The Weekend Update

Last Wednesday, the New Hampshire Phantoms and Vermont Voltage kicked off the weekend early with the Phantoms earning an emphatic 5-1 home win over the Voltage at Portsmouth High School. Steve Palumbo scored a pair of goals (11′, 64′) while Christopher Tsonis (10′), James Goodwin (19′), and Mike Adam (44′) set off the fireworks for the Phantoms. Vermont’s Brian Green ruined any chance of a shutout with a 48th minute goal.

Boston Aztec also claimed victory on Wednesday with a 2-1 win over SoccerPlus CT Reds at Veterans Stadium in New Britain.

The Phantoms continued their goalscoring bravado on Friday with a 3-1 win over Western Mass Pioneers at Lusitano Stadium. Popolizio put the Pioneers on top to start, but the Phantoms answered in kind with a goal from Tsonis (34′), and a couple from Robbie McLarney (42′, 81′).

Saturday saw all four New England PDL clubs in action. The Phantoms returned to Portsmouth for the home leg of their series against the Pioneers and claimed their second 3-1 victory over Western Mass. This time, it was Tsonis with the brace (16′, 77′), with Palumbo chipping in with the opening goal (11′). Alejandro Sucre seized the only measure of success for the guests in the 28th minute.

Miles west of Portsmouth, MPS Portland Phoenix overcame an early deficit to beat Vermont 3-1 in Saint Albans. William Koki opened the account with a goal before the interval (44′), but Michael Kennedy (48′), Ryan Whiteman (60′), and Ryan Griffin (80′) all answered back to give first-place Portland another  convincing win.

Down in North Reading, MA, the Aztec dropped a 2-1 loss to CFC Passion at North Reading High School.

After Saturday’s match, Portland traveled north to Ottawa on Sunday and took a 4-1 victory over the Fury. Aaron Schoenfeld, Charles Rugg, and Brian Fekete gave Portland a commanding lead before Brenden Gorman put one through for the Fury. But Dominic Cutrofello reclaimed Portland’s three-goal advantage before it was all said and done.

The Boston Breakers took a 2-0 win over the Atlanta Beat on Sunday. Keelin Winters (5′) and Katie Schoepfer (81′) gave the Breakers all the cushion they’d need to extend their unbeaten streak to four.

Last, but certainly not least, the Aztec capped the weekend(ish) action with a 5-0 thrashing of the Albany Alleycats on Tuesday.