Springfield duo ready to make more soccer history at CSC
Rutland Herald
March 30, 2010
BY Tom Haley
LEBANON, N.H. James Karkowski and John Kendall were part of some history back in November of 2009. They were members of the first Springfield High School boys soccer team to win a state championship.
They will be in on another slice of history July 17 when they play for Vermont in the first Lions Twin State Soccer Cup Match to be played at Castleton State College.
"I went there on a recruiting trip and saw the stadium. It's a nice stadium," Karkowski said.
Karkowksi at this time is leaning toward attending Westminster College in Utah, a school known for its snowboarding team.
When he saw Springfield teammate Anthony Dana go to the Lions Cup last year, he began thinking about that honor for himself.
The first Lions Twin State Soccer Cup was played in 1975, showcasing the top recent high school graduates from Vermont against their counterparts from New Hampshire.
The girls game was added in 1983.
The event raises money for sight and hearing projects.
Kendall was the mainstay of the Springfield offense with 16 goals and six assists. He will be playing in his future home stadium as he is headed to Castleton State to play soccer for coach John Werner.
Karkowski had three goals and three assists, but his biggest contribution was his work on defense for the Cosmos as the center back.
"He just didn't let anyone get around him," Springfield coach Paul Kendall said.
"It wasn't my intention to play him on defense initially, but he wound up being my main guy back there.
There will be considerable Springfield influence on the Vermont squad as Paul Kendall will also be in camp as one of the assistants to head coach Tony Valente of Black River.
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20100330/SPORTS/3300318/1007/SPORTS
