Brasher's Little Larrie youth soccer season ends with mini-World Cup competition

BRASHER FALLS – As vuvuzelas blared, the Little Larrie youth soccer program held its season finale on Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 23 and 24, with a mini-World Cup competition for both the U8 and U12 programs.

The World Cup was hosted by the Brasher-Stockholm Recreation Commission under the lights in the Tri-Town Community Center outfield.

Competing in the U8 division were Team Ghana (Kathleen Bellinger, Ramsey Tozier, Kiley Converse, Rylee Daoust); Team Italy (Elizabeth Best, Lindsey Phippen, Gabrielle Thomas); and Team Brazil (Emily Lantry, Elaina Sokalski).

After round-robin play, the championship game went to a shoot-out between Ghana and Brazil.

With colorful fans biting their nails, Ramsey Tozier scored the only goal in the shoot-out giving Team Ghana the win.

Competing in the U12 division were Team South Africa (Matt Drake, Andrew Lantry, Will Arquiett); Team Spain (Haliegh Weegar, McKenzie Taylor, Eliza Sullivan, and Lauren Shantie); Team Netherlands (Melanie Richards, Drew Rose, Shane Rose); Team South Korea (Zach St. Hilaire, Trent Dow, Jarret St. Hilaire, Ryan Newtown); and Team England (Bailee Gauthier, Leah Francis, Carter Rose, Grant Taylor).

After a hard fought round robin, the consolation game was one of creative scoring between England and Netherlands.

In the first half Leah Francis connected to put England up followed by an equalizer by Drew Rose.

The Netherlands pulled away in the second half with two long goals scored by Melanie Richards and Drew Rose.

Bailee Gauthier scored late in the half closing the gap to just one but the Netherlands held on with a 3-2 win over England.

The U12 championship game was one of skill and grit with one yellow card and scoreless at the half.

It was a game of inches with more than 20 shots missing by just that.

With the help of some frenzied fans, South Korea was able to score halfway through the second half from the foot of Ryan Newtown.

While South Africa put continuous pressure on and tried some trick plays, South Korea was able to hold on and win the Cup.