Spartans Junior Boys Soccer Team 2007

Monday, October 22

Team effort leads to huge 3-2 victory versus MVR  

The team played a hard-fought game today and essentially came from behind on two occasions to defeat first-place Massey-Vanier High School. The first goal came off a skilled header by Massimo Manago Di Buono and a great set up by In Won Lee. With the game tied at 1, MVR scored early in the second half to go up 2-1. However, the skilled duo hadn’t said their final words, for Massimo placed a corner kick perfectly in the box and In Won made sure to redirect the ball in the back of the net to tie things up at two goals apiece. A few minutes later the team benefited from a penalty and Massimo fired home the winning strike. This was a much needed win, for the boys played with determination and character after having loss at MVR a few weeks ago. Solid TEAM effort! Next up – Alexander Galt on Wednesday and Playoffs on Saturday.  

Effort – Heart - Character

Overall Record 9 – 2 – 1 League Record 5-2-0 GF 49 GA 23
SC 2 Tilton School JV 2 (Scrimmage)
SC 6 Lower Canada College 0 (BCS Tourney)
SC 6 Centennial Academy 2 (BCS Tourney)
SC 7 Bishop’s College School 0 (BCS Tourney)
SC 3 Loyola 2 (BCS Tourney Final – Penalty Kicks)
SC 5 Richmond Regional 2
SC 4 Alexander Galt 1
SC 3 Bishop’s College School 1
SC 1 Massey Vanier 4
SC 3 Richmond Regional 0
SC 3 Bishop’s College School 5
SC 3 Massey Vanier 2

Scoring Leaders
Massimo Manago Di Buono 20
In Won Lee 6
Ryan Bedard 5
Anthony Fyfe-Miller 4
Anand Kantharoup 4
Gabriel Belanger 4
Ngwa Numfor 3
Ryan Smith 2
Chan Kim 1

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Wednesday, October 17

SC        3          BCS                 5

Wednesday, October 10

SC        3          Richmond          0

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Tuesday, October 2

MVR hands Spartans first loss of the season

This afternoon the Massey Vanier Vikings handed us our first loss of the season. In the first half they completely dominated the play and essentially won every loose ball to take a three-goal lead. I am especially frustrated with our lack of competitive drive and inability to take responsibility defensively, for we allowed three goals by being lazy in our own end. Unacceptable!

The second half saw a fury of physical play on both sides and a series of yellow and red cards handed out to both teams. Although we split the half on the scoreboard and outplayed them in the play, the reality is that our efforts were far too late to make a difference in the game. I am not disappointed with the loss, for losing is a part of athletic play. However, I am disappointed with the way we lost. Character, attitude and the will to compete mean everything and today we just didn’t have the will to match up against a very fast and talented team. In a few years the scores won’t matter but your character will follow you forever.

"In the end, it’s extra effort that separates a winner from second place. But winning takes a lot more than that, too. It starts with complete command of the fundamentals. Then it takes desire, determination, discipline, and self-sacrifice. And finally, it takes a great deal of love, fairness and respect for your fellow man. Put all these together, and even if you don’t win, how can you lose?"

-Jesse Owens

Overall Record 7 – 1 – 1 League Record 3 - 1 – 0 GF 40 GA 13

SC 2 Tilton School JV 2 (Scrimmage)
SC 6 Lower Canada College 0 (BCS Tourney)
SC 6 Centennial Academy 2 (BCS Tourney)
SC 7 Bishop’s College School 0 (BCS Tourney)
SC 3 Loyola 2 (BCS Tourney Final – Penalty Kicks)
SC 5 Richmond Regional 2 |
SC 4 Alexander Galt 1
SC 3 Bishop’s College School 1
SC 1 Massey Vanier 4

Scoring Leaders
Massimo Manago Di Buono 13
Ryan Bedard 5
Anthony Fyfe-Miller 4
Anand Kantharoup 4
Gabriel Belanger 4
In Won Lee 4
Ngwa Numfor 3
Ryan Smith 2
Chan Kim 1

"Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising each and every time we fail."
      -Confucius

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Friday, September 28

Spartans edge BCS 3-1 in the rain

This afternoon the team edged BCS 3-1 to move to a 3-and-0 record in league play. We got off to a good start with an early goal from Gabriel Belanger on a great through ball. However, BCS took it to us for the majority of the first half. The second half began with more pressure from the Crusaders and saw them tie things up after a complete defensive zone breakdown. Fortunately, we were able to regain momentum after Massimo Manago Di Buono let a ball sail from virtually just inside the half to catch the BCS keeper off his goal-line. The boys then never really looked back. In Won Lee added an insurance goal with just a few minutes left to play.

