Red Fury Clinch Back-to-Back Pingree Titles

North Andover’s U12 Division I Red Fury soccer team has secured a return to this weekend’s Massachusetts Tournament of Champions (MTOC) for another run at the State Championship after winning the Essex County Championship for the second straight year.

The Red Fury came into the ECYSA tournament as the top seed in its division, having finished its spring season atop its group.  The skilled and disciplined team outlasted the tough Topsfield Fire squad on Saturday, June 16th with an overtime goal by Austin Ward off a precision assist from David Sciaudone.  Sam “The Bull” Naftal recorded a shutout in goal through 50 minutes of regulation plus the extra period.

An early championship match on Sunday morning pitted the Red Fury against a talented Newburyport side looking to continue its run after defeating Andover in a hotly contested penalty-kick finish on Saturday.  But this day belonged to the Fury. North Andover went to halftime locked at 1-1, with the sole goal coming off a Nick Coutracos blast that deflected off a defending player.  The fit and full-squad Red Fury took momentum in the second half, controlling play and scoring with a cross-ball finish by Luke Disalvo and a tough-angle left-foot drive by Connor Willis.  After giving up a late goal, the team held on for a 3-2 win with controlling midfield play by Reuben Philip, outside midfield support from Matty Waterman and a hustling transition game from Matt Shea.

The Red Fury defensive unit has been stingy all season, with an aggressive style anchored by sweeper Bassel Elbetanony and outside backs Michael Sullivan, Dan Packard, Timmy Liu and Andy Pelletier.

With the experience of last year’s trip to the State Championship Tournament, the team looks forward to a strong finish at MTOC this year.  Preparations are underway for the boys’ first game on Friday afternoon in Lancaster, MA against South Shore champs Braintree.

The team would like to thank their parents and families for all their support during this amazing two-year run, and wish the best of luck to their friends on the North Andover All-5th Grade FC United team, who will be competing at MTOC as well.

More information about these teams can be found on NASA’s website at www.nasoccer.com.