Sports

SLIDESHOW: Hosts Show Up Strong for the KINGS FC Soccer Cup


The 3rd Annual KINGS FC Cup spring preseason tournament was held Sunday, March 16 at the training home of KINGS FC, Suburban Athletic Club, on the indoor turf field.

The KINGS FC Cup is held annually in preparation for the very important spring club soccer season.

KINGS FC (Framingham) were joined by the James Bede Soccer Academy (Wayland) Boston United, (Newton) and Best FC (Northborough).

The tournament kicked off with the Boys under 11 bracket.

Game one matched KINGS FC versus the James Bede Soccer Academy. KINGS FC came out fast and quickly scored the contests opening goal courtesy of Kaio Veigas (Framingham), soon after Angel Rodriguez (Framingham) put his shot into the top right hand corner to give KINGS FC a 2-0 lead. With minutes remaining Kevin Brosmith (Natick) bustled through the JBSA defense to score KINGS FC’s third goal of the match. JBSA was able to net a consolation goal before time expired. Final score 3-1 KINGS FC.

The second match of the BU11 bracket saw Boston United take on JBSA. The opening minutes provided scoring chances for both sides however neither side was able to break through. At the end of regulation Boston United proved to be the stronger side, winning 4-0.

The final match of the BU11 bracket placed both undefeated teams against each other. KINGS FC and Boston United were both hungry for the tournament title. Boston United was able to convert a chance early in the game to take a 1-0. Soon after, Kaio Veigas scored his second goal of the tournament with a jaw-dropping half volley that tied the game at one a piece. Both teams continued to push the envelope, looking for the go-ahead goal. Boston United was able to break through and take a 2-1 lead with five minutes remaining. Boston United scored the game securing final goal with little time on the clock to take a 3-1 lead. Boston United finished with a record of 2-0 and were tournament champions.

Next up was the Girls under 11 division. The opening match was between KINGS FC and Best FC. KINGS FC jumped out to an early lead thanks to a well-placed shot by Alex McGrath (Natick). 

Eight minutes later, Hannah Krier (Framingham) put her name on the score sheet with a beautiful one-time volley into the top left hand corner. KINGS FC continued to put the pressure on and with six minutes remaining Claire Maxwell (Natick) delivered a dangerous back post cross that Megan Putvinski (Holliston) finished to take a 3-0 lead. Best FC fought hard and was able to score their lone goal of the game with two minutes remaining. KINGS FC took game one, 3-1.

Match two of the GU11 division was between Best FC and Boston United. Both sides had plenty of scoring chances however neither was able to break through and the game ended in a 0-0. 

The third and final match of the Girls U11 division matched both undefeated squads against each other. KINGS FC had a record of 1-0-0 and Boston United had a record of 0-0-1. Ellie Tyska (Natick) opened the scoring with a highlight reel 360⁰ half volley into the top corner on a feed from Alexa Kaplan (Hopkinton). Minutes later, Kelty Kober (Holliston) won the ball back in the middle of the field with a hard tackle and coolly placed the ball into the top right hand corner to take a 2-0 lead. Boston United made a late push however were unable to convert thanks to stellar goal keeping from Maree  Donaghy (Natick). At the end of regulation the final score was 2-0 in favor of KINGS FC, the GU11 Bracket Champions.

Due to larger roster sizes, the night games for the Under 12 and Under 13 age divisions had a different format.

One 50 minute game was played, rather than two, 25 minute games. First up was the boys under 12 match-up between KINGS FC and JBSA.

KINGS FC came out flying and were rewarded with a goal from winger Emmett Bernstein (Framingham). Soon after, KINGS FC stand out Jose Flores (Framingham) blasted his shot from twenty yards out into the top right hand corner to take a 2-0 lead. John Steenbruggen (Framingham) joined in on the scoring with a well-placed right footed shot into the bottom right hand corner. JBSA kept chipping away and were rewarded with a goal of their own. Final score 3-1 KINGS FC.

The Girls under 12 contest faced KINGS FC and Best FC (GU13) against each other. KINGS FC came out strong and put the visitors under heavy pressure but failed to convert. Best FC was able to take a 2-0 lead before Jenna Forman (Natick) pulled one back for KINGS FC. Despite many positive moments for KINGS FC, they fell to Best FC 4-1.

The final match of the day was a club grudge match between KINGS FC and Best FC. Each club had defeated each other once earlier in the day. KINGS FC GU13 scored in the second minute via a Payton Kober (Holliston) far post finish. A minute later, Maddie Cerulli (Holliston) scored her first goal of the contest with a low right footed shot from distance to give KINGS FC a 2-0 lead. In the seventh minute Molly Burnes (Natick) beat her defender to the far post to finish a cross from Maddie Cerulli. KINGS FC would go on to score another 10 goals thanks to four goals from Fiona Moore (Natick), two goals from Nicole Maxwell (Natick), two goals from Tess Lawson (Framingham), a 
second from Maddie Cerulli, and a single tally from Hannah Grupposo (Natick). The final score was 13-0.

“I am very happy with the performances from all of our teams today, it is always great to get some wins under your belt to boost the player’s confidence heading into the spring season. We saw a lot of great soccer today, great decision-making, some spectacular goals, and lots of smiles," said Shawn McDonough KINGS FC Director of Soccer and GU11 & GU13 Head Coach.

Next year, the KINGS FC Cup will be held at Framingham State University and expand to include the U9-U14 age groups.

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Thanks to Cummings Photography of Framingham for the slideshow of photos from the 2014 KINGS FC Cup.


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