Reprinted from Middlesex News, June 14, 1994, Local Sports, John Carchedl, sports Correspondent
A year ago, Nikki Tesoro convinced her friend, Megan Burns to try out for the Charles River United 13-and-under girl’s soccer team. She also urged CRU coach Frank Fernandes to give Burns a shot.
Earlier this month, the two Dedham teens helped propel Charles River to the state championship at the University of Massachusetts.
With the victory, CRU qualified for the Northeast Regional tournament this weekend at Rider College (Lawrenceville, NJ), where the locals will face state champions from Maine to Virginia.
Fernandes says Burns and Tesoro have played a large role in the team’s success.
“They both make a large impact,” said Fernandes, who has worked as an assistant/junior varsity coach for Noble & Greenough the last five years. “They’re both leaders. Nikki is a leader because of her intensity. She’s not as vocal, but by example the others follow her. Megan just boils over with enthusiasm, and that enthusiasm spreads to the rest of the team.”
The 12-year-old Tesoro, who started playing the game at age 5 in the Dedham Youth Soccer program, earned a spot on the Charles River team two years ago. And fortunately for Fernandes convinced Burns to try out.
According to Fernandes, Tesoro’s best trait is her defense, but what makes her a quality halfback is she’s “excellent in transition” and can go both ways very well.
The versatile Burns, who shifts back and forth between keeper, striker, and outside halfback, possesses great athleticism, a trait she puts to good use no matter where she’s playing.
“When she’s out there, she has so much quickness, “ lauded her coach, “When she’s in goal, she comes out of the box very well, and when she’s in the field, she’s very dangerous.”
Charles River United finished the regular season with a record of 2-4-1. At the end of the regular season, however, CRU turned things around at a tournament in Columbia, MD., where the team won five games before falling to [Fuller Hamlets] Sutton (Mass), 1-0, in the finals.
Because of its disappointing regular season mark, Charles River was forced to play a “knockout” game against [Bandits] Stow to qualify for the state tournament. Undaunted, CRU stated its case with a win.
Charles River may have entered the tournament as an underdog, but did not play as one, winning all five games convincingly, including a 3-1 win over [Soccer Scene] Northboro in the final.
“We’re really excited, because when we started out, we had trouble in our own division,” said Burns, who scored a goal in the championship game. “We were able to turn it around and win the state cup.”
Playing for Charles River United is a year-long commitment, with games scheduled for spring, summer, fall, along with indoor practices throughout winter. However, the girls are willing to make the sacrifices. “You have to practice four times a week, and you play all year long,” said Burns, “It’s a lot of commitment, but we don’t mind.”
Both girls give much of the credit to Fernandes for the team’s success, and their parents are quick to agree. “The coach is the big factor,” said Sally Tesoro, Nikki’s mother. “(Fernandes) makes the girls want to play and they want to win for him.”
“It’s really a big accomplishment for these girls,” she continued, “The team worked hard all season”.
And Fernandes believes the success will continue at the regionals. “We have a strong, confident team right now,” he said, “I expect to get into the semifinals at least.”
“Nikki and Megan are integral in the design of our team. If we do well, it will be because they do well.”
Nikki Tesoro added, “We expect to win.” After all, Charles River is no longer an underdog.
