Club News Archives 2005
10/22/05 Over the past couple of years I have taken great pleasure reading about the exploits of former and current FC Puma players participating in High School sports. Our first team ever, a girls U10 team in the spring of 1998 is now part of the senior class in High School. Once a Puma, always a Puma in my mind whether they played a single season or several years.
A week ago however the news turned bad, very bad, a parent's worstnightmare. Shauna and Meghan Murphy were killed in a car accident in the early hours of October 13th. Michelle and Chris Murphy lost not one child but two. The tragic news has rippled not just through ARHS but also through the communities of Southborough and Northborough and into the soccer community as well, including FC Puma.
Meghan was one of ours, a former FC Puma player that first joined us as a smiling 9 yr old, playing for our U10 team back in 1999. I never thoughtthat one of ours would be struck down so early in life, at 15 years old, a sophomore in High School playing on the JV team.
Meghan's sister Shauna, a senior at ARHS played for the varsity soccer team last year. This fall she became the team manager for the boy's varsity team that has many members of our former BU13 team that won the State Cup under Dave Teggart.
A scholarship fund has been established in the girls' memory, the Algonquin Regional High School Murphy Scholarship Fund. This coming Sunday, students of ARHS that have played soccer with Shauna and Meghan and with FC Puma will be on the sidelines of ALL of our games at half time. They will be passing an envelope for contributions to this fund. FC Puma will in addition, make a donation as well. People wishing to contribute via check may make the check out to "ARHS Murphy Scholarship Fund.
Sincerely,
Paul Whittier, Jr.
Treasurer and Registrar FC PumaConrtibutions can be sent to:
Paul Whittier
40 Wesson Terrace
Northboro, MA 01532
8/23/05 Congratulations to the GU15 team for making it to the finals of the TWIST Invitational Tournament in Wallingford Ct. The girls played some tremendous soccer throughout the weekend and were undefeated going into the semi final game against the Crusaders. In what proved to be the best game of the tournament the two teams played to a 1-1 tie through regulation and two golden goal overtime periods. The PUMA girls went on to win the game on PK's with the help of Kate Christensen, PUMA's goalie, who made 2 saves. Unfortunately the girls came up short in the final game loosing 3-0 to NOVA. Overall it was a great soccer weekend and a good start to the 05-06 year.
6/28/05 FC PUMA is pleased to announce the development of a new game and practice field located in Berlin. The field was created as part of a joint project between the Berlin Recreation Department and FC PUMA involved re-grading, leveling, and seeding a farm field to turn it into a 75 x 115 soccer field. The field is expected to come on line for the Fall 06 season.
Congratulations to the BU11, BU12 and GU12 teams for making it to the semi finals in this years Andre Cup Tournament and U12 Maple Tournament. While it was disappointing to come so close and not make it to the finals, all three teams should be very proud of themselves. Next season the BU11 team will be moving up to U12 and playing in the top BLUE division, while the BU12 and GU12 teams will advance to U13 DIVISION-1 play. Great job to all three teams!
Congratulations to the BU14 team coached by Christian Battaglia for making it to the State Cup Round Robin Tournament at UMass Amherst. The boys playing with few subs were able to hold on to defeat the Blackhawks 1-0 in their final Challenge Round game and earn a spot as one of the final 8 teams playing for this years State Cup. Good Luck Boys!
Congratulations to the GU13 team coached by John Gavin for making it to the State Cup Round Robin Tournament at UMass Amherst. In their final challenge round game the girls defeated a tough Blackhawks team 1-0 in a well played very defensive game. The girls will play as part of the final 8 on June 4th and 5th with the top four teams advancing on the semi finals and finals on June 18 and 19. Good Luck at UMass girls!
FC PUMA Teams make it to PWSI FINAL.
While overall we had a good showing from all 10 of our teams that went to Virginia, we also had three teams that made it to the final championship game on Sunday.
The U11 girls, coached by Lisa Pflaumbaum, played to a 1-1 tie through 30 minutes of regulation play and two 5 minute overtimes, only to loose a heartbreaker on penalty kicks. The U12 boys, coached by Dave Teggart, played to a 0-0 tie through regulation and two overtimes in what has to be described as one of the best games of the tournament. Unfortunately however, the boys came up just short of the tournament championship loosing on penalty kicks. The U13 girls, coached by John Gavin, also made it to the finals where they lost in a tough game that was shortened due to lightning.
Great Job Everyone!
At one time or another I am sure everyone involved with FC PUMA has crossed paths with club President Paul Whittier. Paul was one of the original founders of FC PUMA in 1998 and has served as President, Registrar, and Treasurer, amongst other duties, for the last 6 years. For most of you, your involvement with FC PUMA boils down to a practice or two a week and a game on Sunday. What most people don’t realize is that there is a tremendous amount of work that goes on year round, off the field, so that the FC PUMA teams can play on Sunday. Without the work that Paul has been doing behind the senses to manage, organize, and run the club, FC PUMA would not have developed into one of the premier Central Mass clubs it is today. When you see Paul around town or on the sideline please take the time to say THANK YOU for all the hard work and effort he has put into the FC PUMA soccer club.
At the most recent FC PUMA Board of Directors meeting Paul announced that we will be stepping down as the President of FC PUMA. Paul will be staying on as Registrar and Treasurer and will continue to be involved with the club and a member of the Board of Directors. Effective January 1st Bob Kody became the clubs President and Maple contact. Bob has three children who play for the club and has been on the FC PUMA Board of Directors for the last two and a half years serving in a variety of functions . Paul, thanks for a job well done, and Congratulations Bob, on being elected the new club President.
Congratulations to Christian Battaglia for recently being named the Head Men’s Coach at Worcester State College. Christian currently coaches the BU11, BU14 and GU17 FC PUMA teams. Christian is also FC PUMA’s Director of Player and Coach Development and has been instrumental in developing the FC PUMA TRAINING ACCADEMY and the FC PUMA SUMMER CAMPS. Christian also recently received his National B License and continues to work with all the teams, players and coaches through out the FC PUMA club. When you next see Christian , stop by and tell him what a great job he is doing, and congratulate him on his new position at Worcester State College.
Congratulations to Mike Ciccolella FC PUMA Boys U13 coach for being named MYSA Boys Coach of the Year. Mike has been coaching youth soccer for 12 years and began working with the FC PUMA boys U13 team last fall. Mike holds his D license and is very much committed to making the experience for his boys the best he can, while focusing on player/team development and sportsmanship. Andrea Burns from Shrewsbury youth soccer who nominated Mike is quoted as saying, ”Mike is without question one of the best coaches that I have worked with and does such a wonderful job at developing the boys as athletes and young adults” Great Job Mike!
Congratulations to FC PUMA GU16 and GU17 players, Sam Bartman, Nikki Scott, Tyler Rainer, Kaitlyn Friday, Hawley Rae, Tayna Braga, and Brianna Stidsen who were all named to the Central Mass Coaches Association All Star Team. Picture below is of Nikki, Sam and Tyler, taken at the January 2nd All Star Banquet at the Crowne Plaze in Worcester. Great job Ladies!
