Martha’s Vineyard teams find success on busy youth soccer weekend

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Natalija Lakis (left), backed by teammates Rose Engler and Mary McCarthy, leads the Vineyard charge up field against Falmouth. — Photo by Ralph Stewart

With spring vacation drawing to a close, the Island’s nine MV United youth soccer teams were back in action on a busy weekend. The Vineyard teams performed well and finished with four wins, four draws, and only one defeat.

Massachusetts Premier League

The MV United Under-14 boys Mass. Premier League (MAPLE) team defeated AC Arlington, 3-1, Sunday at Lincoln Middle School to pick up its first win of the season. The Vineyard side is playing in Division 2 this spring after gaining promotion from Division 3 last fall. AC Arlington, conversely, was relegated from Division 1 and came into the match unbeaten.

United jumped on top with three goals in the first half and never looked back. Nick Bonneau (2) and Nevin Wallis put the balls in the onion bag for the Vineyard.

South Coast Soccer League

In SCSL play, the U-11 boys Purple team drew 1-1 with Dighton-Rehoboth Saturday at Veterans Park. The Falcons took the lead late in the second half on a deflected shot from a free kick. The Vineyard equalized two minutes later on a set piece of their own as Tim Wallis redirected a free kick from Jack Holmes.

The U-11 Black team downed Wareham 5-2 on Sunday. Nicholas DePaula (2), Noah Garcia, Joshua Sampaio, and Ty Matthew scored the Vineyard goals.

The U-18 men’s team traveled Sunday to North Eastham and returned home with a 3-1 win over Oceana. Vincent Carlomagno, Justin Smith, and Eli Jordi were the Vineyard goalscorers.

The U-13 boys drew with visiting Sandwich, 1-1, and the U-12 boys suffered a 7-1 home loss to Seekonk.

In girls SCSL action Sunday at Veterans Park, visiting Falmouth scored a late equalizer to forge a 1-1 draw with the Vineyard U-15s.

Molly Houghton put the Vineyard in front by converting a first half penalty shot. The Purple and Black had two quality chances in the second half, both from corner kicks, but the Clippers’ keeper was up to the task. Falmouth dominated the final five minutes, firing off six shots on Vineyard goalie Cana Courtney, who had a fine game. The Clippers tied the match with a laser from 15 yards out that ripped through the Vineyard defense and beat screened keeper Courtney low to the right.

Saturday, the U-13 girls drew, 2-2, with Oceana in North Eastham and the U-10 girls, nicknamed the Shockers, chalked up their first win by blanking visiting Mariner of Mattapoisett, 2-0. Leah Hairston scored her first MV United goal to give the hosts a 1-0 first half lead. The Vineyard added an insurance goal in the second after Hairston took a quick throw-in from Hannah Best and had her shot take a timely deflection off a Mariner defender.

Kate Howell had a stellar defensive game at center back. Vineyard keeper Becket Wadleigh made several breakaway stops and a number of strong punts to close out the win.