Photo from Black Rock FC Instagram.
Black Rock FC’s U17 and U19 squads travelled for five and a half hours by coach bus from Lake Placid to Milford, New Hampshire, for the Black Rock FC Winter Showcase. The games were played at the Hampshire Dome, a pitch that is much narrower than a typical pitch. The Black Rock squads left Friday afternoon and returned Sunday night, arriving in time for the Super Bowl halftime show. The trip was a fantastic way to give the players exposure, and it was also a memorable experience for the club.
The showcase itself consisted of every team playing four 35-minute games. The showcase featured more than 25 college programs scouting prospective student-athletes. The list included some top colleges, such as Stanford, Harvard, Dartmouth, and more. With coaches seated on the sideline, the intensity of every game was high.
Colleges attending the showcase. Photo from Black Rock FC Instagram
The Black Rock U17s finished the weekend with two wins, one draw, and one loss. They managed to win against Sigma Football Club and Seacoast Bedford. The goal scorers for the U17s over the 4 matches included: Samuel Andoh ‘28, Maxwell Notley ‘27, Josh Baker ‘28, and Philippe Joly ‘29. Overall, the team showed resilience and composure for all four games in front of college scouts.
The U19s mirrored the U17s’ results with two wins, a draw, and a loss. The U19s were unlucky not to secure another win, but overall, the team played well, showing their experience and leadership.
Beyond the results, the weekend allowed all the players to display their talents and build chemistry together. The long bus ride brought the U17 and U19 squads closer together, which is huge for the club.
The U17 team. Photo by Vincent Montreuil ’28.
By the time the team returned to Northwood School in Lake Placid on Sunday night, everyone was tired but grateful for the opportunity to play in the showcase. Now the U17s and U19s from Black Rock have a weekend off before they head to Manhattan to play in their next tournament.
The U19 team. Photo by Vincent Montreuil ’28.
