New England Aztec – a History: 2000 to 2003
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New England Aztec – A History: 2000 to 2003 Chris Ethier Earns Spot on Boys U16 Regional Pool Accomplishment Highlights Aztec Success in Olympic Development Program BEVERLY, MASS. -- August 1, 2003 --Chris Ethier has just added another highlight to an already long list of soccer accomplishments. The Beverly High School, Aztec Soccer Club, and Massachusetts State Team standout was chosen to be part of the Region One* Player Pool. "I’m looking forward to the chance to play with some of the best talent, under some of the best coaches in the country," Ethier said. Ethier who was the starting Center Midfielder for the Massachusetts State Team the last two seasons will attend a week-long Region One training camp in Binghamton, NY that will be run by the best college coaches in the area. Ethier captained the U-16 Aztec squad to a Division II champion crown with 7 goals and 10 assists last spring. He also led Beverly High School in assists (16) last fall where he started every match as a freshman helping the team to the Massachusetts North Finals. Ethier was Awarded Best Offensive Player and was the first freshmen ever selected to the Northeastern Conference All-Star Team. "Chris has worked long and hard throughout each season," said Mike Kersker, Founder and Director of Coaching for Aztec Soccer under which Ethier has flourished in the last three seasons. "Making the Regional Pool is proof positive of his dedication and determination. I know he’ll share this success with the other members of the Massachusetts State Team, including three players from next year's Aztec U17 squad." Aztec Soccer Club players on the Olympic Development Program's Massachusetts State Team include: 1. Kayla Danehy (17 Girls) 2. Ashley Diver (14 Girls) 3. Chris Ethier (16 Boys) 4. Bianca Gallo (13 Girls) 5. Sara Hourihan (16 Girls) 6. Jared Joaquin (15 Boys) 7. Casey King (13 Girls) 8. Jack Lindsay (16 Boys) 9. Christian Slack (16 Boys) 10. Greg Spurr (16 Boys) 11. Scotty St. Cyr. (13 Boys) 12. Katie Weinstein (15 Girls) 2003 Youth Wrap Up Starting in the fall of 2000 the core of the U16 boys began in the Aztec Advanced Training program, formerly known as Kersker Instructional Developmental Soccer. 1 1/2 years later in the spring of 2002 they became the third team in existence to represent the black and red of Aztec Soccer. The Aztec 15 Boys started on the ground floor in MAPLE-D, and were led by Head Coach Mike Kersker and Assistant Coach Kenny Finn. Going 6-0-1 the team was promoted to Division 2 in the U-16 age group of MAPLE. During the Spring of 2003 Head Coach Justin Dechene and Assistant Coach Matt Landman led the team to another undefeated season in MAPLE, this time in Division 2. The team’s success resulted in the Aztec 16 Boys becoming Division 2 Champions and automatically being promoted to Division 1 MAPLE for the 17 Boys age group. The Aztec 16 Girls began their road in the Spring of 2003 in MAPLE-D. The 16 Girls were led by Head Coach Mike Kersker. During their very successful campaign, the 16 Girls went undefeated in MAPLE-D, and subsequently were automatically promoted to Division 2 for the following year in the 17 Girls Division. After being seeded last in the Snickers State Cup competition, they proceeded to win three consecutive challenge matches, including defeating two MAPLE teams from Division 2 and ultimately becoming the first team in the history of Aztec Soccer to qualify for the State Cup Round Robin. They continued their amazing run in the State Cup competition by defeating a MAPLE Division 1 opponent 3-1 in their first match. Unable to get a result in the final two State Cup matches the Aztec 16 Girls finished the year having gone through a tremendous undefeated run that spanned two months and 12 straight matches against Division 1, Division 2, and MAPLE-D teams along with being the Champions at the Dartmouth Cup. A new Aztec 15 Boys team was formed in the winter of 2002-2003. There was a core of players on the team that were original players in the Kersker Instructional Developmental Soccer Program, which is now called the Aztec Advanced Training Program. The team began their Spring 2003 Campaign in MAPLE-D led by Head Coach Doug Prouty, who emphasized defensive organization and a possession style of play. The team had a very successful spring ultimately finishing in 1st place in the U-15 