‘Tom Cup’: A Celebration of Competition and Community

By Gary Curreri

Twelve boys and girls age groups from Under 9 – Under 19 competed on March 1 for their Tom Cherubin Cup championships at Spanish River Athletic Complex. Coaches and Trainers of the Year, the Vince Righi Boys and Girls Young Referees of the Year, and graduating high school seniors were also honored.

Girls Under 9 decided by penalty kicks

As Harper Doiron made her third and final game-winning save in the Under-9 girls championship, she leaped into the air in celebration. The sixth-seeded City House secured a 1-0 (3-1 PKs) victory over the top-seeded Polin Dental Owls to claim the Tom Cherubin Cup at the Spanish River Athletic Complex.

Doiron played a pivotal role, scoring on her opening penalty kick after regulation and overtime ended in a scoreless draw. She then blocked three attempts, handing the Owls just their second loss of the season.

“She was our anchor on defense and throw-ins,” said Leon Brown, who coached the team alongside Javier Ramos. “Harper was our goalkeeper in the shootout, our first shooter, and our first scorer. We wouldn’t have won without her.”

But the day wasn’t just about competition—it was about community. From the youngest U5 players to graduating U19 seniors, everyone came together to celebrate their love for soccer through carnival rides, amusements, vendors, and refreshments provided by the SABR TOPSoccer program.

A Cinderella Run to the Finals

Coach Javier Ramos, whose team, City House Blu Berries, entered the playoffs as the sixth seed, was proud of their journey.

“We were looking forward to a good game,” said Ramos, whose team went 6-3 in the regular season and 3-0 in the playoffs. “We were the underdogs—beating the second and third seeds to get to the finals, then taking down the top seed.”

The victory was about more than just winning.

“This feels great,” he added. “The girls are happy, and we’re happy for them. The best part of coaching is watching them improve and form friendships. They cheer for each other, and that’s what makes SABR soccer so special.”

Balancing Camaraderie and Competition

For Polin Dental Owls head coach Andrew McMillin, soccer is about growth just as much as results.

“Today is about both competition and camaraderie,” said McMillin, whose team finished 12-1-1. “I’ve coached in SABR for a long time, and I probably know 10% of the players we’ve faced. That’s part of the fun—seeing familiar faces and fostering a sense of community.”

McMillin’s coaching philosophy focuses on effort over winning.

“Our three team goals before every practice are to have fun, improve, and outwork everyone,” he explained. “Winning is just a bonus.”

His assistant coach, Carly Polin, a former SABR player turned coach and sponsor, echoed the sentiment.

“It’s amazing,” she said. “I love coaching my daughter and giving back. I grew up playing in SABR, so this is fun for me and for the girls.”

The Tom Cherubin Cup: A Unifying Event

SABR President Larry Faerman, now in his fourth year as president, has been involved with the club for 16 years, including a tenure as girls’ director for four years.

This year, the club registered approximately 2,100 players, ranging from U5 to U19.

“We grow by about 5% each year, and we want to keep expanding,” Faerman said. “Today is the Tom Cherubin Cup finals, named after a longtime club administrator. It’s not just a competition—it’s a celebration for all our players, families, and community members.”

The day featured carnival rides, food, and games, culminating in a community-wide event.

“It’s a reminder that even though we compete on different teams during the season, we’re all part of the same club, sharing the same colors and community,” he added.

Giving Back Through TOPSoccer

Susan Vogelgesang, Administrator of the SABR TOPSoccer program, oversaw a massive effort to provide over 3,000 hotdogs and other refreshments throughout the event.

“While the food is free, we have a donation box, and people are also contributing through Venmo,” she said. “Those donations help keep TOPSoccer free for our special needs athletes.”

Now in its 25th year, the nine-week program runs from January through March 8, providing a fun, inclusive soccer experience for special needs players.

“It’s an eye-opening experience for the buddies who volunteer,” Vogelgesang added. “We make it as fun as possible for the kids.”

A Growing Love for the Game

At the younger levels, U5 through U8 players all received participation trophies, reinforcing the focus on fun and development.

“In our younger age groups especially, we emphasize a love for the game, teamwork, and the joy of being outside with friends,” Faerman said.

League parity also played a big role this season.

“It’s exciting to see lower-ranked teams making deep playoff runs,” he noted. “In almost every division, the top two seeds didn’t make the finals.”

For Faerman, the resurgence of older age groups was another highlight.

“This year, we saw a 25% increase in high school boys’ and middle school registrations,” he said. “It’s a great sign for both the club and the community.”

Though his own kids have aged out of the program, Faerman hopes they stay involved.

“They still love the sport and play in college,” he said. “Maybe when they graduate, they’ll come back as referees.”

 

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