NLSA Announces August PYL Players of the Month

The NLSA has named its youth players of the month for June 2022 in divisions from U12 to U17. The players come from various clubs including SJSC, PSC, MPSA, CBS and FAA.

Backgrounders are below.

BU12T1

Wyatt Bursey (CBS)

Wyatt is a fast and shifty striker whose speed, agility and ability to score with both feet have made him one of the most dangerous goal scorers in the league. He helped his team to a silver medal in the July 29 SunSplash tournament where he scored 5 goals in 4 games. Wyatt’s hot streak continued into August where he managed to score in every game during the month! 

Wyatt is a member of the NLSA U-13 Provincial squad as well as the Whitecaps Pre-Prospects group.  

BU12T2

Xavier Dray (MPSA)

Xavier is 12 years old and was born in Grand Falls- Windsor. He started coming around the soccer pitch at the age of 2 and loved the game from day one. He enjoys the centre midfield position and is currently amongst the u12 nlsa provincial pool. Xavier has a younger brother (Oliver), two sisters (Elizabeth and Victoria) and puppy dog Bella. 

GU12

Eloise Lush (MPSA)

MPSA U12 Girls PYL player, Eloise Lush, is always laser focused and ready to play every time she steps on the field!   Eloise has displayed tremendous decision making, ball control, and looks to exploit opposing defences with superb passing or with the dribble having the ball on her foot this season.  Eloise also is an outstanding teammate who cheers positively for all her teammates this season, and is truly a coaches dream to have on their team! Congratulations Eloise, on the NLSA U12 Girls League recognition. 

BU13

Thomas McCarthy (CBS)

Thomas was an intricate part of The BU13 PYL in August. He scored a number of impressive goals displaying not only his strength and pace but also a real eye for goal. He  continues to put the team objectives first which was a major factor in not only the team's success but in Thomas’ own personal development as well.

GU13

Adele Martin (CBS)

Adele Martin is a member of the CBS Strikers Girls Under 13 PYL team. She is a versatile player who strives to contribute to her team in any way she can. Adele plays a strong defensive game at holding midfield while contributing offensively. She scored 9 goals in 16 games, including a playoff goal to help her team win a bronze medal in the PYL GU13 playoffs. Adele is a leader on the field and was named MVP of her team. She also helped her NLSA Girls Under 13 team win the gold medal at the Atlantic
Championship, scoring once in the five games. Adele relishes any and every opportunity to play the game she loves so much. When she’s not playing soccer, she enjoys refereeing games with CBS Soccer and Metro League

BU15T2

Marcus Powell (CBS)

Marcus Powell has played with CBS Strikers since the age of four. He is currently playing PYL U15. Although Marcus plays Center Back with NLSA he has proven himself to be a diverse player on the field where he has also played attacking midfielder with his club. Marcus is a very smart player who is a quick thinker on the field, which allows him to move the ball quickly and usually results in him finding an empty space for his teammate. He is a very hardworking player who utilizes what is taught by his coaches. Marcus shows great character both on and off the field, and his love of soccer continues to grow more with every game.

BU15T1

Ben Collingwood (SJSC)

The St. John’s BU15 team worked very hard to maintain a solid defensive record. And this was spearheaded by Ben Collingwood who played every game and only allowed 9 goals throughout the season. Ben made many big saves all year and developed into a leader of the back line. Ben made some impressive and critical saves late in the final which were instrumental to leading us to victory, which followed up on the other Gold medal which Ben received at the Atlantics with NLSA. It’s been quite a year for Ben!

GU15T2

Gracie Maher (SJSC)

Gracie really started to excel in her position as an attacking wing-mid in August. She did a great job supporting the strikers offensively and was also able to find the net 5 times. She’s a very creative player and has the ability to take on players with both feet, at pace. Her ability to strike the ball with the outside of her foot always makes it difficult for keepers to anticipate. Gracie was instrumental in our victories at the Mega tournament and PYL Final weekend. 

Congratulations to Gracie on a great month of soccer!

GU15T1

Sarah Baker (SJSC)

Sarah is a member of the SJSC U15 Rep team, as well as a member of the NLSA and Whitecaps Programs. Sarah was an integral part of her team's success this year, she is no doubt the defender that no other player wants to go up against. Her incredible speed and skill make it a challenge for other teams to generate offensive opportunities. Sarah was no doubt the player of the game in the club championships. Aside from her many crucial defensive plays, Sarah also demonstrates great offensive ability which led to her scoring the lone goal in 1-0 victory to help SJSC clinch a spot at the National Championships!!

BU17T1

Aaron Reid (FAA)

Aaron Reid of Feildians continued his impressive form right to the end of the season, scoring the lone goal for the tier 1 team in the U17 Nationals Qualifier final. Aaron is a hard working player capable of dribbling at pace or tracking the opposition at pace. Whether he is providing the crucial pass or taking on the shot himself, Aaron is effective in doing so with both feet. Aaron is always trying to learn and enhance his play, which is clear from his positive attitude and well rounded game

BU17T2

Zac Nolan (PSC)

Zac led his PSC BU17 Tier 2 team with a total of 7 goals this year, 2 of which were scored while playing with the Tier 1 team during the season. Over the last 2 years he has built a reputation as a striker with a high pace and physical presence, especially when pressing opposing team’s defences. Zac finished off this season with a strong performance in the BU17 Mega tournament in late August, including scoring both PSC goals in a come from behind victory in the Bronze medal game. For his efforts, Zac was also asked to join the PSC BU17 team representing NL in the Toyota National Soccer Championships in Surrey, BC in October. Congrats and well done!

GU17

Samantha Maher (CBS)

Sami is a hard-working centre back who leads by example. She played in both the U17 PYL league and the Jubilee trophy for CBS. Sami is an anchor in the backfield who also scored 4 goals for her 17's team which helped the team to a silver medal finish in PYL. Sami was named the team MVP for the season. As a call up for Jubilee, even though Sami was the youngest player on the team, she had the ability to organize her team from the backfield and break up attacks from the opposition. She plays a fast, physical game that makes it difficult for attackers to play against. Sami gives 110% at every game and practice and that combined with her determination to keep the ball out of the net makes her a great defender.