Massachusetts Adult Soccer

Saturday, June 15, 2024: Four teams arrived in Horsham PA, to contend for the USASA Region I Women's Amateur Cup title. The four teams were:

• Sidekick FC (MASS representative & two-time USASA Region I Champion and 2021 National Finalist)
• Rochester Lasers (WNY and the defending 2023 USASA Regional Champions)
• BEYOND Women FC (ENY),
• Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals Womens Soccer Club (EPA and WPSL)

This year's format was to play 3 games in two days and the best record would be crowned the 2024 Champions.

Saturday morning, the Sidekicks started off strong against the local WPSL team, the Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals Womens Soccer Club. They secured a three to nil win. Sidekicks' goals scored by: Goal scorers:  Annie Mitchell, Dominque Mitchell, and Tessa Howard.

In the afternoon, they played the defending champions, Rochester Lasers (WNY). The Lasers also won their morning game, making this a HUGE match in the Cup.  Five minutes in, Sidekicks Kyra Taylor scored, assisted by Annie Mitchell. They were able to hold the lead until the 44', however the Lasers equalized right before the half. No more goals were scored in this match and the game ended in a 1-1 draw. This would make for interesting games for both teams on Sunday morning.

Heading into their third and final game, Rochester had the lead for the title with a goal advantage, as they won their first game 5-1 (4 goal differential) and Sidekicks 3-0 (3 goal differential). Both teams were scheduled to kick off at the same time, the Sidekicks knowing they had to win by 2 more goals then the Rochester team.

As Sidekicks vs BEYOND Women kicked off, Rochester Lazers vs Ukrainian Women kicked off a little later and lagged 10 minutes behind in their match.

Sidekicks scored 2 goals in the first half. Goal scorers were Tessa and Bridget.  The Lasers vs Ukrainian Women remained scoreless through their first half of play. Sidekicks had made up their goal differential at that point.

Early in the second half, Sidekicks added two more goals by Dom and then a 40-yard blast from Norah.  They lead 4-0 while the other match was still scoreless.

Then in the 51st minute Beyond Women netted a goal, making it 4-1. But Sidekicks responded quickly with a goal from Annie and then a gorgeous header goal by Nora. 

In the 74th minute, BEYOND Soccer scored a second goal.  This ended the scoring in the match and Sidekicks finished out their match feeling good about securing the 6-2 victory.

HOWEVER, in the Rochester Lasers vs UWSC, the Lasers were finally on the board with 2 quick goals early in the second half. They added a 3 third shortly thereafter. 

Lasers and Sidekicks were now even in goal differential, however, in the next tiebreaker, "goals scored", the Sidekicks had a 1 goal advantage.

Time was running out in the Laser's game. Their match entered stoppage time...  one minute remaining in stoppage AND...  they scored the tournament winning goal capturing the 2024 USASA Women's Amateur Cup title and repeating as regional champions.  They will head to the USASA National Final Four on July 27-28th.

We commend the Sidekicks for going undefeated in the regionals and for coming so close to another title.  We wish Rochester Lasers the best of luck in the national finals.  They finished second last year, so we hope they can bring home the National Championship to Region I.