Brookline Shines At Olympia

NOVEMBER 6 - Brookline took two teams to Olympia Park for the annual CitiParks B.I.G. League soccer finals Saturday evening, hoping for a playoff sweep, and came home with one champion and one runner-up. Both teams, however, put on championship performances all season long.

The Brookline squads, members of the Brookline Youth Soccer Association, each reached the title contests with convincing semi-final victories. The PeeWee Reds ran wild over an out-matched Northview Heights team, 4-0, with a pair of tallies by Alan McClelland and insurance goals by Chris Lopatta and Larissa Pallone. The elder group, Amedure Tire Service, or the Brookline Yellow Team, advanced with a dominating performance against Sara Heinz, winning 6-0. Kevin Undereiner's hat trick was complemented by Shawn Boyle, Joe Barley and Scott Dallas, each with a goal apiece.

Saturday night's PeeWee Division (ages 9-11) title matchup saw the regular season champion Red's lose a nail-biter to a talented Old Allegheny squad, 4-2. The Sophomore Division (ages 12-14) finale that followed featured Amedure Tire Service overcoming a strong Olympia Soccer Club by the score of 2-1.

In the opener, the Reds jumped off to a quick 1-0 lead on a goal by Max Boyle. Goalie David Monz, who had allowed only two goals in the previous ten outings, held back a relentless Old Allegheny attack with some spectacular saves early on, but the pressure was too much and OA's Jeff Ungerman snuck one past to tie the match at 1-1. Jameson Hall answered with a goal of his own to give Brookline a 2-1 edge at halftime.

The second half saw the Red Machine sputter, then disengage completely. Old Allegheny came on with goals by Ungerman, Josh Trocchio and Ben Blakeley, while goalie Nick Hopps and a stingy defense held Brookline's potent offense in check. When it was all over OA had pulled off a shocker over the #1 seed. It was a disappointing loss for the Reds, but only one blemish on what amounted to an excellent 10-1 season.

Brookline's coach John McGrath had nothing but praise for his charges. "Sure, it was a heartbreaker. We knew coming in that we were in for a tough one. Old Allegheny played a great game, but our kids had a great season. Overall, we outscored our opponents 55-6. You can't ask for much more. I'm very proud of each and every one of them."

The second match of the evening saw Brookline's Sophomore finalists, Amedure Tire Service (11-1 and also the #1 seed), strike quickly with a goal by Luke Parker. Olympia countered when Justin Geary beat goalie Adam Walkowiak to tie the score at 1-1. The first half ended with the two teams even at one goal apiece.

The second half kept the fans on the edge of their seats as both sides threatened but could not score. Then, with five minutes remaining, Kevin Undereiner found the net, putting Brookline ahead to stay. Olympia charged, but the defense held, and when it was all over Brookline had a 2-1 victory and claim to the title.

Coach Emil Erhart and his team wore ear-to-ear smiles. Asked for a post-game note of praise, he lauded stand-out goalkeeper Walkowiak, undefeated during the regular season and owner of eight shutouts. Emil then pointed to his "Secretary of Defense", Erin McNulty, who along with her fellow defenders held back the hard charging Olympians with deft precision.

The happy coach then conceded that it was a total team triumph, with each player contributing in their own special way.

The evening ended with all members of the Brookline contingent taking home another soccer trophy for the family den, some bigger than others but all reminders of a championship season to be proud of.

* Written by Clint Burton, November 7, 1999 *