Soccer: BOCA U-16 team prepares for tourney
July 12, 2000
Soccer: BOCA U-16 team prepares for tourney
Published in the Asbury Park Press 7/12/00
By JOHN AIELLO
CORRESPONDENT
The Jersey Shore BOCA junior under-16 soccer team is planning to take on the world’s best at one of the largest and most prestigious youth soccer tournaments.
On July 14, the team will depart for Blaine, Minn., to compete in Schwan’s USA Cup 2000, which will be held at the National Sports Center during the week of July 16-22.
This year’s tournament will include the largest foreign contingent in Schwan’s USA Cup history with 105 teams representing 21 countries. More than 6,000 games will be played with 34 states and 21 countries represented.
Olympic-style opening ceremonies will kick off the Cup on July 16 at the National Sports Center. Over 13,000 athletes from 21 countries will parade around the outdoor stadium wearing uniforms and native attire.
While at the tournament, players, coaches and chaperones will live in dormitories at the University of Minnesota.
The BOCA team will play at least four games, one each day, in a round robin World Cup format, with the possibility of also advancing into the playoffs on Friday and Saturday.
In addition to offering top-level competition, the Schwan’s USA Cup is also one of the largest college recruiting tournaments in the United States.
This tournament appearance will mark the last event of a successful season for the BOCA team, which is coached by Walt Konopka. The team captured first-place this spring season in the highly competitive South Jersey Soccer League “Olympic Division” with an 8-0-0 record.
The team was also a finalist in the 1999 Lancaster (Pa.) Invitational Thanksgiving Tournament and a finalist in the 2000 Potomac (Md.) Memorial Day Tournament. In addition, the BOCA team participated in the statewide New Jersey Premiere Development League.
The current BOCA roster includes:
Dan Brady of Howell (CBA), Mike Baiata of Point Pleasant Beach (Point Beach), Kris Cheeseman of Barnegat (Southern Regional), Mike DaSilva of Howell (Freehold Township), Jordan Demarest of Toms River (Toms River South), Chris Ehlers of Howell (Howell), Tommy Gallo of Oakhurst (Ocean Township), Brian Giglio of Toms River (CBA), Chris Konopka of Toms River (Toms River East), Jon Lester of Howell (Freehold Township), Joe Montefinese of Howell (Howell), Pat Montefinese of Howell (Howell), Charlie Smith of Toms River (Toms River East), Ryan Trachman of Toms River (Toms River East) Anthony Tramontano of Ocean Gate (Central Regional), and Matt Acciani of Cherry Hill (Cherry Hill East).
Published on July 12, 2000
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