Although we won again today, the reality is that we are still not regularly capitalizing on our opportunities and giving up far too many chances to our opponents. This week’s theme will be finishing loose balls and winning balls in the midfield. We’ve been very successful but I feel our best soccer is still ahead of us.

Weekly Forecast
Monday: Practice – 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday: @ Massey Vanier Regional
- Dismissal 2:00 p.m.
- Departure 2:10 p.m.
- Game 4:00 p.m.

Overall Record 7 – 0 – 1 League Record 3 - 0 – 0 GF 39 GA 12
SC 2 Tilton School JV 2 (Scrimmage)
SC 6 Lower Canada College 0 (BCS Tourney)
SC 6 Centennial Academy 2 (BCS Tourney)
SC 7 Bishop’s College School 0 (BCS Tourney)
SC 3 Loyola 2 (BCS Tourney Final – Penalty Kicks)
SC 5 Richmond Regional 2 |
SC 4 Alexander Galt 1
SC 3 Bishop’s College School 1

Scoring Leaders
Massimo Manago Di Buono 13
Ryan Bedard 5
Anthony Fyfe-Miller 4
Anand Kantharoup 4
Gabriel Belanger 4
Ngwa Numfor 3
In Won Lee 3
Ryan Smith 2
Chan Kim 1

"Excellence is not a singular act but a habit. You are what you do repeatedly."
       -Shaquille O’Neal

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Wednesday, September 26

Spartans upset Galt 4-1 on the road

On a beautiful fall afternoon in Lennoxville, the team took to the pitch to play traditional rival Alexander Galt High School. We began the match with lots of energy in the first four minutes but the game turned against us as Galt took over with significant speed and two particularly dangerous drives that could have easily changed the complexion of the game. Fortunately, we took advantage of our own opportunities and were able to finish the half up 2-0. The individual play of Massimo Manago Di Buono continued to be the difference, as he struck the ball on both occasions.

The second half of play was much of the same, for Galt didn’t seem to capitalize on their chances while we were able to bang home a solid through ball and then benefit from a penalty.

The positive from this game was our ability to find a way to win but most importantly the stellar defensive play of captain Nicolas Bauer and newcomer Juan Parcero. There is no doubt, however, that we will all have to dedicate more of our energy towards sounder defense and better communication in our upcoming game against Bishop’s College School. A win is a win - but we must pay more attention to detail collectively.

Overall Record 6 – 0 – 1 League Record 2 - 0 – 0 GF 36 GA 11
SC 2 Tilton School JV 2 (Scrimmage)
SC 6 Lower Canada College 0 (BCS Tourney)
SC 6 Centennial Academy 2 (BCS Tourney)
SC 7 Bishop’s College School 0 (BCS Tourney)
SC 3 Loyola 2 (BCS Tourney Final – Penalty Kicks)
SC 5 Richmond Regional 2
SC 4 Alexander Galt 1

Scoring Leaders
Massimo Manago Di Buono 12
Ryan Bedard 5
Anthony Fyfe-Miller 4
Anand Kantharoup 4
Gabriel Belanger 3
Ngwa Numfor 3
In Won Lee 2
Ryan Smith 2
Chan Kim 1

"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will.

There's only one way to succeed in anything, and that is to give it everything. I do, and I demand that my players do."

Vince Lombardi

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Wednesday, September 19

Spartans down Richmond 5-2 in league opener

After a successful start to the year in exhibition and tournament play, the team finally began their defence of last year’s title by opening the new season against Richmond Regional High School. The day was perfect for soccer, for the sun was setting and the pitch glowed like the first time one sees the turf at Olympic Stadium.

Although the lineup was thin with only one substitute player available, the team pulled off a 5-2 win on the road. The game was 2-0 at the half but Richmond had much of the play without being able to convert. Fortunately, some half-time adjustments sparked some improved play and allowed us to score three goals in the second half.

