Sharon Rec and Travel Soccer / news

Sharon Recreation
Department

Important Dates | updated 6/23/09

MLS Clinics	Mondays	see below	Gavin's Pond fields
Saturday Soccer Pick-Up Games	Saturdays	9-11am	Sharon Middle School
Fall Soccer - late registration deadline (+$25)	after 8/1
Fall Rec registration closes	8/31
Rec Coaches Meeting	9/3	7:30pm	TBD
Rec Coaches Clinic	9/5	TBD	TBD

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 | updated 4:37pm

Sharon Travel Teams Posted
The rosters for the 2009-2010 Sharon Travel Soccer teams are now posted. Coaches will be announced soon. Congratulations and good luck.

2009 Kathy Lawler Memorial Scholarship Recipient Announced
Congratulations to Ben Posnick, the 2009 recipient of the Kathy Lawler Memorial Scholarship. Ben has been an outstanding contributor to the Youth and High School Soccer Programs over the years. Best wishes to Ben as he continues his education.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009 | updated 10:54am

Girls U18 Team Wins SSSL Division 2 Title
The Sharon girls U18 travel soccer team captured the South Shore Soccer League Division 2 title by defeating East Bridgewater in the championship game by a score of 4–1. Before the opening kick-off, it was determined that the East Bridgewater squad was short one player. In a risky but sporting gesture, Coach Jon Lavien opted to play even up, fielding only ten players on the pitch rather than play the entire match with a player advantage. With the game knotted at 1–1 at the half with most of the action having taken place in the Eagles defensive end, the girls came out in the second half with a more focused attack featuring better ball control and movement. As a result of the adjustments, the Eagles were able to put three more balls in the net while quieting the EB offense for the victory. Along with the championship trophy, the U18g2 Eagles were also the recipients of the SSSL Sportsmanship Award, receiving the distinction among all of the teams who battled in the weekend playoff tournament. Congratulations to Coach Lavien and his players: Stephanie Bartas, Erica Beach, Clare Cunningham, Liz Daley, Michelle Dodes, Julie Federman, Allie Friedman, Annie Fritson, Carly Furr, Sara Gildersleeve, Aly Handler, Danielle Kaigler, Candice Lavien, Becky Marder, Victoria Ruzzo, Rosie Tootell, and Liz Wluka.

Soggy OT Caps a Great Season for U14 Boys
The Sharon U14 boys lost 3-1 in overtime to Weymouth in the SSSL championship game this past Sunday, missing an opportunity for many of them to qualify for MTOC for the 4th consecutive year. Played in the wind and rain, the team tied the game late in the second half, only to fall in the extra session. The loss did not do anything to dampen their spirits (Mother Nature took care of that) as many of the players competed at the Division 1 level for the 3rd year in a row. As a consolation prize, sure to make Sharon parents and friends proud, the boys did come home with the SSSL Sportsmanship Award, as did the U18 girls. Congratulations!

Saturday, June 20, 2009 | updated 10:58pm

Good Showing in SSSL Semis
Heading into Saturday's South Shore Soccer League semifinals, Sharon had 3 teams playing for the right to play in Sunday's finals. U12B1 (Lowerre) lost to Brockton 3-1, U14B1 (Rosenblum) beat Bridgewater 2-1 in a game that went through 2 overtimes and was decided by penalty kicks, and U16B1 (Bloom) lost a tough match to top-seeded Weymouth 1-0. On Sunday the U14 boys take on top-seeded Weymouth for the right to go to MTOC, and the U18G2 (Lavien) girls play East Bridgewater.

Saturday Soccer Pick-Up Games to Begin June 27
We will be starting Soccer Pick Up games on Saturday, June 27, from 9-11am behind the Sharon Middle School. These sessions will run pretty much all summer. Please come out and join us for this fun event. All grades are welcome (Pre-K through High School) and parents are welcome to play. It's great to get a good mix of ages and skills! Please remember lots of water! If you have any questions, please e-mail Brian Dunlea at Bkdunlea@comcastnet or Brendan Murphy at Bmurphy@walshbrothers.com

Sunday, June 14, 2009 | updated 1:46pm

Travel Playoffs Begin
Congratulations to the following Spring Travel Teams for qualifying for South Shore Soccer League Playoffs: U16B1 Bloom, U14B1 Rosenblum, U14B2B Balzano, U12B1 Lowerre, U12B2B Goodman, U18G2 Lavien, U14G2A Robbins, U14G2B Reilly, U12G2B Furlong. Schedules and directions for playoff games are posted to the SSSL website. Good luck in your playoff run.

