The Boys U10-3 team, coached by Todd Easton and Gus Rego. ~ Photo courtesy of SYSL

By Jake Wilson

Last weekend saw five Somerville Youth Soccer League teams play in the postseason. The Boys U10-1, U10-3, U12-3 and U14-3 teams competed in the Middlesex Youth Soccer League (MYSL) Commissioner’s Cup, while the Boys U14-1 team played qualifiers for the Massachusetts Tournament of Champions (MTOC).

The Boys U10-1 team (6-2-1 regular season) claimed the Boys U10 Division 1 Commissioner’s Cup, winning their first two matches to clinch the trophy before dropping a meaningless finale on Sunday.

SYSL’s Boys U10-3 team (8-0-1 regular season) went 1-1-1 on the weekend, finishing runners up thanks to a head-to-head win over Everett in their third game on Sunday.

“Hard work all season paid off for a nucleus of kids that has been together for the past two years,” commented Boys U10-3 coach Todd Easton. “For many of them this was their first tournament experience. The competition was fierce. There were no weak teams. It was a great experience for all of them.”

After an 8-0-1 regular season campaign, the Boys U12-3 team won their first game of the Commissioner’s Cup before falling by narrow 1-0 scorelines in the next two to finish third in their division.

Following an unblemished regular season champion that saw them win all nine games while racking up an eye-popping +43 goal difference, the Boys U14-3 team played a high-scoring 3-3 draw before dropping close decisions in their final two matches of the Commissioner’s Cup.

Coach Ken Cole commented, “We finished 0-2-1 and out of the medal standings, but the games were close and intense and the kids gave everything they had. The kids, of course, have a lot of soccer left to play in their lifetimes and this riveting experience will remain a positive one in the future.”

The Boys U14-1 team qualified for the MTOC playoffs thanks to a 7-2-0 regular season that saw them enter as the playoffs as the top seed. They avenged a 4-0 regular season loss to Melrose’s top U14 team with a thrilling penalty shootout victory in the semifinal, setting up a showdown with regular season co-champions Stoneham. Somerville ultimately fell 2-0 in the playoff final.

“It was a bittersweet ending for these boys — some of whom have played in SYSL for many years and are now leaving for high school programs,” said Boys U14-1 coach Tom Lau. “We are immensely proud of their performances not only at the tournament and this season but for representing Somerville for so many years past and future.”

Registration currently is open for the Fall 2018 season at the league’s new website, somervillesoccer.org. The registration fee for Toddler (ages 2-4) is $57, In-Town (Grades Pre-K to 2) is $71 and Travel (Grades 3 to 8) is $93. A $25 late fee applies to registrations after July 1.

Founded in 1990, Somerville Youth Soccer League is a recreational and developmental soccer league for youth ages 2 to 18 in Somerville. SYSL is a volunteer-run, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with an elected board of directors.