Lynn’s U14 girls soccer team was crowned Essex County Youth Soccer Association champion this past weekend. The program, led by coach Steve Johnson, went 7-1 during the regular season en route to its 11-on-11 championship.
What made the team special is that it was, actually, short on numbers, but never gave up, according to Johnson.
“We barely had a roster, to be honest,” he said. “We had eight regular season games and some of the games we actually played with only 10 players.”
Despite having a short roster that had 13 players, at-most, Johnson touched upon the dedication he saw from the girls.
“The season itself was challenging, but it showed to me, at least, that the team was filled with dedication and commitment. From the very first game against Lynnfield, they showed their commitment,” Johnson said. “We only had 10 players for the entire game and didn’t have a water break. My keeper is only 11, so she’s actually playing up. We won that game, 5-2.”
The Thunderbolts’ sole loss came against Ipswich, which was known for having the best defense in the league, per Johnson.
“It was a weekday game that was rescheduled because it was during Ipswich’s April vacation. The traffic was a nightmare; it was difficult for the parents to get up there,” Johnson said.
He also recalled his team being “disorganized,” but slowly growing into the game.
“We had to play players in positions that they had never played before. We went down, 1-0, early on and, at halftime, they were leading, 3-1,” Johnson said. “We clawed our way back into the game and tied it at 3. We were the first team to score more than one goal against them.”
The Thunderbolts clinched a spot in the playoffs as the No. 4 seed. Talk about a challenge – their first game was against top-seeded Andover.
Again, Lynn had to play the game with 10 players on a hot day, and ended up fielding nine players with seven minutes remaining after a player got injured. That said, the strong-minded Thunderbolts made due and beat Andover, 4-0, to advance to the championship game.
Lynn’s opponent in the finals: Ipswich.
“I told the girls that if we did what we’re supposed to do, we are capable of doing it and I have full confidence we can beat them,” Johnson said.
It was scoreless at halftime, and Johnson’s message was to just play their game.
Well, come the second half, Lynn stepped up. It was “a totally different game,” according to Johnson.
“Once we scored the first one, I felt that we had it because this would have been the first time that Ipswich was down. They had never had to come from behind,” he said. “After we scored, the team just stepped up.”
“It was a nice feeling for the girls because some of them, most of them, actually, will be going to high school. This would have been the last opportunity to play at this level and come out as champions in Essex County,” Johnson added.
The U14 players who helped bring the championship to Lynn: Isabel Candelario, Madeline Son, Mia Duncan, Kaylei Johnson, Maria Romero-Nolasco, Yenelis Reyes, Camila Lxlaj- Martinez, Charlene Duvert, Haydee Lopez, Zulia Lopez, Devin Moniz, Lexiana Batson, and Dasha Gomez. Johnson was assisted by Sarim Son.
