By Scott Bessette, Head Coach Scorpions 2009 ECNL RL

I am truly happy to report that the Scorpions 2009 Regional Team, won the 2024/25 Conference Cup this weekend in Islip, New York at the SUSA Complex.  The tournament placed teams in 3 different brackets with the winner from each and the best 2nd place team advancing to the semifinals and finals .  Our first game we were paired up against FC Stars White in Lancaster, MA on December 15th.  A difficult start to the game saw our team down 3-0 at half time, but we fought back to make it 3-2 late with a chance for a draw.  Ultimately, we lost 3-2, that day we learned a lot about the group, our goals for the season and what it would take to advance.   In our next group stage game we faced World Class FC at home, knowing we had to win and win big if we stood a chance to advance.  The girls came into the game with the right mentality, and took the game to our opponents.   Ella McDonald recorded 4 goals, Laila Rosen added a 5th to finish 5-0.  The team had their best game to date, including a shut out by goalkeepers Ciara O’Driscoll, and Lucy Stanford and the entire defensive unit.  With other results also going in our favor we qualified as the top team in our bracket advancing to the next round of the playoffs. 

All of this resilience was created by a strong preseason schedule that brought together this team of talented players.  From November leading into this Championship weekend the team played 4 College Showcases (NEFC, ECRL-Kansas City, SUSA, and ECRL-Florida.  This preseason we had time to develop the relationships on and off the pitch, learned the tactical approaches of a new coach and built upon competitive trainings. 

On Saturday, in the Semifinal we matched up against CFC.  Our opponent scored first on a second opportunity from a corner.  The team responded well and 5 minutes later Ella McDonald scored from a shot 18 yards out to even the game 1-1.  CFC went back ahead nearing the end of the 2nd half on a cross and finish in transition.  At halftime adjustments were made and the team prepared for a battle to the final whistle.  A hallmark of this team is our ability to respond to challenges, and just 5 minutes into the second half, Sophea Souza scored from  long range to level the game 2-2.  Both teams had chances to win the match in regular time but ultimately the game went into penalty shots.  Ava Quintin, Emery Carr, Gabriella Berardi, and Sophia Horton all converted from the spot and won in PK’s 4-3. 

Sunday, we faced our derby local rivals FC Stars Blue in the final.  The wind played a massive role in the final as it affected the flight and weight of all passes.  In the first half we absorbed the wind and pressure from our opponents, playing smartly by building out of the back, playing into feet and then finding runners in behind.  We created many fantastic opportunities for our forwards and the team bought into a strong defensive mentality going into halftime 0-0.  In the second half we had much of the ball and were able to be in the attacking third for a good portion of the half.  We created many opportunities and 7 minutes into the second half we scored from a corner.  Service in from Laila Rosen, touched on by Anna Baker Dimock and ultimately scored by Ella McDonald.   We absorbed chances from our opponent and remained calm, taking the 1-0 scoreline to the final whistle. 

Excited for what the league season will bring for this group, and look forward to competing at the ECNL Regional Playoffs East June 27th - July 1st in Greensboro, NC.