The Heart of Soccer in the Upper Valley

Welcome to our April newsletter and the start of an exciting spring season for Lightning Soccer Club.

With games officially underway across NECSL and NHSL, it’s been great to see our players back out on the field, competing, learning, and representing the club with energy and purpose. This time of year is always special as all the work from the winter begins to take shape in real game environments.

Throughout the season, we’ll continue to share highlights, stories, and key moments from across the club. If you’d like to follow weekend results, game highlights, and behind-the-scenes content, make sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay connected with everything happening at Lightning SC.

Thank you, as always, for being part of our community. We’re looking forward to a great spring together.

Spring Season Kicks Off

Our Spring season is officially underway, with all of our teams in the NECSL and NHSL kicking off their schedules!

We’re incredibly proud of the work our players have put in leading up to the season. Regardless of results, their commitment, effort, and willingness to learn have been outstanding.

While many of our preseason sessions took place on the smaller fields at the New England Sports Park, it’s been great to see our teams adapt and transition confidently to full-size fields as competition begins.

We’re excited for what’s ahead this spring!

Our Ready Day One Clinic was a great success! It was fantastic to see the energy and focus from our 2015, 2016, and 2017 Boys and Girls.

After a strong three weeks of development, these teams kicked off their Spring season with confidence.

UVM vs. UNH Friendly Game

On March 28th, we were proud to help facilitate the University of Vermont vs. University of New Hampshire friendly at Hanover High School. It was a fantastic opportunity for our community to watch two outstanding programs, led by excellent coaching staffs, compete right here in the Upper Valley.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support the event and help create such a great atmosphere. Congratulations to UVM on their 2–0 win.

Academy Spring Program

📅 Dates: April 27 – June 6, 2026
📍 Location: Sports Park at CCBA, 1 Taylor St., Lebanon, NH 03766

We have two academy options designed for young players at different stages:

LSC Academy (Ages 6–11 | Birth Years 2014–2020)

• Two 1-hour training sessions/week (4–7 PM) + 1-hour Saturday Game Day

• Learn the game through realistic, game-like situations

• Pool training groups players by age, ability & gender for focused development

Register here for LSC Academy

Little Sparks (U5 & younger)

• 1-hour weekday session + 1-hour Saturday session

• Playful introduction to soccer with storytelling, movement skills & teamwork

• Parent participation encouraged for comfort & confidence

Register here for Little Sparks

A Note from Director of Coaching Sasa Cirovic

The problem with trying to win too early: little 'w' vs big 'WINNING'

I love to win. I love when our teams win, but even more important to me is how our teams win. The process matters as much as the outcome. Are we encouraging players to take risks, support one another, and grow their confidence? That is what I am watching for every time our teams play.

But when winning becomes the primary goal, the natural response is to play it safe: long kicks to the big striker, avoiding risky passes, and shouting instructions that override a player’s instincts. It works. And in doing so, it quietly teaches players that mistakes are failures rather than lessons. The players who thrive long-term are almost always the ones who were encouraged to try, fail, adjust, and try again in a low-stakes environment when they were young enough to absorb it.

What WINNING actually looks like

There’s a common misconception that a "development-first" philosophy means being soft on players, not caring about results, avoiding competition, and letting things slide at practice. Development actually demands more than winning does. It asks a naturally dominant player to pass instead of dribble. It asks a goalkeeper to play out from the back rather than hoof it. It asks the team to try to win the ball high up the field, even though sitting back would be easier. None of that might show up on the scoreline this weekend. But all of it will show up when it matters most — in the big games, in the older age groups, and in the players' confidence in their own game.

Here is the best news

Development and winning are not mutually exclusive; they come in sequence.  Teams that build genuine technical and tactical foundations win more as they mature, not less. Patience is the investment. So next time the final whistle blows, look past the scoreboard for a moment. Ask your player what they tried. What they noticed. What would they do differently? That conversation is the real result.

Once we take care of the players, the winning takes care of itself. 

Sasa Cirovic

People of Lightning SC

Chris Pratt and Sarah Blum

This month, we wanted to highlight parents who have built a strong, lasting connection with Lightning SC - individuals whose journey with the club has come full circle.

Chris Pratt is one of those stories. A former Lightning player, Chris is the proud father of two current players, Jackson Pratt (2012 Boys Green) and Malia Pratt (2008 Girls Green).

What does it mean to you to now watch your children play for the same club you once played for?

• “It’s been so much fun watching both of my kids play for the club. I was lucky enough during my time at Lightning to be coached by the legendary Bobby Clark, and it brings me joy to see my kids experiencing that same level of quality coaching through the current program that Sasa and Lucas have built. As a young athlete, you don’t realize that your teammates will become lifelong friends — people I’m still in touch with all these years later.” - Chris Pratt

We also caught up with Sarah Blum, another former Lightning player who remains closely connected to the club today. She is the mom of Mia Currier (2008 Girls Green).

How did your time at Lightning SC shape you as a player and person?

• “Lightning SC was an important part of my life every spring, middle school through high school, 1990–95… which makes me so happy that my daughter can also have that experience. I can see that what it was for me is still what it offers today — developing fancy footwork, precise passing, and how to move skillfully, strategically, and confidently on the field. Being on teams with kids from different schools and learning from excellent coaches elevated the game and my abilities. I credit my experience with Lightning as an integral part of instilling confidence in me during adolescence that reached beyond the soccer field.” - Sarah Blum

Stories like Chris’s and Sarah’s remind us that Lightning SC is about more than just the game. It’s about building connections, confidence, and a sense of belonging that lasts well beyond the field. Seeing those same experiences passed down to the next generation is what makes this community so special.

Save The Date

April 27, 2026 - Don’t miss the deadline for our Spring Academy Program! Registration is now open

May 7, 2026 - 6:00–7:30 PM - Salt Hill Pub, Lebanon - Compete for a chance to win a pair of World Cup 2026 tickets at Gillette Stadium. More dates and locations here

May 26, 2026 - Don’t miss the registration deadline for our 2026–2027 tryouts! Learn more about schedules, age group changes, and what to expect here

June 12, 2026 - World Cup Kickoff Fan Fest 5-8 pm @ Sports Park and USMNT vs. Paraguay 8-11 pm @ Salt Hill Pub - More details coming soon!

June 16–20, 2026 - Our first soccer camp of the summer is just around the corner! Registration is still open - click here to secure your spot

June 22, 2026 - Summer Training & Fitness High School Camp begins and runs through August 6. This program is designed to provide consistent soccer training throughout the summer. Don’t miss out - learn more and register here

August 10–13, 2026 - Preseason Prep Camp kicks off as a focused, high-energy program designed to sharpen players ahead of the season - learn more and register here

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Thank you to our partners, businesses and families who help make Lightning Soccer Club possible. Your support fuels opportunities for every player who steps on the field.