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Arlington U-10
Team Wins
2002 Prince William Soccer Invitational Thanksgiving Classic
A co-ed Arlington U-10
team (Potomac Kiwanis Club, with guest players from the Falls Church and
Civitans Clubs) decisively won the 2002 PWSI Thanksgiving Classic in the
U-10 Boys Division.
The team overcame cold
and windy conditions on November 23-24, 2002, winning all its games with
scores of 8-3, 7-1, 7-1, and 5-1 in the championship game.
The Potomac Kiwanis
players were: J.C. Comeau, Will Ferguson, Shannon Johnston, Paige Levenberg
and Andrew Panknen. Guest players were: Collin Leibold, Patrick Rollo,
Kyle Swenson and Dane Warner from the Falls Church Club and Robert Dewald
from the Civitans.
Captain Kyle Swenson, by
force of his character and personality, was key to bringing together players
from three teams and making them into a cohesive unit. He had 3 tournament
goals and inspired the team to superior play in every game.
The defense was anchored
by top goalie J.C. Comeau, who made spectacular saves at pivotal moments.
Robert Dewald, defensive MVP of the U-10 boys’ division, led the defense on
the field with stellar, confident, intelligent play. Robert also
contributed on offense with 3 goals.
Dane Warner’s best game
was the championship game, when he completely shut down the opponent’s best
player, an explosive scorer who had multiple goals and assists in all of his
previous tournament games.
Patrick Rollo played
almost all positions in the course of the tournament and did an extremely
solid job at each.
Playmaker Will Ferguson
served up several perfect cornerkicks during the tournament, and secured the
championship game with only 18 minutes left by coming off the bench and
making a beautiful assist within seconds to Collin Leibold for a 3-1 lead.
Will also played well in the goal.
Andrew Panknen and Collin
Leibold led the tournament in scoring with 8 goals each and were
co-offensive MVPs of the U-10 boys’ division. Collin scored multiple goals
in 3 of the 4 games, many at key moments. A tired Andrew Panknen dug down
deep with the score tied at 1-1 with 20 minutes left in the championship
game, and took over the game. He scored the tournament winning 2nd
goal and the team’s 4th goal in the final game as well.
Shannon Johnston and
Paige Levenberg were the only girls playing in the boys’ division, and both
quelled the odd looks and comments. Few could get past Shannon’s tough and
tenacious defense, and Paige contributed with 3 goals, including one in the
semi-final when her cornerkick spun directly into the goal.
Head Coach Rick Levenberg
was assisted by Falls Church coach Peter Leibold, Civitans coach Tom Dewald,
Joe Rollo, Clay Warner and all the parents, friends and family members who
came out to support the team.
The most satisfying part
of the tournament was the fact that players from three teams that have had a
strong and healthy rivalry for the past few years came together to play as
one successful team.
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full-size photo
Kyle Swenson, Robert
Dewald, Dane Warner and Andrew Panknen warm up before game..
Robert Dewald taking a
goal kick with JC Comeau in the goal.
In line for handshakes
after winning the championship game (R-L): Kyle
Swenson (behind Wolves player), Paige Levenberg, Andrew Panknen, JC Comeau,
Shannon Johnston, Will Ferguson, Collin Leibold, Dane Warner, Patrick Rollo
(behind Dane) and Coach Levenberg.
Team photo after the
final game.
Front Row: Shannon Johnston, Paige Levenberg, Will Ferguson
Second Row: Robert Dewald, JC Comeau, Andrew Panknen, Collin Leibold,
Dane Warner, Patrick Rollo, Kyle Swenson
Back Row: Tom Dewald, Joe Rollo, Clay Warner, Peter Leibold, Rick
Levenberg
Team photo after trophies
were awarded.
Front Row: Dane Warner, Paige Levenberg, Shannon Johnston, Will
Ferguson, Collin Leibold
Second Row: Robert Dewald, Kyle Swenson, Andrew Panknen, JC Comeau,
Patrick Rollo
Click for
full-size photo
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