Last weekend at the 44th annual Natick Classic Soccer Tournament the Arlington Soccer Club had 18 teams competing across 5 different age groups in a fun weekend of soccer. Of those 18 teams, almost half made the semifinals in their divisions, 2 emerged as champions, and one received the coveted sportsmanship award for the tournament!
Here are some highlights from the winners:
ASC U12 Greyhounds Honored with Prestigious Sportsmanship Award in Natick
Last weekend at the 2026 Natick Fall Classic, the Arlington Greyhounds teamed up with players from the Badgers and Belmont to put on a fantastic showing. Facing a tough group stage, the newly blended squad battled relentlessly. The two opponents Arlington fell to were the powerhouse teams of the division, and ultimately played against each other in the final. Arlington proved they belonged right alongside the bracket’s top tier, playing hard to the very end, but falling 1-2 after Sunday.
The Arlington Soccer Club could not be prouder of how this team conducted themselves throughout the tournament. The Natick Classic Sportsmanship Award is an incredibly prestigious honor, given to only 10 teams (out of more than 270). The Greyhounds were nominated by both the referees and our opponents as showing exemplary sportsmanship. It is the ultimate validation that these boys truly lived out the core ASC values of respecting coaches, referees, teammates, and opponents.
Congratulations to players Charlie, Colin, Corey, Declan, Ethan, James, Jude, Kaito, Mason, Oluwadarasimi, Sam, and Theo for representing Arlington Soccer Club with unmatched class. It was an absolute privilege to watch them carry themselves this past weekend! Congratulations also to coaches Zack and Hannah for their exemplary leadership and coaching!
ASC U12 Bulldogs Claim Tournament Championship in Natick
The Arlington Bulldogs, competing in the highest U12 division, completed a clean sweep of the tournament going 5-0, scoring 11 goals, and giving up just 1 goal all tournament. In the championship game they faced their rivals, and tournament hosts, Natick. The game was a full team effort culminating in a 1-0 victory! They even managed through a mid-game bee sting to their goalie to secure the win and the championship.
Congratulations to players Henri, Lucien, Benjamin, Eliot, Nirvan, Oscar, Albert, Liang, Pierce, Nate, Rakshith, Thomas, Kai, and Sam. And congratulations to coaches Cedar, Mike, and Michelle for guiding them to victory!
ASC U14 Girls Claim Tournament Championship in Natick!
The Arlington Flupies and Arlington Airsharks teamed up to put on a fantastic showing at the Natick Tournament. Embarking on the weekend with equal parts nerves and enthusiasm, the girls stayed true to who they are, living out the ASC ethos to always “Keep It Fun.” The newly blended squad clicked quickly with sharp passing, teamwork, and a rock-solid defense allowing just five goals all tournament behind center backs Marlowe G. and Zahra T., alongside stellar work from keeper Vicky F.
The Road to the Finals
Group Stage Grit: After a tight opening loss to the Natick Nighthawks, Arlington bounced back with a 3–0 win over the Natick Lightning Slots, securing crucial bonus points behind a shutout preserved by a dramatic 1v1 save from Vicky F. Finally, a hard-fought 2–2 tie against Milford-Hopedale advanced them out of group play.
Semi-Final Revenge: Rematching against the Natick Nighthawks in the semifinals, Ada W. provided the game’s defining spark, hammering a 30-yard free kick knuckleball past the keeper for a 1–0 victory to send Arlington to the title match.
Championship Comeback vs. Newton
Newton tested Arlington’s resolve early in the final, striking within the first five minutes on a shot that seemed to enter the net in slow motion. Unfazed by the early deficit, the girls locked in and went right to work. Arlington’s steady pressure paid off when a brilliant team buildup set up Saoirse M. at the top of the box to bury the equalizer. Momentum shifted firmly in Arlington’s favor when Ada W. lobbed a set piece ball to Kaia M., who anticipated it perfectly and beat the keeper for the go-ahead goal. Pouncing on a misplayed goal kick, Ada again capitalized to sink a crucial insurance goal and make it 3–1.
Newton fought back with a strong buildup goal to cut the lead to one, but Arlington stayed composed in the closing minutes, maintaining possession and turning back Newton’s late pressure until the final whistle sealed the victory.
Congratulations to players Isha, Alexandra, Vicky, Marlowe, Isabelle, Nelaxeen, Simrin, Lindsey, Asya, Kaia, Saoirse, Sydney, Hayden, Zahra, Clara, Olivia, Serena, Jane, Krithika, and Ada. And congratulations to coaches Adrian, Katie, Jess, and Jay for guiding them to victory!
