By Christopher Shaban
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
REGION-The 47th Twin State Lions Cup soccer game on Saturday will feature the very best players from Vermont and New Hampshire, including some of our own. Our eyes will be focused on Stevens Cardinals players Brynn Murphy and Dylan Chambers, while Kearsarge’s Caroline Camp and Thea Spanos will also join the star-studded Granite State squad. On the Vermont side of the field, Green Mountain will be represented by Elias Stowell-Aleman, Everett Mosher, and coach Jacob Walker on the men’s team, while Kim Cummings will be the Chieftains member on the women’s team.
“I have counted down the days since November 13th of 2021, when I found out I made the team. I have been filled with anticipation, nerves but most importantly joy as I prepare to take the field in this historical game that is played for such a great cause,” said Chambers.
“I am proud and excited for Dylan to be representing us at the Lions Cup game. I’m glad he gets one more chance to live it all over again even after his 4 years of high school soccer are over,” said his high school coach Jason Stone. “It seemed like he could literally battle all day long. His endurance isn’t just about his physical condition it is equally built on how much of a competitor he was. I’ve not coached many players that wanted to compete like he did. That made him a natural leader. If you wanted to come along for the ride with him, great. But the unique thing about Dylan was that even if you weren’t capable of riding at that level, he would still support you”.
“I’m super excited to play in the game, there hasn’t been a Stevens girl playing in the Lions Cup since my freshman year (Audrey Puksta) and I’m so glad I can represent Claremont along with Dylan,” said Murphy, who started playing soccer in the Claremont Rec program as a kid. “Brynn epitomizes our program philosophy of “every time you touch a ball is an opportunity to get better” said Tim St. Pierre who is the Cardinal women’s soccer coach. “Brynn is an incredible athlete, with strength and speed to succeed at the next level. When I arrived at Stevens, I don’t believe Brynn was a defender; but I knew the day I tried her as a center back she would never leave”.
This annual game pits the best players from the twin states that sometimes have competed against each other but will now take the field as teammates. “It’s pretty special to have the opportunity to play with some of the best soccer players in the state and to compete together after competing against each other over the past 4 years in high school,” said Camp as she has stepped on the field many times against Stevens during her four-year soccer career as a Cougar. ‘We had our practice last Saturday and everyone seems to be excited to step onto the pitch one last time representing the state of NH. Playing for Kearsarge was one of the best experiences I’ve had. One of my greatest memories was having the opportunity to play for my dad my junior year when I didn’t even know if we were going to have a season,” said the future Connecticut College pre-law student where she will also be playing for the Women’s Soccer team. “I’m super excited to have the opportunity to play in the Lions Cup Twin State soccer game,” added Camp, who was also selected to play on the NH basketball and lacrosse teams.
“I am honored to represent Stevens soccer and our program in this game, it’s not every year that someone from Steven’s plays, but I hope to leave my footprint,” said Chambers. He added, “Although I never achieved a championship, there were tons of great moments, big goals, Bernard Cups, a great coach, many friends who I grew up playing soccer with and so much more. It all seems to have come full circle as I once more will step on a high school soccer field to represent Claremont NH and Stevens High School.” Chambers will be heading to Keene State College, where he will be playing soccer at the college level for St. Mary’s graduate Rick Scott.
“Stevens soccer works hard to develop players to able to very competitive, I’m happy to show that Claremont has a strong soccer program, My graduating class from the Stevens girls team have been my teammates for most of my life so I’m sad to see my time playing with them has come to an end, but I’m excited to continue playing at the college level,” said Murphy as she will head to New England College in a few weeks and play at the collegiate level. “Brynn’s greatest attributes have nothing to do with sport. She is a great person, great teammate, great student and great soccer player. In that order, and ultimately that’s what really separates her from the pack,” said St. Pierre.
Vermont swept last year’s contests after taking 2020 off. New Hampshire remains in front in the all-time series with a 19-14-5 advantage on the girl’s side while the Granite State men hold onto a slim and 19-18-9 lead. The men’s game starts at 1 PM followed by the women at 4 PM.
Note: Stevens scoring machine Don White still holds the record as the only player with 3 goals in the game.
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