Massachusetts Adult Soccer

USASA Indoor Championship: Safira and Last Call claim men's and woman's titles

Mass Spirit and Last Call headed into the USASA Woman's Indoor Cup finals after drawing their last regular game 1-1. These highly competitive and very skilled teams continued their battle in the championship match by alternating goals until the final whistle blew with a score of 4-4. In penalties, both teams converted 3 of their 5 shots. Goalkeepers, Shannon Stranzl (Mass Spirit) and Brooke Freeburg (Last Call) made tremendous saves to keep their teams alive to force sudden death penalties. It was Last Call's Brittany Schandelmayer who struck a nicely placed lower corner shot into the back of the net to claim her side the title.

In the Men's final, the veterans of Lexington Eagles kept each match close, while SVU (Special Victim's Unit), Playwright, New England FC and Future all battled to see who would progress to the finals against undefeated Safira. Although Playwright came the closest to containing Safira's indoor prowess, holding them to a 1-0 victory with Safira scoring in the last minutes of the game, it was the men of SVU (pictured below) who fended off all other teams earning another shot at Safira in the finals. SVU put forth a valiant effort with strong defense and teamwork but Safira's ability to spread the field and finish their opportunities demonstrated why their one of the top men's indoor teams in the nation. The Safira boys demonstrated artistic passing, great foot skills, team play, and most of all a passion for the game of soccer. Safira prevailed in the men's final 7-0. Congratulations to all teams on a well-played, fun and competitive tournament.