A soccer team from Dorchester is gearing up for an opportunity to compete against the state’s finest squads this weekend. The Lions — an under 16 travel team fielded by Dorchester Youth Soccer — qualified to represent Boston in the 2009 Massachusetts Tournament of Champions, which will be held in Lancaster, Massachusetts on June 26 -28.

The season-ending tournament features champions from participating travel leagues across the state.
Team manager Maura Doyle last week asked local businesses to help the cause by sending donations in to help pay for the team’s trip, which will cost in excess of $1500.
"The young men on this… team come from Dorchester's many neighborhoods,” Doyle wrote. “They represent everything that is wonderful about Boston and its youth. Whether Cape Verdean, Jamaican, Haitian, Nigerian, Irish American or African American, they are a true team that loves playing soccer and, most importantly, playing together. They travel to the suburbs and compete with pride against extremely well-financed soccer clubs.” Donations, Doyle said, can be made directly to Dorchester Youth Soccer.
— BILL FORRY