Girls Under-10 Fall Soccer Season

Submitted by Betsie Cummings

In September, it looked like Malden Youth Soccer's Girls U10-2 team wouldn't be able to play. Coach Tom Cummings had started with a full roster, but then enough players dropped out that the team was ineligible to play. The first practice was "scattered," but still everyone held onto hope. Their first scheduled match against Billerica had to be postponed.

Then, something really amazing happened. One player's Mom (Dawn Mini) piped up that she knew more girls who would probably like to play, in the right age group. Recruiting with great speed, Dawn (mother of Kaitlyn) managed to bring in enough girls before the deadline, enabling the team to compete in regulation play. The majority of the players were rookies. Only a few had played in past seasons, but every girl brought confidence, optimism, and a willingness to work with one another and their coach.

With minimal but meaningful practices, Coach Tom Cummings brought a full team to their first match, away, at Reading. That September day was warm, sunny, and scary. Two of the newest recruits had veteran soccer-coach-Dads, some had older siblings who played, some had a season or two behind them. All were nervous. This group smacked Reading with a 4-0 win.

That first game was the team's first test of trusting one another and listening to their coach. Families took their players home, thinking that the win was all luck. The season would show - it was not merely luck:

• 9/24 Malden beats Medford in a 2-1 win
• 9/25 Malden and Billerica meet for the make-up match (the intial game that had to be postponed) Malden wins 1-0
• 10/3 Malden meets Charlestown, and wins the game 3-0
• 10/8 Wilmington: 5-0 victory for Malden
• 10/15 A vicious battle against a Tewksbury team with the same winning record. The game is scoreless until there is about a minute and a half to go.  Both teams have been beating on each other. Malden scores and Tewksbury can't recover.  1-0 Malden
• 10/22 Malden v. Somerville.  Somerville's defense was no match for Malden's "grit". The Malden girls take it 6-1.

The eighth game of the season is October 29. The forecast is calling for rain/snow. The gray skies and a chill wind are barely noticed as the Malden girls and their coach set up for an 11:30 AM meeting with Stoneham. Parents pace nervously. But on the field, the focus is on this game: not the ones already played, and not the one next week. Focus, teamwork, and determination drive the Malden girls to win, 3-0.

It's November 5, a bright, sunny, but very chilly day. Malden travels to Melrose for their final game of a jaw-dropping season. Among the parents there are references to The Patriots' Undefeated Regular Season, but everyone then quickly distances the Malden girls from those expectations. We are nervous, optimistic, and insanely proud.

Malden's defense is virtually impenetrable. Gabby Illebode and Sophia Ruperti are masterful as Melrose jerseys can't even get close to the net. In the first half, Kaitlyn Mini is scarcely challenged as goalie. Darcy Cummings boots in the first goal and the Malden team swings into gear.

After a stellar first half as forward, her speed and footwork proving devastating to Melrose, Isabella Machado takes the net for the second half.

With Illebode and Ruperti defending, Gianna Grey, Syrah Arena, Jennifer Machado, Darcy Cummings, Bethany Sullivan, Camden Delgado, and Kaitlyn Mini rotate on and off the field. Hammering away at Melrose's defense Camden Delgado deftly nails Malden's 2nd goal. Melrose is able to put up one goal, but Kaitlyn Mini locks in Malden's 3rd goal and the team keeps Melrose out of the net for the rest of the game.

Time runs out, and when the whistle blows - Malden explodes.

Before the Malden parents can swarm their team and coach, Tom is heard saying to his huddle, "nothing like this will probably happen to you twice. You girls have everything to be proud of and I couldn't be more proud of this team.  Congratulations."

This season, these girls showed what it is to really be a team. Everyone has a part to play. Everyone is learning. I am so proud to be a player's mom and coach's wife.

Congratulations, Coach Tom and Malden girls: you really do have everything to be proud of.