MIDDLETOWN – Whistles echoed sharply through the chilly air from all four corners of Smith Park at 8:00am this morning, signaling the start of the eleventh annual Middletown Spring Blast. Teams from across the Midwest converged at the Spring Blast to compete for a champion trophy. Among the hopeful teams is the girls U12 North United Blitz from Pittsburgh, Pa.
“Ohio is known for good soccer tournaments,” said Ryanne Palermo, head coach of the Blitz. This year is Palermo’s first time bringing her team to the Spring Blast, and she has high expectations. “The Spring Blast came highly recommended by other teams in our club that have played here in previous years.”
The North United Blitz is one of eleven teams from the North United Classic Soccer Club. In all, 199 teams from six states are competing for thirty champion and finalist trophies in age-based divisions, ranging from U8 through U19. Fourteen teams are from Pennsylvania.
“We’re the first tournament that a lot of teams attend to kick off their spring season,” says Kathy Stites, tournament director for the Spring Blast. “We make sure they all have a good time, go home and tell all their club teams about our tournament.”
The 2008 Middletown Spring Blast is held Sat-Sun, March 29-30, with games from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Championship games are held on Sunday starting at 1:00pm. To follow the North United Blitz and all the teams with real-time scores and photos contributed by fans, tune into www.middletownspringblast.com.
PHOTO: Members of the North United Blitz rally before their first game on Sat. The Blitz plays at 9:15am and 2:15pm on Sat and again at 8:00am on Sun.