Wednesday, May 26, 2009 | updated 9:20am

Coaches Corner: The Lure of a Great Stadium
SSA has put together a series of tips and techniques to help soccer players improve their game and their appreciation of soccer. Click here for the ongoing series.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009 | updated 9:20am

MLS Camp Info
If you're interested in signing up for MLS Camp, sponsored by Sharon Soccer Association, you can download the brochure and registration form here. Programs are for K-2nd grades and 3rd-6th grades and take place at Gavin's Pond Field from August 24-28.

Fall Rec Registration
Fall 2009 rec registration is at Gavins Pond fields on May 30 and June 6. No word on time or any other details. Stay tuned.

Picture Day Set for May 30th
Picture day at Gavin’s Field for pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, first and second grade girls and boys will be held on May 30, 2009 during the scheduled sessions. Please download a form and fill it out before coming to the field. Checks only.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009 | updated 11:29am

Coaches Corner: Penalty Shoot-Outs and Finishing Skills
SSA has put together a series of tips and techniques to help soccer players improve their game. Download this PDF document that demonstrates Penalty Shoot-Out strategies and Finishing Skills.

Soccer Clinic at the Middle School for 6-8th Grade Girls
All 6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls are invited to participate in a soccer clinic to be held at the Middle School on the following dates: Friday May 22, Friday May 29 and Friday June 5. The clinic will run from 3-4:30pm, weather permitting, on the football field at the Middle School. The clinic will be run by Bill Wallace, the Sharon Girls Varsity soccer coach. Cleats and shin guards will be required for safety; mouth guards are recommended. Don't forget to bring a ball! Parents must arrange for prompt pick-up of their child at the end of each session. The cost of the program is $20 (checks made out to Mike Moriarty). The deadline to register to ensure a spot is May 15. Limited signed registrations will be accepted at the field, space permitting. Please contact Mike Moriarty at 781 296-6451 or by email at mikem399@msn.com to confirm your spot. Registration forms can be dropped off or mailed to: Mike Moriarty, 399 South Main Street, Sharon, MA 02067

Friday, May 1, 2009 | updated 5:42pm

MLS Clinics Return
MLS clinics return on Monday April 12 and will continue each Monday for the rest of the season. U10 and younger will train from 4 - 5:30 PM and U12 and U14 will go from 5:30 to 7 PM. These clinics are held at Gavins Pond.

Used Cleat Exchange
Do you have a bunch of unused cleats in your house? Here’s your chance to clear the clutter.

1) Bring your used cleats to Saturday Practices
2) They need to be clean, tied together, and placed in a clear Ziploc bag that is labeled with the size.
3) Place in the designated container that will be located near the Snack Shack
4) If you need a pair, just look through the container

Monday, April 6, 2009 | updated 5:29pm

Rec Players Posted
All 2009 rec players are now listed. Click here.

Help Wanted: SSA Registrar
SSA is seeking registrar help. The Registrar for the Sharon Soccer Association carries leadership for planning, organizing and maintaining all of the activities associated with registration for travel and recreation seasons and tryouts. The registrar is an officer position and occupies an executive board seat. If you are interesting in helping the registrar’s office please contact the President, John Lavien at jalavien@comcast.net.

Spring Travel Practice Schedules Now Posted
Schedules are now posted here.

Note about Late Rec Registration
There is some confusion about deadlines and late fees. It's simple. If you are registering between now and April 1 (end of registration period), you're late... but you can still sign up. It will now cost you an additional $25, on top of the basic registration fee. So, when you register, write the check for $90. This late fee, however, does not apply to K and Pre-K players.

