 0. The Western United back four, led by Austin Sniezek, Marty Susskind, Chris Nobes and Peter Kenney, were outstanding, fighting off a dangerous Juventus attack in the first half. Midfielders Mike Griffin, Nate Hazen and C. J. Wilkins, Danny Fisher and Jason Twomey dominated the midfield in the second half. However, Juventus scored their two goals in the second half for the win.
An evenly played first half ended in a 1 - 0 advantage for the visitors from South Shore United. Western United dominated second half play, pounding the South Shore keeping with a barrage of shots, including three shots by Danny Fisher taken outside the 18 that rang off the crossbar. Michael Griffin and Marty Susskind were the outstanding defensive players for Western in the match.
Against last year's State Cup champion, the Western boys came out flat. Inter was held to few shots but finished them well.
Coach Jim Fisher's U-13 Boys traveled to the Farmington Labor Day Tournament in Connecticut where they posted a 1 - 2 record. In the first match against Danbury, CT, Nathan Hazen scored the game winning goal on a shot from the top of the box. For the second goal C.J. Wilkins set up Marty Susskind who fired a first-time rocket into the upper right corner. Gary Popovich, C.J. Wilkins, Jason Twomey, Austin Sniezek and Tanner Halkyard had solid performances in their first Western United game. Chris Nobes was the outstanding defender of the match. In the second game, a strong Simsbury team shut out Western 2 - 0. Recovering from the unexpected loss, the Western boys had to next face Connecticut's best team in this age group, Oakwood S.C.. In a hard-fought battle Oakwood prevailed 1 - 0. Billy Walen was the outstanding field player for Western, pounding numerous shots on the Oakwood keeper, who made some spectacular saves. Western's goalkeeper, Shaun Coughlin, also frustrated the Oakwood attack with some spectacular saves of his own in the second half. Austin Sniezek and Michael Griffin were the outstanding defenders for the Western side.
Team Notes for Spring 2002 (as Under-12s): The overall record of the Under-12 Boys (MAPLE season and tournaments) was 17 - 2 - 0. In the State Cup, the team has thus far gone 5 - 0 - 0 with 12 goals for and none against.
The Western United Under-12 Boys captured the championship of the Holliston Memorial Day Tournament going 6 - 0 - 0 and outscoring opponents, many of them MAPLE sides, 30 - 1 in goals. The individual game results are:
Spring 2002 MAPLE Season
The Western boys opened the season with a strong team performance against a skilled opponent with an excellent keeper. Sporting SC opened the scoring in the first half on a direct kick from 20 yards out. Nate Hazen evened the score on a head pass from Marty Susskind. Sporting SC then took the lead 2 - 1, but Billy Walen tied the game just before the half on a penalty kick. Eric Gillett scored the game winner midway through the second half. New players Nate Hazen, Chris Nobes and Michael Griffin were outstanding in their first Western United game.
Western United took a 1 - 0 lead in the first half when Ian McCormick scored on a rebound shot. Danny Fisher scored the final goal on a back-post cross from Eric Gillett. Chris Nobes preserved the shutout on a kick save from the goal line with five minutes left in the game. Shaun Coughlin and Ian McCormick shared the shutout in goal. Peter Kenney was the outstanding defensive player. Steven Lindhult, playing in his first Western United match, had an excellent game at midfield.
The Western boys had a 3 - 0 lead by halftime on goals by Eric Gillett, Marty Susskind and Chris Nobes. Billy Walen converted a penalty kick early in the second half. Danny Fisher and Eric Gillett had the final two goals of the game. Ian McCormick and Adam Pelloso combined for a shutout in the goal. Zak French was the outstanding defensive player of the game for Western United.
Nathan Hazen scored to give Western a first-half lead against the 2001 Under-11 State Champions. Inter answered with 3 first-half goals to take a commanding 3 - 1 halftime lead. Western United dominated play for most of the second half but was not able to find the net, and surrendered a goal for the final score. The outstanding defensive players for Western United were Chris Nobes and Michael Griffin. Jeff Putnam was the outstanding midfielder.
