St. Mary Magdalen CYO Hawks win Region 25 championship

St. Mary Magdalen CYO sixth grade Hawks soccer team scored nine wins and had just one loss during the regular season to end in first place prior to the playoffs. The team scored a total of 40 goals against their opponents and only allowed six goals against them.

With 21 players, 16 different players scored during the regular season. Dan Morrow came through as a top ranked goalie, even stopping a penalty shot during the St Pius game.

In the playoffs, the team’s defense went into high gear. Coaches Rennie and Buttimer could be heard saying, "goals win games but defense wins championships" and that proved to be the case.

The quarterfinal playoff game was held at Bonner. On a frosty AstroTurf field, SMM beat Sacred Heart, 4-0, with the first goal delivered by Delanie Rennie and additional goals scored by Spencer Panzo with two and Declan Buttimer.

The semifinal game was also held at Bonner against a tough St. Bernie's team. SMM would come out on top again, 3-0, with goals scored by Spencer Panzo, Ava Leonhardt, and John Curran.

The championship game was held at Bonner under the lights. Thomas the Apostle played a tough game, keeping the score tied, 0-0, at halftime. Coaches Rennie and Buttimer made a strategic offensive change by placing PJ Barker at midfield and Joseph Hassey in at defense. Minutes into the second half, Barker scored the first goal of the game and the place went wild. A few minutes later, Ava Leonhardt scored the second goal. The Hawks won by a final score of 2-0.

The Hawks continued their strong soccer program and were named this year's Region 25 Champions.

St. Mary Magdalen CYO JV Hawks Championship team are (seen above, kneeling, from left) Delanie Rennie, Chris Palermo, Spencer Panzo, Nick Sustersic, Charlotte Bradley, Brendan Schramm, Zach Collins, Matthew Brennan, Joseph Hassey, and Ava Leonhardt.

Standing (from left) are Eric Courter, Cole Felton, John Curran, PJ Barker, Declan Buttimer, Dan Morrow, Grace Harding, Hannah Bateman, Agnes Freind, Charlie Verna. With the team (at back) are Coaches Maurice Buttimer and Maureen Rennie.

Not pictured: Tara Higgins.