Photo Galleries from the 2008 USL Super Y-League North American Finals in Tampa Florida. 

• USL Super Y-League North American Finals Galleries 

MPS U17 Lady Crusaders Capture National Championship - By Joe Coggins

Eighteen of the top soccer players on the South Shore, Cape Cod and Rhode Island, spent the last four years in intense technical and tactical instruction, playing matches against the foremost competition available in America and Canada, with the single goal to win the prestigious United Soccer League Super Y National Championship. That’s exactly what the MPS U17 Lady Crusaders accomplished this past weekend in Tampa FL. The USL Super Y League was formed over a decade ago consisting of ten regions across the United States and Canada. Each region plays twelve matches during the regular season sending the team with the best record to compete for the National Championship each November.

On the heels of a grueling high school season and playoff schedule, the Lady Crusaders entered the tournament hoping to recapture the team chemistry that served them well in the regular season. If Coach Gallagher was concerned, these concerns were quickly dismissed as the team dominated their first opponent, an undefeated Northern Virginia Majestic team, beating them 4 -1. The offense, led by Devin Petta, (Whitman Hanson), and Andrea Nogueira, (New Bedford), scored early and often. Midfielders Sarah Coggins, (Cohasset) and Monique Lamotte controlled the center of the field keeping play in the attacking zone. The defense, anchored by center backs, Lyndsay Pallotta, (Hanover), and Maggie McGoldrick, (Cohasset) and fullback Kristin Tholen, (Pembroke), frustrated the opposing strikers holding them to a lone tally.

The Lady Crusaders second opponent, the Plantation Eagles, the winner of the Southeast division from the host state of Florida, were stunned by the offensive onslaught charging from the wings. Wide mids Maggie MacDonald, (Whitman Hanson), and Ally Coppenrath, (Marshfield), attacked the Eagle defense with timely runs to corner and brilliant crosses to goal. Pressure kept coming at a rapid pace from the outside mid position as Chrissy Fancy, (Orleans) and Jenna Goodwin, (Weymouth), worked both ends of the field in transition. Final score; 3-1.

If the first two games were offensive wins, the third game against Rage FC from PA belonged to the defense. Claire Thompson, (Greenwich RI) full back out due to an ACL injury, watched full backs Jackie Squatrito, (Pembroke), and Julie Foster, (Dennisport), raise their game to new levels, denying the Rage any opportunity, while defensive midfielder Chris DiBiase, (Westford), aggressively challenged every offensive assault. Keeper Casey Edward’s, (Marshfield), instincts were flawless and her efforts earned her a 2- 0 shutout and the team a #1 seed into the final four.

The sidelines were packed with College Coaches to watch the now highly touted MPS Lady Crusaders take on the lightening quick, highly skilled Odyssey, winner of the Northern California Region. Fans of both teams mingled cautiously with whispers and warnings not to take either team lightly. The opening whistle initiated an unparalleled effort by the Lady Crusaders. Offensively, two quick strikes by Devin Petta off passes from Andrea Nogueira and Sarah Coggins and a third goal by Mo Lamotte, gave the Lady Crusaders a comfortable halftime lead. In the second half, the defense stood strong thwarting all attempts to score, resulting in Casey Edward’s second shutout of the tournament.

The championship game would be a match with a much larger, more familiar opponent, the Fury from Ottawa. In the National Final, two rivals from the New England Region, who split their two games during the regular season, faced each other to determine the #1 USL Super Y U17 team in the Nation. Both familiar with each other’s strengths and abilities, this game would prove to be a test of wills, guts and determination. Under threatening Florida skies, the lady Crusaders jumped to a swift start with an early goal from Devin Petta. Quick to respond, the Fury dug in their heels and used their superior size to impose their will upon the smaller Crusaders. The Lady Crusaders refused to yield any ground as the contest turned aggressive and physical. Holding steady against the onslaught, MPS faced a further unexpected challenge. In swept a Florida squall accompanied by wind gusts blowing directly down field at the backs of the attacking Fury. Play shifted to the Crusader goal box and Ottawa, with its outsized front line, played the ball to the air and tied the game on a header to top corner. As quickly as the rains came, they left, with the game knotted at one apiece. With moments left in the first half, Lyndsay Pallotta, in an all out effort to clear a dangerous ball, went down with a game ending leg injury. As the crowd stood silently, Maggie McGoldrick stepped into the sweeper position and took up right where Pallotta left off.

The second half resumed with even more ferocity and determination. Play see sawed back and forth. Both teams neither surrendered ground nor could mount a serious shot on goal. With fifteen minutes left in regulation, Mo Lamotte, cycled though the midfield to the top of the eighteen and unleashed a rocket that caromed off the crossbar into the back of the net. Up 2 -1, Coach Gallagher immediately switched formation to a more defensive posture allowing the Lady Crusaders to crowd the center of the field and repel all Fury attacks. With time ticking away, injured goalie Megan Penn, (South Dennis) directed the action from the bench with outstretched crutches as her reinvigorated teammates dominated the remaining minutes of play. At the final whistle, the MPS U17 players, coaches and fans hugged, hopped and hobbled their way to the Champion’s Platform, as USL Super Y League U17 North American Champions.