The Martha's Vineyard Times

Martha's Vineyard Under 15-16 boys win Cape Cod Challenge Cup

By Ralph Stewart
May 30, 2012

Photo courtesy of Matt Poole

The Vineyard Under 15-16 boys travel soccer team posed for a photo after winning the Cape Cod Challenge Cup in Sandwich on Monday. Front row, left to right: Elie Jordi, Noah Kleinhenz, Peter Ruimerman, Matt Stone, Ryan Uva, Lee Faraca, Gordon Moore, Andrew Ruimerman Back row, left to right: coach Matt Poole, Gabe DeOliveira, Yannick Gonsalves, Thaylon Nogueira, Alex GordonBeck, Colin Cameron, Tim Roberts, coach Esteban Aranzabe, Kane Araujo, Ben Poole, Brandon Dwane, Ben Wadleigh, Sam Entner

The Vineyard Under 15-16 boys captured the Cape Cod Challenge Cup on Memorial Day in Sandwich. The event is sponsored by the Sandwich Soccer Club. M.V. beat top-seeded America FC United of Quincy, 1-0, in the final to claim the Cup.

AFCU is a U-16 team that was just promoted to Division 2 in the Massachusetts Premier League.

The game was hard fought with strong physical play from both teams. Sam Entner scored the game-winner five minutes into the second half. Matt Stone added two key saves to seal the win.

The U15-16 team is coached by Esteban Aranzabe and Matt Poole

M.V. played five matches over the holiday weekend and finished the tournament with four wins and a tie, while scoring 10 goals and conceding only two.

On Saturday, the Vineyard tied the Sandwich Hurricanes, 1-1, and defeated Coventry Soccer (R.I.), 3-0. Sunday, they defeated RAMS Football Club (R.I.), 3-1.

Based on the preliminary round, the team qualified for the playoffs on Memorial Day as the second seed. M.V. defeated the third-seeded Smithfield Strikers (R.I.), 2-0, in the semi-final.

The MV United U-15 boys play their final regular season game on Sunday at Veterans Memorial Park at 1:15 pm. The following weekend they will host Fall River in the first playoff round, at a time to be determined.