Ten minutes into the 6th grade CYO soccer championship game between Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Aidan’s, Luke Sommese, having started at center-back, asked his coach if he could move to the striker position.
The talented St. Aidan player explained that he “felt as if he was going to have a big game at striker” if he were moved to that position. Minutes after re-entering the game at his desired position, Sommese jumped on a loose ball in front of the Lourdes net and drove home the first goal of the game.
The determined Lourdes team traded offensive opportunities with St. Aidan for much of the first half and the score remained 1-0 at the midway point.
St. Aidan’s commitment to giving it their all for their first title was rewarded shortly after the second half began.
Co-captain Dylan Haase chased a ball into the corner where he skillfully eluded two Lourdes defenders before driving a terrific cross in front of the Lourdes goal. Sommese timed it perfectly and dove into the cross with a beautiful, hard header to redirect the ball into the back of the net.
Immediately after the restart, Sommese was at it again, pressuring the Lourdes defense and in a fantastic individual effort, tapped a ball free from the diving Lourdes keeper near the edge of the penalty area. Sommese then deftly eluded the keeper and an on- rushing defender before cutting in front of the goal and tapping home his third straight score.
Sommese’s striker teammates Massimo Fuduli and Ryan Burke would soon combine for another goal, with Burke slamming home a rebound in front of the opposing keeper. Haase would finish the scoring late in the half, sliding home a shot from just inside the penalty box, completing the scoring at 5-0.
Throughout the game, St. Aidan’s played terrific defense, especially in the middle of the field. Center-back William Winski starred for St. Aidan, controlling the flow of the game and constantly turning aside the impressive attack from Lourdes.
Winski’s defensive mates Luke Sherry, Kieran Gilbert, Kevin Morrison and Eddie Gustafson had strong games for St. Aidan in front of keeper John Flemm.
Center-midfielder and co-captain Liam Russelman, along with Colin Fisch and Aidan Scott contributed to a solid possession attack, especially in the second half.
The championship victory completed a special season for St. Aidan’s that saw them finish with an undefeated 12-0 record.
