SAC United Premier Boys U-18 Capture Fourth State Crown

After losing in the Championship game last year in PKs to the Baltimore Bays, SAC United Premier 90-91 reclaimed the Maryland State Cup Championship on Saturday, May 30 with a 3-0 victory over the Freestate Blazers in the U18
Boys division.

The United got on the scoreboard in the first half on a cross from Phil Martinelli to Jake Pace. After beating his defender on the endline, Martinelli sent a beautiful ball to the far post which Pace put away on a skillfully placed, decisive header. The duration of the first half featured goalkeeper Paul Killian patrolling the backline with an organized, well-managed game plan that kept the Blazers at bay. Working in sync with Killian, defenders Jason McCarron, Roston Moore, Garrett Nickles, and Tommy Schaeffler were very effective in shutting down the Blazers' high-powered attack. Midfielders Daniel Benitez, Edwin Granados and Luis Mendoza initiated several quality chances on the outside, sending well-timed through balls to the attack. The score would stand at the half 1-0.

The United kept pressuring the Blazers' defense in the second half, making penetrating runs and generating many offensive chances. Midfielder Matt Seinfeld scored the second goal on a set piece from Garrett Nickles. Seinfeld ran onto a ball played smartly over the Blazers last line of defense, finishing the ball perfectly to the lower left corner. Nickles would almost score later in the half on a free kick rocketed off the crossbar from more than 40 yards out. After the second goal the United maintained their intensity in the midfield as Seinfeld, Martinelli, Pace, Ricky Cantore, and Mike Doyle won the majority of possession and initiated the attack. The United's final goal of the game began on a run in which striker Wils Alpern side-stepped his defender and went one on one with the Blazers goalkeeper. After beating the goalkeeper with a deft move, Alpern was about to finish the ball into the empty net when he was taken down from behind by the goalkeeper in an effort to prevent the goal. A penalty kick was awarded and team captain Jason McCarron stepped up and iced the game by finishing the ball high and left with authority.

The victory sends the United to the Region 1 Championship, which will take place in West Virginia from July 2-7. The United, coached by Rick Cantore and Tommy Farran, finishes a Maryland State Cup run as four time State Champions, two time State Finalists, and one time State Semi-finalist over the course of their history since Cup play began at U12. Howard County players on the United's roster include: Daniel Benitez (Centennial), Ricky Cantore (River Hill), Mike Doyle (River Hill), Ryan Ferrera (Glenelg), Vince Garofalo (Mount St. Joe), Paul Killian (Marriotts Ridge), Phil Martinelli (Marriotts Ridge), Roston Moore (River Hill), Jimmy Mundy (Centennial), Garrett Nickles (Mt. Hebron), Jake Pace (River Hill), and Matt Seinfeld (Wilde Lake.)

2nd Round

Saturday, May 16

SAC United Premier 90-91             5

St. Mary's United Powershots        1

Semifinal

Sunday, May 17

SAC United Premier 90-91          3

Severna Park Crew                     2

Final

Saturday, May 30

SAC United Premier 90-91        3

Freestate Blazers                      0

Ricky Cantore               University of North Carolina - Wilmington

http://www.uncwsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=92870&SPID=11320&DB_OEM_ID=19800&ATCLID=3680043

Paul Killian                      West Virginia University

http://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm?sport=msoccer&show=14383

Phil Martinelli                  Towson University

http://www.towsontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=101441&SPID=12493&DB_OEM_ID=21300&ATCLID=3744443

Roston Moore                 Long Island University

http://www.liuathletics.com/news/2009/5/14/MSOC_0514091231.aspx

Jimmy Mundy                Salisbury University

Garrett Nickles               Duquesne University

Jake Pace                       University of Maryland

http://www.umterps.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/031009aab.html

Matt Seinfeld                  Virginia Military Institute

http://www.vmikeydets.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=100815&SPID=12381&DB_OEM_ID=9800&ATCLID=3667506

The United will participate in the following tournaments in 2008:

Bethesda Thanksgiving Tournament     November 22-23, 2008

http://www.gotsport.com/events/schedule.aspx?EventID=4023&Sex=Boys&Age=19

Baltimore College Showcase                 November 28-30, 2008

http://www.gotsport.com/events/schedule.aspx?EventID=2087&Sex=Boys&Age=19

Disney Soccer Showcase                      December 27-30, 2008

http://www.gotsport.com/events/schedule.aspx?eventid=3583&FieldID=0&applicationID=272586&action=Go

SAC United Premier 90-91 won the Columbia Invitational final 1-0 in a tough, physical game against the East Meadow Falcons. Although the United has entered many of the same tournaments as the Falcons over the years, the two teams had not crossed paths since the Columbia Invitational final in 2001 at U10 (East Meadow won 2-1.) The Falcons, a top-ranked team from New York, will play in the Eastern New York State Cup final this weekend (Good Luck to the Falcons!)

