Braveheart Soccer......Historical Records

"Joe Mead hits Tim Woitkun with a great lead pass down the right side, Woitkun lifts a cross toward the far post, Perry goes up and heads in a great goal." So it all began. Seven different players scored for Central, (in order, Steve Perry, Jeff Gannon, Jay Rourke, Mike Casale, Mike MacDonald, Ross Tremblay, and Alan Fielding) as well as several additional assists from Jon Kasper(2), Jeff Gannon(2), Tim Woitkun, Joe Mead and Steve Perry, led Central to a solid win. Coaches Flaherty and Eiler cleared their bench early as the Raiders went out to a 4-0 lead only 20 minutes into the first half. It was a good time for subs like seniors Rich Crowley and Dave Lyons who got some solid minutes while helping to keep the level of play high. On defense it was nice to see Ryan Veith and Peter Weger do well. Midfielders Mike Coyne and Mark Ebert showed future promise while striker Kevin Ebert nearly did something that has not yet happened in the soccer program. He nearly connected on a pass to his brother Mark for a nice goal in the second half. Oh well we still have time for that one to happen. Alan Fielding must think this is easy as he scored a goal in his first varsity game. Coach Flaherty had moved up several players to the varsity as the team reached the midpoint of the season on Tuesday. The Raiders skipped not a beat as they all seemed to contribute to the fine play, as did the regulars on the team like Mike MacDonald, Ross Tremblay, and Kevin Ebert. Tim Bourque has quietly become a force to contend with on defense.

The Raiders, fresh off their 17 ranking in the Globe, improved to 7-2-1 with a 2-0 win over rival Methuen. Jeff Gannon scored late in the first half (39:32) on a direct kick just outside the 18. Joe Mead took a super pass from Jon Kasper at the 32 minute mark of the second half and tucked it just under the bar for a 2-0 lead that would stand. Central goalie John McGinness, a late starter due to a muscle strain to Alex deSorgo, registered his fourth shutout of the season. Central returns to action on Thursday, October 4th with a home game versus Tewksbury at 3:30.

September 12 @ St. John's Prep 3:30 loss 6-0 18 @ Billerica 3:30 Win 6-0 19 @ Methuen 3:30 loss 3-2 21 @ Haverhill 3:30 loss 3-1 22 @ Malden Catholic 3:30 Win 5-3 25 @ Andover 3:30 ??? 27 @ Phillips Andover 3:30 Win 2-1 28 @ Whittier Tech 3:30 Loss 8-5 October 3 @ Methuen 3:30 Gill Ave?? 5 @ Chelmsford 3:30 High School 11 @ St Johns Prep 3:30 High School 13 @ Malden Catholic 3:30 High School 16 @ Andover 3:30 ???? 18 @ Whittier Tech 3:30 ???? 20 H Malden Catholic 3:30 GR Law Tech 23 @ Billerica 3:30 Marshall Simons 24 @ Chelmsford 3:30 High School

Central Catholic started its first soccer team in the fall of 1987. Over 100 candidates tried out for that first squad, with 23 getting the chance to make history and be on that first squad. The first coach of the team was Ray Flaherty. Central opened it's season with a 1-0 victory over Haverhill and finished the season with a 7-11 record only to be awarded two victories over Chelmsford due to ineligible players. They then finished with a 9-9 record for their first season.