South Jersey Soccer:
Blue Devils Win U-16 Division

Monday, May 31, 1999

By Jerry Amari
SJSports Special Correspondent

The Vineland Blue Devils U-16 boys soccer team played in one of the most talented all round divisions of the Memorial Day Tournament. There were no weak links with teams from Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey in the bracket. First the local team played the Community AA Sting from Delaware. The score was 7-1. Phil Darby led the team with three goals.

Next the Blue Devils played the Hockessin (DE) Steel. In a rough and tumble match, the Vineland squad prevailed 2-1. Derreck Colla was the goalkeeper for Vineland.

Then Blue Devils met the Amber Wave from the Atlantic United Soccer Club. The Blue Devils were too much for the Pomona team, and prevailed 5-0.

In the finals played at Gittone Stadium, the Blue Devils met a talented team from Lower Merion, PA. The United squad scored just four minutes into the match. The hard charging Blue Devils got one for themselves on a perfect shot by P.J. Ragone. With only one minute to play in the half, Vineland's Phil Darby found himself alone with the Lower Merion goalie at 15 yards out. Darby's controlled footwork got the diving keeper to commit too soon to the ball. Darby knocked home what turned out to be the game winning score.

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Photos by Boog Williams

Vineland Blue Devils 7, Community AA Sting 1

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