On a lesser note, our sporadic complacency and inability to win a ball in the midfield should serve as a reminder that we still have a great deal to work on. Not to mention the fact that we allowed two goals against in the final 10 minutes of the game. However, the strong play of Max Cadrin in nets and sound defensive core at the back was very encouraging overall. Up front, Massimo Manago Di Buono continued to find the back of the other team's net by adding to more goals to his name, while Ryan Smith, Ngwa Numfor and Gabriel Belanger also each added their second goals of the season.

Top three highlights of the trip:

3. In Won’s pass to Ngwa on the third goal

2. Valentine French fries

1. Cadrin singing "Hakuna Matata"

Overall Record 5 – 0 – 1 League Record 1 - 0 – 0
GF 32 GA 10
SC 2 Tilton School JV 2 (Scrimmage)
SC 6 Lower Canada College 0 (BCS Tourney)
SC 6 Centennial Academy 2 (BCS Tourney)
SC 7 Bishop’s College School 0 (BCS Tourney)
SC 3 Loyola 2 (BCS Tourney Final – Penalty Kicks)
SC 5 Richmond Regional 2

Scoring Leaders
Massimo Manago Di Buono 10
Ryan Bedard 5
Anthony Fyfe-Miller 4
Anand Kantharoup 4
In Won Lee 2
Gabriel Belanger 2
Ngwa Numfor 2
Ryan Smith 2
Chan Kim 1

"Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence." - Vince Lombardi

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Saturday, September 15

Juniors capture BCS tournament

On a cold, wet Saturday in mid-September the team traveled to Lennoxville, Quebec to play in the annual Bishop’s College School tournament. Although this year’s squad possesses significant talent, the expectations were minimal knowing the competition we would face. That being said, the team defied logic and surprisingly devoured all opponents in the preliminary round of play.

The final game proved to be a really tightly played contest between two well-matched and undefeated teams. Loyola took a one-goal lead early on but we managed to even things up before the first half ended on a rather lucky bounce. The second half saw Loyola take command of the game and control the ball for much of the half. Loyola went up 2-1 at the midway point but once again we were able to capitalize on our chances and score the equalizer with just a few minutes remaining in the game. Loyola got a few great chances in the overtime period. However, the game ended up going to penalty kicks to settle the score.  

Congratulations, boys! We are so proud of you, for you played your hearts out and left everything out on the field. It’s hard to believe we played four games in a row on a wet and rainy day and managed to come away with the most dramatic win I have ever been a part of as a soccer coach. You guys came together and found a way to beat a really fantastic opponent. You are also only the second Stanstead junior boys team to win this tournament in a very long time. Enjoy this boys! You deserve it! And yes – YOU ARE THE 2007 BCS TOURNEY CHAMPIONS !!!

Overall Record 4 – 0 – 1 League Record 0 - 0 – 0
GF 27 GA 8

SC 2 Tilton School JV 2 (Scrimmage)
SC 6 Lower Canada College 0 (BCS Tourney)
SC 6 Centennial Academy 2 (BCS Tourney)
SC 7 Bishop’s College School 0 (BCS Tourney)
SC 3 Loyola 2 (BCS Tourney Final – Penalty Kicks)  

Scoring Leaders
Massimo Manago Di Buono 8
Ryan Bedard 5
Anthony Fyfe-Miller 4
Anand Kantharoup 4
In Won Lee 2
Gabriel Belanger 1
Ngwa Numfor 1
Chan Kim 1
Ryan Smith 1  

"It is essential to understand that battles are primarily won in the hearts of men." Vince Lombardi

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Wednesday, September 12

2-2 draw in season debut

After five practices the 2007 junior team began its season on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon in Tilton, New Hampshire. Although the road was long getting there due to an unfortunate mechanical set back, the boys remained positive and showed character and understanding.

We were most pleased with our opening play once the game finally began, for the team was poised and able to rival a much older and physically imposing US squad. We took a one-goal lead on a nifty play from Mossimo Manago Di Bouno but allowed Tilton to tie things up immediately afterwards. The game then stayed even for some time before they took advantage of a defensive zone breakdown to go up 2-1. Fortunately, we were able to capitalize on a corner kick in the late stages of the match to come away with a two-two draw. Well done boys!

"He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions." - J. F. Clarke

Overall Record 0 - 0 - 1 / League Record 0 - 0 / GF 2 / GA 2
SC 2 Tilton School JV 2 (Scrimmage)

Scoring Leaders
Mossimo Manago Di Buono 1
Anand Kantharoup 1

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