Recognized for excellence on the pitch
Published 11:19 am Thursday, September 15, 2016
- Photo by Martin L. Cahn The Lunenburg United Futbol Club (LUFC) U8 soccer team is recognized for its 12-2 run in the spring by the Lunenburg County Board of Supervisors on Thursday. Pictured, from left, in front, is David Wingold, Elisabeth Robinson, Alyla Austin, Sam Robertson, Allen Durocher, Carly Austin, Riley Hawthorne and Lacy Major. In back is Coach Chappell Hawthorne. Not pictured are Juan Lara, Ryder Hawthorne, Brody Nilles, Coach Luis Lara, Team Mom Nikki Hawthorne and league representative Janet Johnson.
The Lunenburg United Futbol Club (LUFC) U8 team coached by Chappell Hawthorne and Luis Lara received special recognition from the Lunenburg County Board of Supervisors at their regular meeting Thursday.
The recognition came as a result of the LUFC squad’s stellar showing in the spring, during which it went 10-0 in the regular season and claimed second in the Lake Country Soccer Splash Tournament, a two-day event similar to the all-star tournaments held for youth baseball.
Overall, the young squad produced a spring record of 12-2.
“I think recognition is a big thing for the kids,” said Hawthorne. “Everybody loves recognition, and it just makes them want to do more and try harder and just see the fruits of their labor.”
The team was also recognized by county supervisors after going 8-0 in the fall of 2015.
Hawthorne hopes the publicity will help bring more awareness about the LUFC, which is fielding multiple teams this fall at various age levels.
“I want to build the soccer program to get it out in the public eye,” he said. “We’re doing great things with the soccer club, and we just need more exposure.”
The recognized U8 team is now competing at the U10 level and is 1-0 so far this fall.