It was a beautiful weekend for soccer and a beautiful weekend for a couple of Newtown teams to take home championship trophies at the annual Newtown Soccer Club Memorial Day Kick-Off Tournament.

One hundred teams from all over Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New York dropped in for the 18th annual tournament – which began way back in 1983 with just 32 teams in competition.

And as has been a custom, it seems, at least a couple Newtown teams walked away with tournament championships (official and unofficial). The Strikers (U14 boys), won their third consecutive Kick-Off title and fourth in the last five years while the Rockets (U12 girls) and Vipers (U10 boys) each earned titles in a successful weekend of soccer.

Read on for their accomplishments:

STRIKERS – U14

If there is one thing the Strikers can count on, it seems, it’s winning the Newtown Soccer Club Memorial Day Kick-Off Tournament championship. For the fourth time in the last five years, the Strikers captured their respective division title (this time with a 2-1 win over the Norwalk Jets), adding another trophy to the mantle that includes the championships from 1996 (as U10s), 1998 (as U12s) and 1999 (as U13s).

The Strikers’ first game in 1996, against Brookfield, was a 1-1 tie and since that match they have complied a 15-0-1 record in the tournament – including this four wins in the 2000 tournament. The Strikers have outscored their opponents in Kick-Off history, 61-10.

The 2000 U14 Kick-Off Tournament bracket was compiled of eight teams from Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York. The Strikers’ preliminary matches were to be against Southbury, Torrington and Maple Dash, Massachusetts, leading up to the finals.

The Strikers played Southbury to a 4-1 win under the lights at Treadwell Park on Friday night and although Southbury got on the board first with a goal in the second minute of play, Newtown rallied back and answered with Matthew McFadden’s ball into the net in the fourth minute. Mike Vanasse, Brian Smith and Marcus Tracy all added to the Newtown total of four. Jeff Brunaska, Mike Bonsignore and David Anderson all created a strong defense in front of Nathan Walzer in net.

The Torrington Hurricanes blew into Treadwell next, but Newtown calmed the storm quickly by netting four goals in the first half and then three more in the second. Andrew Fiscella had three goals while Vanasse, Bonsignore, Walzer and Tracy all added another. Fiscella shared time in goal with Walzer and Sean Rawson, Peter Dittmar and Chris Wolcott controlled the midfield. David Kugielsky pushed several balls forward and created great offensive pressure for Newtown.

The Strikers’ last preliminary match was against Maple Dash and Newtown needed a win to clinch a spot in the final. Vanasse and Fiscella again proved to be the offensive force netting one goal apiece in front of confident midfield play by Ryan Taplin, Smith and Ryan Keogler. Maple Dash was able to put one in the net late in the first half.  With a 2-1 lead the Strikers concentrated on ball movement and passes that spread the field. Bonsignore and Brunaska contributed aggressive defensive play that shut Maple Dash ‘s attack down for the remainder of the match.

Newtown met the Norwalk Jets, undefeated within their own bracket, in the final match and again Fiscella and Vanasse teamed up for the Strikers offense.  Two, first-half half goals would be all that Newtown could net and once again their opponent countered with one late in the half. The Strikers held onto the 2-1 lead with McFadden, Anderson, and Keogler all supporting the defense.  Walzer was again awesome in goal as the Jets pressure was denied every time.

With their third consecutive Kick-Off title and four out of the last five that they have competed in, the Striker team stands amongst a rare few who have dominated a travel program for so long.

KNOCKOUTS – U13

After losing their opening game to Danbury on Friday night at Treadwell Park – one of four games that officially kicked off the tournament – the Knockouts came back strong to take home the second place trophy in the Girls’ U13 bracket.

The Knockouts fell, 3-0, to Danbury despite great overall games from Tara Ryan, Kate Stickles, Emma Mueller and Quincey Blanchard on the defensive side of the ball. They rebounded well, though, smashing Fairfield, 5-0, as Ashley Larocque scored four goals and Caitlin Kuhn scored one. Caitlin Weber, Amanda Shevlin and Karoline Engel controlled the midfield play and Katie O’Connor threw a shutout in goal.

In a 1-1 tie with Rockville Center (New York), the Knockouts dominated the game, but in the end gave up a penalty kick for the tie. Kaitlyn Fenton scored the only Knockout goal, while Kelly Corrigan led the defense at the sweeper position.  Amy Doyle had an excellent game in goal and on the field, and Sara Salbu was strong out on the wing.

