WINNING back-to-back U.S. Club Soccer National Cup Championship titles and going undefeated against NPL teams from Texas, Iowa, Illinois, Colorado and Illinois again in the finals was the 2008 Aztec girls’ soccer team. North Reading team members are (l-r): Allie Lanciani, Reilly Tassinari, Sydney Rech and Kiersten Higgins. (Courtesy Photo)
Five local girls instrumental in victories for Aztec Soccer Club
NORTH READING — For the second straight year, the 2007 and 2008 Aztec Girls’ Soccer teams competed on the national stage in Denver, Colorado with the hopes of winning a national championship.
Marisa Montana (2007), Allie Lanciani (2007 & 2008), Sydney Rech (2007 & 2008), Reilly Tassinari (2007 & 2008) and Kiersten Higgins (2008) arrived at Dick’s Sporting Goods Stadium with one goal in mind: Win!
For the 2007 Aztec team, it was an opportunity to avenge a disappointing loss in the National Premier League (NPL) Championship last year and for the 2008 Aztec Team, it was a chance to repeat as U.S. Club Soccer National Cup Champions.
The 2007 Aztec team’s path to the NPL championship started in bracket play where they came out firing on both sides of the ball. They had 3 wins and 0 losses, scoring 14 goals and only giving up 2 against opponents from Washington, Southern California and Idaho. After making their way through the semi-finals, they came away victorious with a dominant performance over California in the final, securing one of the two national championships for the soccer club.
A few days later, the 2008 Aztec girls’ team started their defense of their 2020-21 national championship. In similar fashion, the ’08 girls played lock down defense, dominated play, and took advantage of their scoring opportunities by scoring 13 goals and giving up only 2.
THE AZTEC girls’ soccer 2007 team won its first National Premier League championship title to become the U.S. Club Soccer National Cup Champions. The North Reading members of the team are (l-r): Sydney Rech, Allie Lanciani, Marissa Montana and Reilly Tassinari. (Courtesy Photo)
With wins over Texas, Iowa and Illinois, the ’08 girls were tested in the semi-final against a solid Colorado team but came away with a 2-1 decision. Not to be denied, they met Illinois for a second time in the final and defeated them 3-1 to capture their second national championship in back-to-back years and complete the mission of taking home two championship trophies.
The 2007 and 2008 Aztec girls’ soccer teams all train together under the guidance and direction of their coach, Mo Keita. The countless hours of technical and physical training by these young girls over the years in both club and North Reading Youth Soccer is astounding and applauded.
With three National Championships in the last two years, the New England soccer scene and beyond are taking notice of the accomplishments of these teams and their capabilities as players.
Congratulations on another historic season, winning two national championship titles and being the only Massachusetts-based teams to win titles in the 2021-22 season! Their fans and families all look forward to watching these girls play club soccer and on their North Reading and Austin Prep high school soccer teams.
Perhaps there will be an article in the Transcript next year featuring their pursuit of back-to-back titles for the ’07s and 3-peat for the ’08s!