Division of MAPLE-D with 6 Wins and 1 Loss, and automatically being promoted to Division 2 for the following year in MAPLE. The team also won the Dartmouth (NH) Cup Memorial Weekend Tourney. The Aztec 14 Girls also had a group of players that began their Aztec careers in the Kersker Instructional Developmental Soccer Program in the Fall of 2000. Bringing this strong background in soccer technique along with new additions to the team, Head Coach Mike Kersker led his team to great heights, assisted by Jeff Roy. Beginning in MAPLE-D during the fall season the Aztec 13 Girls were in a very strong grouping, and had exciting matches week in and week out. The Fall 2002 season went down to the final game v. The South Coast Scorpions, where Aztec needed a win to secure one of the top 6 slots in MAPLE-D and advance automatically to the Spring MAPLE-D grouping. The game was tied with 2 minutes remaining, both team playing in almost complete darkness, Ashley Diver penetrated into the attacking third on the dribble and was fouled setting up a PK for Casey King. With the season on the line Casey buried the PK and the Aztec 13 Girls advanced to the Spring grouping by finishing in second place in their division. During the Spring MAPLE-D season, Mike Kersker developed the team to the point that they became the 1st place team in U-13 Girls MAPLE-D winning the division and automatically advancing to Division 2 in the Fall of 2003. The Aztec 13 Boys began their journey in the Fall of 2002 under the direction of Head Coach & Head of Player Development for Aztec Soccer Kenny Finn. The Aztec 13 Boys had a core of players that originated from the Kersker Instructional Developmental Soccer Program that began in the fall of 2000. The Aztec 13 Boys, a new MAPLE team, just as the majority of their counterparts were in the Aztec Program, needed to begin their existence in MAPLE-D. There were 3 divisions in MAPLE-D with approximately 25 teams all together vying for 6 automatic bids to the Spring 2003 MAPLE-D Division. The Aztec 13 Boys started the season in a 3-5-2 system of play, but eventually changed to a more traditional 4-4-2 to increase the number of defenders in the back. The Aztec 13 Boys had a very successful fall season with 5 Wins - 1 Loss - 1 Tie, and in their final match of the season v. FC PUMA needing 3 points. They achieved the result they were looking for with a 2-0 victory, with the shutout going to GK Mike Gorman. The Aztec 13 Boys finished 2nd in their division and insured a spot in the top six for the Spring 2003 MAPLE season. Wesley Snipes was a key acquisition midway through the fall season, as he provided technical/tactical prowess and leadership in the midfield. The Aztec 13 Boys also had an exciting run in the Snickers State Cup Challenge Round. Starting in the first round against Nashoba United, the Aztec 13 Boys were immediately challenged. Down 1-0 early in the match, front runner Scotty St. Cyr equalized the game for the Aztec 13's 1-1. Then with darkness ensuing, Drew Masterson was fouled in the box when penetrating on the dribble drawing a PK, Dominc Ashley stepped to the spot and in extra time scored the "golden goal" to win the match 2-1. In round two the Aztec 13 Boys faced an organized Division 2 team Tri-Valley United, the Aztec 13 Boys showed very well going up 1-0, & keeping the game at 1-1 until 5 seconds left in regulation when TVU scored the game winner on an upper 90 strike. Head Coach Kenny Finn was joined in the Spring of 2003 by Assistant Coach Emelio Vernon who was an All-New-England Player for the Salem State College Men's team in the Fall of 2002. The Aztec 13 Boys needed to finish in the top 5 in MAPLE-D to be promoted to Division 2. Starting the season the team used a 4-5-1 system-of-play, but after two losses to Greater Boston & South Shore Select and not being able to score, the coaching staff realigned the team opting to use a 3 front & go with a 4-3-3 creating numbers in attack. The Aztec 13 Boys became a dangerous team and went undefeated the rest of the way with 3 wins and 2 ties. They secured a spot in the top 5 in their last match with a 2-0 win over an out-of-state team Mid-State United, but it was a few days earlier with the heroics of Nick Lococoa when he equalized the game at 1-1 v. SAC to give the team an opportunity to be promoted. The Aztec 13 Boys were promoted to Division 2 after a great effort from top to bottom by the 18 players on the team.