Two Vineyard boys travel soccer teams qualify for state tourney

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Yannick Gonsalves' momentum takes him by the Norton goalkeeper, who makes a leaping save in Saturday's U14 playoff game. Gordon Moore (right) waits for a rebound. — Photo by Ralph Stewart

Four Vineyard boys travel teams began the South Coast Soccer League playoffs with a chance to qualify for the Massachusetts Tournament of Champions, June 24-26 in Lancaster. Two teams got the job done.

The MV United under18 squad had the toughest road, playing all three games away from home, but qualify they did–for the third time in four years.

The Islanders followed up a last-minute victory in Nantucket on June 14, with two wins last weekend.

First, MVU travelled to North Eastham on Saturday and downed Oceana 4-0. Linycker De Sousa scored a hat trick and John Marcal added one more.

Sunday in Sandwich, United booked a spot in the MTOC with a 2-1 win over New Bedford. Filipe Freitas potted both goals for the Vineyard, who stand at 7-2-2.

Joining the U18s in the state tourney are the MV United U16s, who rallied from a 2-0 deficit to beat Nantucket 3-2 at Veterans Park on Sunday and keep their record perfect at 10-0-0.

All five goals were scored in the first half. Martin Aranzabe cut the Nantucket lead to 2-1. The game was tied on an own-goal, when a Nantucket defender cleared a Vineyard shot into his own net. Jack Roberts scored the game-winner and MV held on throughout a tense, scoreless second half.

Congratulations go out to both teams, along with U18 coaches Curt Cetrulo and Andrew Worlock and U16 coaches Phil Dwane and Trip Wadleigh.

As costs to attend the MTOC average between $3,000 to $4,000 per team, anyone interested in making a donation may visit www.mvsoccer.org

Vineyard-Dartmouth U14 final marred by poor conduct

The South Coast Soccer League Under14 final between unbeaten MV United and Dartmouth, played Sunday afternoon at Veterans Park, should have been remembered as the exciting match that it was. Unfortunately, the action was overshadowed by an abundance of poor sportsmanship. The visitors were particularly egregious in their transgressions.

Both Dartmouth head coach Rick Martinez and assistant coach Joe Medeiros were given red cards by assistant referee Chris Decker for unsporting behavior, which included gay slurs directed at the Vineyard bench, noted by Mr. Decker in his post-game report to the league. The infractions carry an automatic ejection and a one game suspension. Further disciplinary action may be taken by the SCSL.

Vineyard head coach Esteban Aranzabe received a cautionary yellow card following the match, which was won by Dartmouth, 2-1, in extra time.

After the final whistle, Coach Martinez refused to shake hands with Coach Aranzabe. Additionally, a Dartmouth player walked across the pitch and made an obscene gesture to the Vineyard fans.

Vineyard youth soccer officials have filed an official protest with the SCSL over Dartmouth’s behavior. Several Vineyard parents have also written letters to the league expressing their disapproval.

Pending a ruling by the SCSL to the contrary, Dartmouth is set to represent the league in next weekend’s Massachusetts Tournament of Champions in Lancaster.

As for the match, Brandon Dwane scored the equalizer with two minutes left in regulation after Dartmouth had taken the lead fifteen minutes into the second half.

Two ten-minute periods of extra time followed. Dartmouth scored the game winner with seven minutes to play off of a goal mouth scramble and held off intense Vineyard pressure the rest of the way.

MV finished the season at 9-1, another strong campaign for Coach Aranzabe and assistant coach Matt Poole.

U12s eliminated, lose first game

The MV United under12 team tasted defeat for the first time all season, falling to Dartmouth 4-1, Saturday in Sandwich.

Ennis Foster scored for MVU, assisted by Nevin Wallis.

MVU had defeated Dartmouth, 5-2, on Vineyard soil, April 30, in a match that was much closer than the final score indicated.

Disappointing as the final result was for the Vineyard, the team, along with coaches David Wallis and Richard Andre, can take pride in having won the SCSL regular season championship with a 9-0 record.