RallyNorth.net

Newburyport, Pentucket prepare for tournament on turf

Thursday, November, 01 By John Shimer
Staff writer

In preparation for the state tournament Newburyport and Pentucket met up at the New England Soccer School in Amesbury to do some training and scrimmaging on the turf surface.

The Clippers had not played since last Friday, and after working on some technical training for an hour, they finally got a chance to get back in the game mind set with a scrimmage against their familiar rivals.

"Turf is completely different surface; it forces you to play a disciplined and precise game," said Newburyport coach Robb Gonnam. "That is the way we optimally want to play in the tournament, so this was an important practice."

Gonnam said he wasn't worried about the long layover between his last game and the first tournament game.

"I think the kids will be real excited for that first game, which usually dictates how you play in the tournament," Gonnam said of his experienced players. "Most of my kids have either played in big club level tournaments or were on the team that went deep into the high school tournament last year.

"We also have an advantage in that regard because nerves should not be an issue," Gonnam finished. "A couple of seasons ago when we had an all freshmen team for the most part, nerves finally caught up to us in the tourney, but now I think our girls know what it takes to win."

As for the Sachems, who finished the season with a 3-1 loss to St. Mary's Tuesday, they had the opportunity to play against one of the top teams in the area.

"For the past two days we have played on turf and moved the ball beautifully," said Pentucket coach Elaine Treado. "Our biggest need right now is just a couple of easy days before our first game because we are a little banged up. At this point in the season there is not a whole lot anyone can do to better prepare themselves, we just have to play hard."