Falcons Drive to Honesdale and Comes Back Champions of the 6V6 Soccer Tournament
By Bennett O.
Nine soccer players, six of them from last year’s Family Foundation School team, and their coaches Willy Williamson and Carlton Williams, participated in the first annual Honesdale 6V6 Memorial Day soccer tournament on Saturday, May 29.
The students who participated were Yves K., Marc S., Jack S., Andrew B., George D., Matt B., Blake J., Ricky S., and Andrew G.
Each team played at least five games with two halves lasting 12 minutes each. The winner of each game received three points, the loser received zero points, and a tie resulted in one point.
In game one the Falcons faced off against Forest City. About three minutes into the first half Falcon defender Marc chipped the ball up to his teammate Yves; Yves leaped into the air and headed the ball into the net. The Falcons had won their first game with a with a 1-0 shutout.
Yves went on to win the MVP of the tournament. “It was a great privilege to participate in the soccer tournament,” said Yves after the game. “I was amazed when I found out that I won the MVP award. If it wasn’t for my teammates, this would never of happened.”
The Falcons’ next match was against Honesdale (2). The game was a blowout. Falcon’s goalie Blake had his second shutout of the tournament; the final score was 9-0, with the Falcons receiving three more points on their scoreboard.
The Falcons played their five games, winning four and tying one. They were in second place, two points behind their archrivals, Honesdale (1).
Just before the championship game there was a shootout. Every player from every team, including the goalie, was able to participate.
It came down to the final two Falcon players, Blake and Marc. One shot after the other; they didn’t miss. Finally, with some adjustments to the position of the kick, Blake won the shootout. “I was proud of myself and my teammate Marc that we were the top two people left in the shoot-out. I’m sorry Marc: I had to take home that win,” said Blake.
Following the shootout was the championship game. Both the Falcons and Honesdale were fighting for the number one spot. With just seconds into the game, Falcon forward Ricky S. stole the ball from his opponent. While dribbling the ball down the field, Ricky faked left and went right. Only ten feet from the net he wound up and ripped a shot to the top left corner of the net. Goal!
The Falcons went on to win the championship game 3-0.
“It was an unexpected chance to reunite the team from last year and play competitive soccer. We took off right where we ended last year and won the tournament,” said Williamson. “After the tournament, the directors told me that the Falcons had the best display of sportsmanship and respect for the game.”
