The U13 Boys continued to mount a serious challenge for the New England Division title this past week by overwhelming Nordic SC and MPS Portland Phoenix. The Fury made it 20 goals in their last three matches and only 3 against with Aidan totaling three clean sheets thus far this season.

This past weekend the U13 Boys notched 2 wins in a Saturday/Sunday home stand which left them as the only undefeated team in the New England U13B division. On Saturday the first place MPS Bulldogs were in Ottawa for what felt like an early season title race. A critical game for all followers could see the winner of this match near the top of the table at season’s end. The Bulldogs started brightly with chances from two corner kicks and a well positioned free kick, but caused few problems. The Fury countered with timely substitutions but had limited real chances for scoring.

A fifth place finish in our group (3-2-3), and very close to second in our pool of nine. An admirable finish, and better than almost everyone expected. More importantly, it demonstrated that we could play with anyone in our age group. If we can do that, we can only improve! At the end of the Primelin leg of the tournament, all coaches voted for the best players at each position. After the Saturday games were completed the winners were announced.

After months and months of preparation, hours of details and dealing with last minute changes, it comes down to this. I have goosebumps as we kick-off the first game of the tournament at Primelin at 9 am. Big field, huge.
Opposition is good but not special. We still have a few nerves but are outplaying them. Finally we put a ball over the top, Ritchie beat the fullback to the ball, took it to the goal, beat the rushing goalie, and slid it in on a wide angle. Goal. Our first goal in competitive European play! 1-0 Fury at the half.

They're bigger, they're stronger, they're faster. They're what we expected. The first 15 minutes was a chess opening, each competitor feeling out the opponent. But we were playing in their house, and our play showed it. Our game was not as steady as it normally is. The play was mostly in our end. We did have one counter attack, Quinn drew the goalie out, then passed to Ismail, who shot... but the angle was too obtuse. Nerves again! The defence held, and through a counterattack, we earned  a free kick 36 yards out. Zack's shot went off the top of the CAL wall, the new direction troubled the goalie, and the ball deflect again, into the net. Goal! Fury U13 boys first European goal!