The Western United boys played their best soccer of the year in their home opener at the Oxbow. Eric Gillett scored the eventual game winner early in the first half. Later in the first half, Marty Susskind converted on a passing sequence initiated by Adam Pelloso and Kyle Wood. Steven Lindhult finished the second half scoring Western's third goal. Michael Griffin was the outstanding defender for the Western side.
Western United scored on a corner kick from Kyle Wood to Billy Walen who headed the ball to Marty Susskind who finished the play. Ian McCormick scored on a rebound from Eric Gillett later in the first half. Billy Walen and Eric Gillett finished the scoring for Western in the second half. Andrew Woods and Adam Pelloso dominated midfield play, while Zak French was the outstanding defender for the winning side.
In their first match of a doubleheader the U-12 Boys faced arguably the best side in their age group. Despite a ferocious Juventus attack, the Western defense held solid and took a 0 - 0 tie into halftime. They continued their excellent defensive play in the second half, surrendering their only goal on a screen shot from the top of the box midway through the second half.
In the nightcap of their doubleheader the Western boys took a 2 - 0 lead into halftime on the strength of goals by Eric Gillett and Billy Whalen and held on for the end result.
Final Record for the Spring MAPLE Season: 6 - 2 - 0 (3rd place in Red Division)
The Western side won the first of two State Cup challenge matches against a strong Nashoba United team who had previously beaten the Western United boys 2 - 1 in the fall of 2001. Billy Whalen scored two goals in the first half. In the second half Nathan Hazen scored on a memorable 20-yard rope to the upper right corner of the net. Shaun Coughlin recorded the shutout in goal. Mike Fiscella was the outstanding midfielder for the Western boys while Danny Fisher and Peter Kenney were standouts defensively.
Fall 2001 MAPLE Season
In one of the most impressive group efforts in the team's history, the Under-12 Boys rallied from a 1 - 1 halftime tie to defeat a formidable Tri-Valley side on goals by Marty Susskind and Ian McCormick. Billy Whalen scored the game winning goal early in the second half. New team members Andrew Woods, Zak French, Jeff Putnam, Marty Susskind and Mike Fiscella were outstanding.
The Under-12 Boys had a solid effort against a well-coached and highly-skilled South Shore team. Goals by Marty Susskind and Eric Gillett were not enough to match the South Shore offense.
Goalkeepers Shaun Coughlin and Ian McCormick combined for the team's first shutout of the season. Eric Gillett led the offensive attack with two goals, while Billy Whalen, Adam Pelloso and Ian McCormick each added tallies and Danny Fisher had 3 assists. Kyle Wood, Peter Kenney and Ryan Loughman shut down a skilled Real Brazil attack.
Western held last year's U-11 Championship finalists scoreless in the first half, but surrendered 4 goals in the second half.
Eric Gillett and Billy Walen each had two goals in the team's first home game of the season. Shaun Coughlin recorded his second shutout of the season in goal and Zak French was outstanding for the home side.
The Western United boys gave the Fuller Hamlets their only non-win of the fall season. The previous unbeaten and untied Fuller Hamlets were held to a 0 - 0 by a tenacious Western defense.
After falling behind by two goals in the first half, Western United dominated play in the second half. After several near misses, Eric Gillett set up Jeff Putnam, who scored from 18 yards out. Western continued to carry play in to the final minutes, but couldn't come up with the equalizer.
Ludlow Columbus Day Tournament
The Western United Under-12 Boys finished with a 1 - 1 - 1 record in the tournament. In the opening match Western fell to last year's Under-11 State Champion Inter FC in a windswept game. They bounced back in the afternoon match with a solid performance against Juventus Western Mass, tying their local opponents 2 - 2. Sweeper/midfielder Kyle Wood was performed excellently in goal, while Billy Walen and Marty Susskind provided the scoring. On Sunday, the boys defeated South Coast 3 - 0 on goals by Mike Fisher, Jeff Putnam and Mike Fiscella. The defense was solidly anchored by Ryan Loughman, while Andrew Woods directed play in the midfield.