Fairfield County Beachside Soccer Wins Titles

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. – Four teams from Norwalk-based Beachside Soccer Club won State Cup championships last weekend and will advance to the Region 1 tournament later this month in Lancaster, Pa.

The under-14 Beachside girls' team defeated FSA United FC Navy in the final, 2-1. The under-14 boys' squad nipped FSA United FC Navy, 1-0, while the under-16 boys' team beat FSA United FC Navy, 3-2. The under-17 squad won, 4-2, against FSA United FC Navy.

The State Cup title is the first in the five-year history of the girls' program at Beachside, which is run by Mickey Kydes. It was the fifth straight state title for the U17 team, which is ranked No. 27 in the nation. The U14 boys' team is ranked No. 1, and the U16 boys' team is ranked No. 2.

“Our boys reputation has been very good,’’ Kydes said. “We finally won one in the girls, which is nice. We’ve been building the program over the past few years.”

The girls are coached by Nathan Riddiough, who has been coaching in the Beachside organization since 2006. Kydes and Gabriel Stan coach the U14 boys. Chris Laughton, the Norwalk High School coach, is the coach for Beachside’s U16 squad while Kydes is the coach of the U17 team.

“It just shows that our parents, coaches and players are committed to the same philosophy,’’ Kydes said. “I visited Barcelona last year and have incorporated a lot of what they taught us to the way that we play. It’s all coming to fruition. We won playing a pretty good style.”

Kydes believes the Beachside teams can put forth a strong showing in the Region 1 Tournament. Last year’s U16 team, now the U17s, narrowly missed getting to the championship round. The team won its first two games in pool play before losing, 2-1. It missed a chance at advancing on goal differential.

“All of our teams have a shot at regionals,’’ Kydes said. “We’re not going there just to compete.” Beachside won the U12 boys' regional title last year.

Beachside teams are comprised largely of players from Fairfield County. The opening ceremonies for the Regional tournament are June 28.

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