Stefano Franciosa's Blog

Founder/president of North Shore United, owner/director North Shore United Soccer Camp. Franciosa's coaching background is extensive, encompassing elite youth (Region 1 coach and director of the New Hampshire ODP), college (head coach at Newbury College and Endicott; assistant at Bentley and Boston College); and semi-professional (head coach of the NH Phantoms of the PDL.) Franciosa holds an "A" License from the USSF and a Premier License from the NSCAA. He will be co-coaching the boys state championship winning U15 squad in 2010-11 as well as the girls U13 and U14 blue teams.

Scenes from the Finnish Cup

Yes, it's cold but not so bad if you're winning which our team, Ekenas IF, is doing. We've advanced into the 6th round of the Finnish Cup upseting two highly favored Division I opponents in our last two rounds. In each of those victories we prevailed in penalty kicks. In mid March we defeated PK 35, a squad that was a pre season favorite to win the first division. Our 4-2 victory stunned many people but I was confident in our team and was even on record prior to the game as saying we'd win 3 to 1. Against our next opponent -- Helsinki IFK -- we knew we'd be tested again and this time we were handicapped with several injuries and illnesses. After regulation it was tied 1-1 so again we went to penalties. Again we prevailed, in large part due to our talented goalkeeper Oscar Forsstrom. Enjoy the pictures and think of us next week when we take on our next opponent. Also, for more great photos and info on the club please check out the EIF blog: http://eifnyheterfotboll.blogspot.com/

Stefano's Blog

Up North

07/07/2011, 4:48am (EDT)

By Stefano Franciosa

Congrats to all NSU teams

In winning their fourth consecutive State Cup the U15 boys put an exclamation mark on what was a terrific club-wide season this past spring. On the boys’ side four of the teams – the U13s, 14s, 15s, and 16s – were a combined 17-7-3. The U15s (next year’s U16s) are a mainstay in Division 1 Maple and Region 1 Premier League, and they will be joined in the elite ranks by the U16s and the U14s, both of which were promoted and will be playing D 1 next year (U17 and U15, respectively).

On the girls side the U16s dominated Maple Division 1 (5-1-1), winning the coveted title. They can also expect an offer to play a Region 1 schedule next by virtue of their impressive semifinal State Cup showing against eventual winner the Scorpions. The U16s led an overall strong season on the girls side with all NSU teams, U12 through U16, possessing winning records in Maple competition.

The depth of the NSU youth teams is no mistake as the club continues to attract some of the area’s best coaching and playing talent. Thank you to all our players, coaches, and parents – it was a great season and I can’t wait to get started again in the fall.

Up North

06/09/2011, 9:12am (EDT)

By Stefano Franciosa

By the numbers

A few details from Finland in June:

20: number of daylight hours right about now

20,000 plus: frequent flyer miles accumulated after a couple of roundtrips between Helsinki and Boston

1/3: portion of the season we've completed

5: number of points we're ahead of the second place team

13: number of games I've coached in Finland

11: number of wins in Finland

1: number of ties

1: the lone loss (in the Finnish Cup and not league play). The team that beat us, Kups, is playing for the Finnish Cup championship.

1000s: number of minutes spent on Skype

Up North
03/08/2011, 10:53am (EST) , By John Miller
My first 90 minutes with the big club
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Up North
03/02/2011, 4:50pm (EST) , By Stefano Franciosa
It's game time and it's -15 Fahrenheit
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Up North
02/09/2011, 8:42am (EST) , By Stefano Franciosa
Squad advances into the third round of the Finnish Cup
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Up North
02/08/2011, 9:36am (EST) , By John Miller
Former NSU and Masco standout John Miller on life in Finland
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Up North
01/30/2011, 11:47am (EST) , By Stefano Franciosa
A Coach's Life in Europe: A New NSU Blog
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NSU's Franciosa to coach in Europe
01/07/2011, 10:40am (EST) , By NSU staff
Finland's Ekenas offers top post with storied men's team
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NSU Coach Profile: Stefano Franciosa
08/25/2010, 8:34pm (EDT) , By NSU staff
"Everybody used to say that the best soccer was in the western part of the state. That's not the case anymore. The North Shore is definitely on the rise."
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