July 19, 2008 12:00 am Jean DePlacido For the first time in three years, the Peabody Hotshots failed to qualify for the Essex County Championship soccer tournament at Pingree this spring — just one year after capturing the U-12 state championship. But the talented bunch of players bounced back with a second-place finish at the Guilford Soccerfest, an all-girls premier club soccer tournament that attracted top teams from as far away as Quebec. The U-13 Hotshots beat Twin County Revolution of New Jersey, 8-1, in the opening game of the Connecticut Tournament, then blanked MOSA 12, another New Jersey team, 4-0, before shutting out NJSA 04 Select, 2-0. The Peabody girls lost to eventual champion MOSA 13, 2-0, in a very competitive game. "We missed several very good scoring chances," said Hotshots coach Silvio Albano. "It was a great experience for the girls against excellent competition. "I look at this tournament not only as a wonderful finish to the season, but also as an excellent start to the upcoming year, which will begin with a Labor Day weekend tournament. That will be the last year this outstanding group of girls will play together before going to high school to play for various schools — and our goal is to get back to the state tournament." The Hotshots had a successful season, starting with a victory at last year's North Reading Labor Day Tournament, then capturing the Peabody Columbus Day Tournament and winning both sessions of indoor soccer at the Topsfield Sports Arena. They also finished second at the John Smith Soccer Tournament over Memorial Day weekend, and culminated with the silver medal at Guilford. Team members who competed at Guilford include Kara Digiacomo, Victoria Digiacomo, Samantha Borrelli, Sarah Sousa, Cayla Bucci, Christi Feudo, Christa Trombley, Alana Vecchiarello, Nicole Napolitano, Stephanie Breen, Joy Sullivan, Bianca Muscato, Katie Delaney, Melissa Lefave, Mackenzie Foster and Mikayla McCormick, along with coaches Silvio and Eric Albano. ... Peabody West Little League All-Star manager Dave Batchelor had more than one reason for that big smile on his face last night at Harry Ball Field during the state sectionals. It wasn't just because his team had just captured the West's third straight District 15 Little League Williamsport All-Star title earlier in the week, but because he has four players from this current squad who will also be back next year. The general consensus was that this year's all-star team was a year away from truly contending, with only Tyler Noe back from last year's squad that went all the way to the state finals. Some people felt they were too young and inexperienced, with four 11-year-olds on the roster, to win District 15 again. Batchelor will manage the team again next summer, and he can already figure out who two of his top pitchers will be — his son Austin and Matt Hosman. Both pitched brilliantly in district competition. Then there's Mike Petrosino, who handled second base, and Matt Correale (who is affectionally called "The Rat" by his teammates and coaches), who was solid in center field. When he is not catching, the younger Batchelor is behind the plate while Hosman mans the hot corner at third. District 15 has been owned by Peabody West this century, with three consecutive championships and two others back in 2001 and '03. Batchelor's coach this summer is Rob Noe, who managed the 2001 team that went to the state finals. This roster might not strike fear in the opposition the way the two previous Peabody West squads did, but these 12 youngsters came together as the tournament went on and they are prepared to give any team they face a battle. Jean DePlacido is a part-time writer and correspondent for The Salem News. Contact her at jmdeplacido@aol.com.
—
Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.