Thursday, March 12, 2009 | updated 11:10pm

Nominate a Senior for the Kathy Lawler Memorial Scholarship
The Sharon Soccer Association’s annual Kathy M. Lawler Memorial Scholarship is intended to recognize the soccer player(s) in the senior class who best exemplifies the ideals of competitive effort, good sportsmanship, team spirit, and community involvement. The award is intended to honor the memory of Kathy M. Lawler, who served for many years as the Registrar of the Sharon Soccer Association. A candidate for the SSA’s annual scholarship must be:

1. A graduating senior at Sharon High School, pursuing further education.
2. A varsity member of either the girls’ or boys’ HS soccer team.
3. A positive example of competitive effort, good sportsmanship and team spirit.
4. A significant contributor to SSA’s youth soccer program, above and beyond any participation as a player. These contributions must have been for a minimum of four SSA seasons.

The candidate’s contribution may have involved coaching, refereeing, fund-raising, or any other activities important to the success of the SSA’s youth soccer programs. These contributions must have been on a volunteer basis. The award is not based on soccer-playing ability. It is also not necessary that the candidate be a product of SSA’s “traveling” soccer program, provided that he/she meets the criteria listed above.

Scholarship candidates may be presented to the Association either by application or by nomination. A candidate’s application must include the seasons the candidate volunteered for the SSA and the job(s) the candidate participated in. Candidates must be presented to the Association by April 20^th. The winner(s) of the annual scholarship will be determined by a majority vote of the Board of Directors of the SSA. A scholarship will not be awarded in a year when no well-qualified candidates are presented. Winner(s) will be announced at High School Graduation.

Mail your nomination essay to SSA, PO Box 393, Sharon, MA 02067.

Sunday, March 1, 2009 | updated 11:16pm

Sign Up Now for Spring Rec Soccer; Deadline Extended to April 1
Snow and freezing cold. Flat soccer balls under inches of ice. No worries! Spring soccer is just around the corner, so sign up now. Registration is now open for boys and girls Sharon recreation soccer. Most games are played at Gavin’s Pond fields every Saturday from April 11 to June 6 (no games on April 18 or May 23). Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten and 2nd Grade Boys play 8:30am to 10:00am. 1st Grade Boys and all Girls play 10:30am to 12noon. Third and Fourth Grade boys and girls (3/4th Grade is co-ed) play at East Elementary School from 12noon to 1:30pm. To register, download the form (Spring MYSA Registration Form). Please mail the Registration form to Sharon Soccer Association, P.O. Box 393, Sharon, MA 02067, along with a registration fee of $65.00. Registrations must be received by February 1, 2008. Late registration will be accepted until April 1, 2008 with a late registration fee of $90.00 (no late fees for Kindergarten or Pre-K). We are always looking for parents willing to coach. NO PRIOR COACHING OR SOCCER EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY TO COACH, only enthusiasm. Please fill out the coaching form. It’s going to be a great spring – see you out there! Any questions, ask Paul Driscoll at driscollpm@comcast.net

Tryouts for New Travel Teams Coming in June
Okay, we're really not close, but it's never too soon to think about travel soccer. Tryouts for U10, U12 and U14, for boys and girls, run from June 8-15, 2009. See details by clicking the TRAVEL SCHEDULE button to the left or just click here.

Monday, January 26, 2009 | updated 7:31pm

Sharon Soccer U10A Girls Win Indoor Championship

The girls U-10A team f

inished off a magical indoor season with a 1-0 win over Norton in the championship game. Excitement filled the air and the stands were packed for a Sharon vs. Norton showdown. As one parent said “being involved with Sharon girls sports for a number of years, I have never seen such an exciting, well played U10 Soccer game." The first half ended scoreless. Sharon came out flying in the second half and scored on a nifty pass and shot to take the lead. The defense held off repeated attacks and shots from Norton and held on for the win and the championship. The team finished with an 11-0-1 record. This team played very good offense but the defense was even better posting 6 shutouts and allowing only 8 goals. What’s even more impressive about this group of girls is; they played as a team, showed respect for each other and their opponents and made each and every parent and fan proud to be associated with the Sharon Soccer Program. Members of the team include Victoria Zambello, Jenny O’Neill, Natalie Gray, Emma Jaeger, Sydney Gordon, Ally Steinberg, Meaghan Connolly, Shira Stoller, Ariana Chabot, Sabrina Robbins, Alexandra Filipkowski and Coaches Joe Zambello and Peter Gordon.