In a 3-1 win over Glastonbury, the Knockouts unloaded 20 shots on goal and scored three times to clinch second. Fenton found the net twice and Davis added a solo score. Stacy Shpunt and Megan Regnery shut down the Glastonbury offense throughout with solid defense.

ROCKETS – U12

With a 2-1 win over Shelton in the bracket finals, the Rockets finished with their own Kick-Off Tournament championship.

It all started with a 2-1 win over Southbury. Tara Gaston, Tori Thomas and Casey Frobey all shared goal time in the win while Siobhan Cooper scored the two goals for the team. Mary Anders, Alex Konneker and Christie Zingoni energized the offense. Erin Clark and Maria Cinquegrana worked hard to keep up the strong defense.

In a 3-0 win over Ridgefield, most of the action was in the first half. Gaston made five saves in goal. Anders shot and Cooper scored on the follow for the Rockets’ first goal. Cooper returned the favor with a shot that the keeper deflected in front of the goal. Anders was there to put it in. Then Cooper took a penalty kick early in the second half with a rocket into the upper left corner. Megan Rawson played excellent containment defense, anchoring the defense along with Frobey.

In the 2-1 win over Shelton, it was again a tough fight for Newtown. Shelton’s offense was hungry for an upset but the Rockets’ goalie, Gaston, wouldn’t let anything past her in the first half. Konneker cut the ball square from the right wing and threaded the needle with a pass to Anders who rocketed past Shelton’s keeper. Later, with three defenders grabbing for her like adoring fans, Konneker drilled the ball into the left corner to score. Thomas showed relentless hustle. Clark ran the show from the midfield. Shelton scored in the 55th minute, but that was just a consolation prize as Newtown rolled to victory.

VIPERS – U10

The U10 bracket, by CJSA rules, does not acknowledge WINNERS in tournament competition but the Vipers still finished their four-team bracket competition with four wins, outscoring their opponents 15-1 and earning the unofficial division title.

The Vipers’ bracket of four teams included Simsbury, Easton, Shelton and Southbury.

The Vipers placed three in the net against Simsbury, in Saturday’s early match. Danny Smith provided excellent goal tending but the Sabers were awarded a second half penalty kick that rebounded off of the bar and back to another Saber who found the opposite corner. Drew Taylor and Nick Kallivrousis gave strong minutes in midfield while Paul Andras netted two and Justin Miller scored one.

The Easton Lighting were held to a 6-0 shutout as five Vipers found the nylon with a balanced attack of both midfielders and forwards. Miller netted two, while Kevin Davies, Max Hoagland, Kallivrousis and Danny Smith had one apiece. Chris Meier was the heart of a solid defense with both Kevin Troy and Jason Smith adding consistent efforts both sides of the field, for Newtown.

The Vipers’ third match was against Northwest rival Southbury and Newtown knew that the intensity was going to be strong, but Miller broke the ice when he netted a ball in the fourth minute. Tony Gallucci and Hoagland pushed the front line into the Cobra box and Andras placed another past the Southbury goalie putting the Vipers up 2-0.  Danny Smith again was superb between the posts for the Vipers, with Meier, Davies and Jason Smith all forming an impenetrable defense that shut out the Cobras.

The Viper’s last game was against the Shelton Clash and a strong defensive effort again provided support the offense.  Miller scored twice while Troy and Gallucci each added one apiece. Kevin Davies played offense, defense and midfield and proved once again why his diverse talents support the team so well.

The Vipers received participation medals for their efforts and were proud to join the other Newtown teams who won their respective divisions.

AFTERSHOCK – U10

Rebounding from earlier setbacks, the Aftershock played a scoreless 0-0 tie against Old Greenwich in the final game of the tournament.

It was a tense, well-played contest, in which each side had repeated scoring opportunities. Early in the second half, Ethan Canfield directed a deep, sharply angled line drive at the Old Greenwich net, but the ball flew just wide of the target. Later, Chris Schreiber, evading four defenders, dribbled downfield and into the clear directly in front of the goal, only to have the Old Greenwich keeper pounce on the ball just as he was preparing to shoot. Eddie Gaddis and Colin Babbage also had near-misses for the Aftershock.

Old Greenwich, too, had its chances: midway through the first half, two of its attackers broke free for an unobstructed shot that keeper Adam Margulies ran out and blocked. Then, just seconds before the game ended, Adam deflected a high, well-aimed kick and, catching the ball as it bounced off his fingers, booted it past midfield and out of danger. Ryan Drummond was again outstanding on defense for the Aftershock.