Greetings NSA Members,

On behalf of the entire Northfield Soccer Association board, I want to acknowledge another successful, exciting season of soccer.

In addition to hundreds of players and parents enjoying the "beautiful game," four teams qualified for the MYSA State Tournament in Blaine in late July. The U-16 boys won the State Championship in their age group and class. This was the second time in three years that Andy Yurek has helped coach a U-16 C-2 boys' team to the State Championship.

The NSA was well represented at State by:

* U14 Girls C2 coached by Suzy Beaumaster, Gerald Young and Craig Hall

* U11 Boys C2 coached by Jason Truax

* U14 Boys C2 coached by Hank Tetreault and Simon Tyler

* U16 Boys C2 coached by Andy Yurek and Dan Rohr
 

Season Recaps
U-16 Boys' Assistant Coach Simon Tyler: The U16s, under the excellent leadership of Andy Yurek and Dan Rohr, and superbly managed by Diana Abbott, won the South district with a record of 9 - 1 - 2 and earned sufficient points to warrant a C1 berth next season. They won the Dakota Rev tourney back in the spring. The U16s won the state tournament by beating Forest Lake 4-2 in an open, exciting game. Throughout the tourney, a high-scoring offense was key. The Raiders scored 21 goals and were unbeaten in their five games while going 4 - 0 - 1. The season was truly a team success.

U-14 Girls' Co-Coach Craig Hall: The U-14 C2 girls had a strong season finishing at the top of the South District, earning promotion to C-1 for the 2009 season and the automatic bid to the state tournament. In pool play at the state tournament we had a record of 3 -1, losing only to Minneapolis United by a score 0-1. We tied for points at 27 apiece but they advanced to the championship on the first tie breaker of head to head record. Our final record, including tournament play, was 19 - 1 - 1.

Other Accomplishments

In-House Coordinator Terry Gersemehl will help more than 500 young players close out their season next Thursday, July 31.

The Jesse James Shootout Jamboree organized by NSA Vice President Gerald Young and an enthusiastic group of NSA staffers hosted a record-smashing 80 teams on Saturday, June 28.

And at the invitation of the MYSA, Craig Hall and Hank Tetreault helped coordinate an all-out NSA effort to host 29 U11 girls' teams for the South District Tourney.

On Sunday June 20, through the efforts of U12 girls' coach Mary Schmidt and U19 girls' C1 player Anna Fure Slocum, a friendly game between former NSA coaches and players was staged at Spring Creek as a fundraiser for NSA's scholarship fund. Nearly $500 was raised. Our sincere thanks go to Mary and Anna.

We hope you enjoyed this summer season of soccer and that many of you will find time in your busy schedules to volunteer (if you haven't already) for some portion of the program's activities next summer.

Upcoming Annual Meeting
The NSA Board invites you to attend its annual general meeting Monday, Sept. 22, beginning at 7 p.m. in the meeting area behind Just Foods Co-op, in River Park Mall. The entrance is on the northwest corner. Please attend and bring your ideas for improving the program.

Thanks to all of you!

Kevin O'Connell MD, NSA Board President