Monday, November 17, 2008 | updated 12:42am

Rec Soccer and U10 Travel
Many people are confused and think that spring rec soccer is included for U10 travel players - it is not. Like with all sports in Sharon, Rec is one thing and Travel is a completely different thing (well, same sport anyway). If your U10 travel player wants to play spring rec, he or she can and must complete the MYSA spring rec form and pay the $65 before the deadline (otherwise there's the $25 late fee).

Saturday, November 8, 2008 | updated 10:25pm

SHS Boys Varsity Beats Medway, Advance to 2nd Round
Sharon High School boys soccer team defeated Medway this Friday, 4-1, and will move on to play top-seeded Canton at 6pm Sunday (tomorrow) at Canton High School. Keep going, Eagles!

Friday, November 7, 2008 | updated 9:16am

SHS Boys Soccer Begin Playoffs Today in Medway
Sharon High School boys soccer team (#17 seed) is playing Medway (#16 seed) today at 2:30pm at Medway High School. This marks the 4th consecutive year that the SHS soccer program has qualified for the State Tournament— a Sharon High School record. This from SHS Boys Varsity Soccer Coach, Barru Kaye: "This is the result of a strong Freshmen and JV program at the high school, but it really is the result of the great job that the SSA has done over the years. The results speak for themselves. Everybody connected with Sharon Soccer can be proud of this consecutive streak." Hope to see you at the game!

Monday, October 13, 2008 | updated 12:16pm

Monday Night MLS Clinics - Come on Down, Today!
Come and train with Dan and Mikey our resident MLS coaches, (former Pros from England). The sessions are open to individual players or entire teams. There are two sessions. U10 and younger players on Mondays (that means today!) from 3:30-5pm and U12-U14 players from 5-6:30pm. The sessions are at Gavins.

Parking Rules for Gavins Pond Fields
The safety of our kids is always paramount, so please consider them when driving in and around the Gavins Pond parking lots and in the street-side parking across from the front lot. Please review the SSA Gavins Pond Complex Parking Instructions and Rules (pdf). For the sake of clarity, let's go over the fine points: Drive very slowly (tiny kids are everywhere and you can't see them under your Escalade). Don't hit anybody or anything with your car (always a good idea). Follow the traffic flow as depicted on the form, which is to go in via the "entrance" and leave via the "exit" (don't be lazy; your sitting in a car, so travel the extra 20 feet). Park head in (never understood why people feel a need to back into a space. Looking to make a fast getaway? Again, if you're backing up, there's a better chance you could run over a kid, so front in only.). Follow the instructions of the people directing traffic (and, of course, don't hit them). Basically, watch the kids, take your time, follow the rules, and be a good neighbor.

Saturday, July 5, 2008 | updated 4:40pm

2008-2009 Sharon Travel Soccer Rosters Posted
Rosters for all teams are now posted. Congratulations to all. Have a wonderful summer, rest, practice a bit, and we'll see you on the fields.

Meet the MLS Coaches
If you're interested to learn a bit more about the MLS coaches that give special instruction to our kids here in Sharon, we've posted a bit of background information about coaches Sharon Wates and Daniel Boulton in the ABOUT US section.

Saturday, March 18, 2006 | updated 5:15pm

Parents Cheer. Coaches Coach. Players Play.
Soccer's a great game. Anyone can play and the kids love to run the field, defend, pass and shoot the ball. Just remember the Code, folks. The Sharon Soccer Association's Code of Conduct, that is. They're spelled out here, but it all boils down to this: parents cheer, coaches coach, and players play. If you have a problem with a coach or disagree with an official's call, keep it to yourself (and away from the kids). Sleep on it, or just wait for a more appropriate time to voice your opinion. Trust the coach. Respect the officials. Love your kids.