The U10 Seacoast Mariners North (Foley) soccer team played in the Coastal Summer Challenge this past weekend (June 14-15) on fields at Bowdoin College, Topsham and Brunswick. There were a total of 192 soccer teams represented from Maine and New Hampshire. Of all of these teams, Mariners North (Foley) scored the second highest amount of goals with 27, missing the out on the title by 1 goal. They played four games over the weekend, beating their first opponent on Saturday, 7-1, and their second, 11-0. The offense shined, as everyone on the team scored at least one goal, with Cody Cleaveland, Gus Silverman and Simon Paledzki each putting the ball in the net several times.

Sunday’s competition was a bit stronger, with the team beating Seacoast Mariners South, 7-3, at their first match of the day. The goaltending duties were split between Alex Hembree and Gavin Loupe, with both keepers making save after save, and shutting down their opponents. The final match of the weekend for Seacoast Mariners North (Foley) was against a very strong Seacoast United “Premier” (all star) team from New Hampshire. The boys played hard and left it all on the field. In the second half, Goalie Alex Hembree was injured while making a save. This left the team with no subs, as they have played all season with a limited squad. Aidan Foley and Garrett Cossette stepped it up a notch on defense, hustling to every ball, and eventually shutting out the Premier team’s offense. The boys won their final game of the tournament, in a hard fought and physical battle, 2-0.

Coach Paul Foley said he was very proud of the team.

“The boys have worked hard all season, and played most of their games with only one substitute, when most of our opponents had 5 or 6. Despite dealing with adversity throughout the season, we really came together as a team, and they showed that this weekend. I’m very proud of them," said Foley.

The U10 Seacoast Mariners North (Foley) finished the season with 7 wins, 1 tie and 2 losses. They finished first in their division in last weekend’s “Coastal Summer Challenge” going undefeated in four games.

For more information about the Seacoast United soccer program, visit www.seacoastunitedmaine.org.