BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 13, 2004 – The Boston Blast Boys Under 18 soccer team advanced today to the semi-finals of the Massachusetts State Cup. With three wins, the Boston Blast U18s won group A and will play the SUNS, the runner-up in Group B, on Saturday June 19th. The game is scheduled for 10:30am at Mansfield High School. “This was our goal, man,” said Chris Laurence, a central defender for the U18s. “At our first indoor practice in December we set the team goal to be playing for the State Championship on June 19 and 20th … now we are there.” According to Curt Burmeister, head coach for the U18s, the team is peaking at the right time of the year. “We are 6-0-2 over the last eight games. The defense is not letting in many goals and the offense is starting to score consistently … that’s a good combination. If we maintain our team shape, stay organized, and play quickly, we will be tough to beat.” During the streak, all six wins have all been by shutout and the team scoring average is almost two goals per game. The semi-final game is a rematch of an early season MAPLE League game. In that match, the SUNS defeated Boston Blast by the score of 2-0. “We are going to win this time,” said David Chadwick, central midfielder for the Blast. “We are a much better team now than we were a month ago. The SUNS are in for a surprise.” The sentiment is echoed by Simon Reale, a member of the BU14 Boston Blast team. “I’ve been to a couple of U18 practices and they are really good. I’m picking them to win it all!”

About Boston Blast F.C.   Boston Blast is a non-profit organization that sponsors competitive soccer programs for both boys and girls. One of the largest youth soccer clubs in the state of Massachusetts, Boston Blast offers its “School of Excellence” programs for players under 10 and sponsors competitive teams both boys and girls in the U11 to U19 age groups. For more information visit www.bostonblast.org.