By Chris Goldberg, TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 7/18/21
BEL AIR, Md. – There was no panic when FCA Upstate Navy fell behind to New York rival Upstate Salt Kings, 3-0, early in today’s 2022 championship game of the Victory Events Summer Cup at Cedar Lane Regional Park.
In fact, FCA Upstate scored the next nine goals and claimed a 9-4 victory to secure the title, capping a 5-0 tourney.
In all, FCA outscored its foes 58-11, winning its second tournament championship in three weeks (FCA took the NXT Delaware Invitational 3 weeks ago).
“We’re just one big family and when we keep our energy high we know how to punch back,” said midfielder Matt Slowinski (Clarence High). “I have been with the team for 3 years, but most of the guys have been together for 6 or 8 years and we spend every minute off the field together.”
The Salt Kings – also undefeated until the final – took the lead as Colin Doyle (Baldwinsville, Mid) scored twice after Daniel Ludington (Christian Brothers Academy, Mid) tallied the first goal. Meanwhile, goalie Tyler Novak (Bethlehem ) stopped the first five shots, some of them at point-blank range.
But FCA broke loose when Noah Gibson (West Irondequoit, ATT) scored on a man-up situation. Colin Tardif (Auburn, Mid) scored in transition and then Gibson scored two more before the half, the second on a second assist from Patrick Carpenter (Horseheads, MF).
FCA dominated the second half from the start. First, Tardif scored and then Marcus Darminio (Marcellus, MF) made it 5-3 before Gibson fed Jamie O’Neill (Haverling, ATT) for a 6-3 lead.
“The chemistry on the field is the key for us,” said defenseman Thomas Wolford (Webster Thomas). “The boys just help everybody out. We play like a family.”
Carpenter scored and then he fed Paulie Chariello (McQuaid Jesuit, Mid) for a 9-3 lead.
Gibson finished with three goals and an assist and Carpenter had a goal and three assists while Tardif tallied a pair.
Ludington scored twice for the Salt Kings and Novak had 11 saves.
“We just played together as a team and moved the ball well,” said attackman Wade Brunelle (Jordan-Elbridge). “We executed everything. We get hyped up before the game and get our energy up and play with that energy on the field.”
Said Gibson: “Definitely our spacing helps, and and knowing where guys are going to be. We run things the way we know we can run them. We all grew up together – even playing against each other – but we’re all friends.”