The game was very physical in the first half, with each team challenging every ball at top speed. Both teams had several chances on goal. The United caught a break early on when the Falcons sent an incredible, blistering shot off the crossbar and United goalkeeper Paul Killian then made some excellent decisions to come out and cut off other Falcon opportunities. The Falcons keeper also made several nice plays to break up several United chances in the first half. The half ended 0-0.

The second half was very close and tense, with numerous yellow cards continuing to be issued. With six minutes left in regulation, a Falcons player was given his second yellow card of the match, resulting in the send off. The Falcons hung tough to preserve the 0-0 tie in regulation, despite high pressure from the United.

The tournament rules stipulated no overtime, so the match went straight to penalty kicks. United goalkeeper C.J. Johnson made a clutch save on the first Falcon shot and the United's shooters did the rest to seal the victory. Matt Seinfeld, Vince Garofalo, Garrett Nickles, Jimmy Mundy, and Wils Alpern stepped up and buried each shot with confidence.

The victory was a total team effort with every player contributing to the outcome. Next up for the United is the Maryland State Cup final versus the Baltimore Bays on Saturday, May 31 at 11:15 AM at Soccerplex. Good luck United!

Congratulations to the seniors on SAC United Premier 90-91 for making the following commitments as student-athletes beginning in the Fall of 2008:

Wils Alpern        University of Pittsburgh

Graham Franke      Gettysburg College  (lacrosse)

Vincent Garofalo      College of the Holy Cross

Jason McCarron         University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC)

http://www.umbcretrievers.com/sports/msoccer/release.asp?RELEASE_ID=3853

Tommy Schaeffler          University of Maryland

http://umterps.cstv.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/021808aai.html

SAC United Premier 90-91 won their first match in Maryland State Cup 2008 on Sunday, April 13th over the Seneca United, 6-2 . Goals were scored by Ricky Cantore, Matt Seinfeld, Jake Pace (2), and Edwin Granados (2).

SAC United Premier 90-91 won their second match of State Cup 2008 with a solid 4-0 result against ASA United. Goals were scored by Tommy Schaeffler, Max Rutherford, Jake Pace, and Jason McCarron. Excellent play in the midfield and defense kept the ball in the United's offensive third of the field for much of the match. Goalkeepers Paul Killian and CJ Johnson both came up big when they needed to. Hats off to the ASA United's incredible goalkeeper, who turned in an outstanding performance!

SAC United Premier 90-91 won their semifinal match against the Baltimore Bays United on Saturday, April 26th  3-2.  The United were down 1-0 quickly but would score three goals to hold the lead 3-1 late in the second half. A strike by the Bays United closed the gap 3-2, but the United locked it down defensively to maintain the win. Goals were scored by Wils Alpern, Tommy Schaeffler, and Jake Pace. The United will play the Baltimore Bays on Saturday, May 31 for the Maryland State Cup U17 title.

 Follow all the scores in the U17 Boys age group by clicking on the link above.

SAC United Premier 90-91 are competing in the Region 1 Premier League again this spring. The United has faced great competition. Follow all game results on the link above.

SAC United Premier 90-91  0

FC DELCO Hammerheads  1 (PK)

SAC United Premier 90-91   2

Spirit United   0

SAC United Premier 90-91   2

Princeton Union Elite    1

SAC United Premier 90-91   0

PDA Cruyff       0

SAC United Premier 90-91     0

Baltimore Bays 90-91             0

SAC United Premier 90-91    0

Penns Forest        0

SAC United Premier 90-91    0

VE Blast           1 

Triangle FC Friendlies

Fayetteville, NC

February 2-3, 2008

Jefferson Cup

Richmond, VA

March 22-23, 2008

March Madness

Ellicott City, Maryland

March 29-30, 2008

Maryland State Cup

April - June, 2008

Columbia Invitational

Ellicott City, MD

May 24-26, 2008

SAC United Premier placed seven players on the Maryland Soccer Coaches All State teams. Wils Alpern, CJ Johnson and Jake Pace were selected to the first team. Vince Garafalo and Garrett Nickles were chosen on the second team. Phil Martinelli and Jason McCarron were named honorable mention. These players will be honored at the All State awards banquet at the end of January.