The WFSC U12 boy's blue team stepped outside of South Florida and into the Raleigh / CASL Shootout. The U12's were coupled in the "C" flight with the U12 Reston FC (VA), CASL Premier (NC) and Cobb FC (GA) for round robin competition.

 

The opening game against the U12's from CASL was a fast paced match with WFSC leading 2-0 at half time. Weston added a third tally in the second half which saw CASL hit the post and come close on several other good counter attacks. "The 3 - 0 score doesn't really reflect what a competitive and close game this was, said WFSC Technical Director Dave Simeone. Veneri Valimaa scored all three goals for Weston.

 

The second match was played against the Reston FC out of Northern Virginia with Weston extending their 3-0 lead at half time to a resounding 6-0 win. "It was great that we were able to create a number of good goal scoring chances and to finish the number of chances that we did,” stated U12 coach Jerry Willenborg.
Alec Lowell scored 2 goals along with an assist with Carlos Ochoa assisting on both of Lowell's goals. Tomas Granitto also lit it up with a goal and 2 assists to go with goals by Aaron Bravo, Matt Muralles and Peter Roberts. 

 

The third group game was a hard fought, physical contest against an athletic team from Cobb F.C. Georgia. Veneri Valimaa tallied a first half goal that was the difference in the 1-0 win. "This game was decidedly different. Cobb FC dominated periods of the game with their unbelievable athletic qualities and perseverance. They were a little unlucky. We asked our players to make a few adjustments at half time to try and turn the tide," remarked Simeone, "Our players put forth a great effort and expended themselves to earn the win."

 

The three wins in the round robin put WFSC into the final against the top team from the other bracket, which was LSC Galaxy from Virginia. "One of our objectives for the weekend was improving our performance from game to game --- we thought that the results wound take care of themselves. We just wanted to get better game-by-game. --- Coach Jerry Willenborg.

 

Weston went down a goal in the first half against a motivated and athletic Galaxy team. Veneri Valimaa got Weston back on track with a second half goal. That brought the game into overtime where neither team could capitalize. The championship game was decided in penalties with Weston winning in the shoot out 3-2. "Brian Sylvestre was a huge factor in the win as he saved 2 of the penalties, Coach Willenborg noted.

 

The weekend was a huge success in a number of ways. "This was a bit of a breakout weekend for this bunch, lots of "firsts". Getting outside of S. Florida is critical to long term player development when our goal is to get our players to the next level: College, ODP," Simeone stated. 

The WFSC U12’s added to the trip by visiting the UNC - Chapel Hill Campus, the soccer facilities and the men's and women's coaching staff. "For these kids to get a few minutes with college coaches, hear from them the important challenges in their development, tour the soccer facilities and locker room of a top notch NCAA Division I program, it was eye opening", Simeone added. "We need to incorporate more of these types of opportunities with travel and tournaments. My networking with college coaches over the past 20 years will afford Weston and it's players opportunities similar to this one"

 

Congratulations to the WFSC U12 Boys Blue team!