UNDER 9 SEASON

Fall 2007 Season - The Maniacs started their season in the stifling August heat of Gettysburg, which suffered from a rainshortened program. For the Maniacs, this was their first chance to play as a team and, for most of them, their first experience on the bigger 8 v 8 field. So, it wasn’t too surprising to see a few mistakes (including giving up 3 penalty kicks in 4 games). In fact, we kicked off with an 0-3 record in the opening bracket, but despite the ugly statistic, we looked better in each game, and all three games were one goal margins. Game 4 had the #8 seeded Maniacs playing the #1 seeded Westminster. Our guys showed great character and battled hard, but finally succumbed in the last minute of sudden death overtime (5 v 5, no goalies). Despite the losses, by the end of the day, we were “Invincible” (or at least Mark Wahlberg was, in the movie we watched as a team).

The YMS Columbus Day tournament had similarly close games, but saw us bow out (by way of a 1-1 tie to the host club and eventual winner), despite going undefeated (1 win and 2 ties). The Maniacs progressed steadily in the league after a shaky start, which saw us lose on the road on both of the first two weekends (again, one goal margins). Highlights included a gritty 1-0 win over a classic “bigger-strongerfaster” line-up at Marple, and a beautifully played 3-0 win at T/E. Our Maniacs improved to 4th in the league out of 12, with a 7-3-1 record (GF: 20; GA 7), but failed to advance in the play-offs after falling to Marple, 1-0.

On the whole, we had a good season, and the Maniacs bonded well as a team. Austin Wylie was superb in goal (about half of the playing time) and was helped out by a very solid defense. Although player positions switched throughout the season, the tough tackling back three was predominantly filled with Isaac Goldenberg, Matthew Billbrough, MJ Tricolli, and Alex Cost. We had worker bees in the midfield: Ben Cohen, Henry Scarlato, Austin DePetris, Austin Wylie, Alex Moureaud, and David Bunn; and up top, on the hunt for goals, were Max Valenci and Ori Holtzman. Congratulations to all of the above on a fine first season – you came a long way since Gettysburg! Coaches Andy Bunn, Jim Wylie, and Jim Tricolli were proud of your efforts!