Blue Devils have formula for success
Depth, talent and discipline have lifted Leominster to 15-0-2 mark
It’s a fairly simple formula for success: Take a load of talent, play at breakneck speeds and limit mistakes.
Well, maybe it’s easier in theory than execution, but it’s a concept Steve McCaughey’s boys soccer team at Leominster High has down to a science. There’s plenty of skill, quickness and responsibility on both sides of the field and the Blue Devils have showcased that all season en route to a 15- 0-2 record and a CMADA Division 1 title.
Up next is the inaugural statewide tournament, which should see a bump in opposing skill, but it’s not as though these Blue Devils are untested. They’ve bested the likes of St. John’s of Shrewsbury, Algonquin Regional and Nashoba Regional — all talented teams in their own rights — to get this far without a loss, navigating through a challenging Mid-Wach A schedule.
Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Algonquin in what in essence has become the Central Mass. title game — with sectionals a casualty of the statewide tournament — put not only Leominster’s skill and composure on display, but it shined the spotlight on the Blue Devils’ depth. Playing without Alex Miller, Leominster’s dynamic star, and key defender Julian Booth, LHS stuck to its gameplan to fend off a talented Tomahawks side at Doyle Field.
In the Central Mass. Athletic Directors Association title tilt,
Michael Halstead broke a 1-all tie with just under 10 minutes to play and the Blue Devils fended off a late surge by the Tomahawks to secure the win. Pablo Ruan Delphorno netted Leominster’s other marker, converting a long feed from Agustin Silva- Olivera to stake LHS to a 1- 0 lead in the first half.
It’s certainly not a one-man show.
Jevic Perez has been a morethan-capable playmaker throughout the campaign, with Halstead proving to be a solid target at the top of the offense. And while the defense in front of Anthony Truong has been strong all season, the junior goalkeeper has stepped up with big saves when called upon.
Checking in with the Falcons
The Fitchburg State women’s soccer team will play tonight as the sixth seed in the MASCAC tournament, hitting the road to face Bridgewater State. The Falcons have faced the Bears just once this season, falling 6- 0 on Oct. 2. ...
Tip of the cap to Lauren Riccardi, who recently wrapped up her final season with the FSU volleyball team and left her mark all over the Falcons’ record book. The Tewksbury Memorial product departs as the program’s career leader in matches played (87), sets played (277), kills (410) and total attacks (1,494), as well as ranking in the top 10 in several other categories. ... The Falcons’ ice hockey opener on Saturday at New England College was postponed, meaning Fitchburg State is now slated to start the season a week from Thursday when it welcomes Salem State to the Wallace Civic Center. ... FSU basketball season kicks off this week as the men head to UMass Dartmouth to face New England College on Friday and the women host Eastern Nazarene on Friday evening.