Story by Milton Today

The Scrosoppi FC U15 boys met spring with big-stage success last week, turning back all challenges at one of the biggest international youth tournaments.

Firing on all cylinders at Portugal’s Ibercup, the local squad delivered three straight victories in the knockout round before toppling the host Academia Alcoitao 3-0 in the championship showdown.

Tristen Brown opened the scoring with a perfectly executed volley inside the box, while Zein Elaraby and George Antoun built on that early lead with a low-cross finish and penalty shot deposit respectively.

Dante Corsetti and Ashton Patterson split the cage work in the title win shutout, which followed victories over GS Carcavelos, Central 32 and Academia Alcoitao.

“Belief and commitment to each other is what got us through,” said head coach Shayne Griffin. “The experience of being together for the week brought the players closer together, and they started supporting each other like family on and off the field.”

Garnering interest from several academies – including Sporting Clube de Portugal – Brown was an offensive catalyst throughout the week and Leland Strobie-Griffin anchored a formidable backline that conceded just one goal through the knockout round.

Scrosoppi’s U14 boys also showed strongly at the tournament, advancing to the semifinals before being narrowly eliminated.