The Allentown United U-12 girls travel soccer team took second place this past weekend at the Wildwood Beach Soccer Tournament, which was played on sand and the players had to play barefooted. United, in its first-ever tournament under these conditions, played its first game Saturday morning and came away with a 0-0 tie against the Lower Valley Trojanettes. In the afternoon, United beat the Bethlehem Boxers, 6-0. On Sunday, United beat Plymouth Panther Pride 6-0 and qualified for the championship game. In the championship game United lost to Fox Chase Lightning from Philadelphia 3-2. It was a great game to watch. Both teams fought hard until the end.

It was a great experience to play soccer on the beach and see teams from all over the East Coast. There were 35 fields set up and over 250 teams on the beaches of Wildwood. The United team members and parents all camped on the beach and had a great time. Congratulations to the Allentown United Girls for bringing home the second-place trophy. Members of the United team are: Shannon Buckley, Brittany Hodul, Ashley Pereira, Angelique Calise, Meghan Valnoski, Shelby Doll, Dawn Taylor, Ashley Perritt, Amanda Kyle, Brittany Worrall, Diana Braun, Katie Mottola, Brittany Holbrook, Danielle Turner, Carolyn Horner, Gabby Horner and Samantha Meyers. The team is coached by Amaro Pereira and Jeff Holbrook.

UFA 40 FC men’s soccer team finished off their season on Sunday at home with a strong 6-1 victory over a team from Sayreville. After several easy opportunities missed, crashing a shot against the upright or firing wide, Adam Klobucista finally found the target in the 20th minute with his first of three goals. Agim Fishta scored two, one a penalty shot awarded after sailing through the Sayreville defense only to be upended in the box as he was getting ready to shoot. Larry Kaplan rounded out the scoring, a fine headed goal from a Dan Caruso cross. UFA went 11-1-1 on the season, a very strong showing for a new team to the Central Jersey Friendship League. Klobucista was the leading scorer (24 goals) with Fishta just behind him on 20, but leading in the overall assist category. Special mention goes to Caruso, Mory, Nicholson and Reed who were new to the league and performed admirably week in and week out. They also coach in Upper Freehold/Allentown area recreational and travel soccer programs, along with team veterans Darrell, Nicholls and MVP goalkeeper Scarano.

The $150,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes 3-year-old pacing championships at the Meadowlands produced a 1:49.2 all-time NJSS record by the colt Maltese Artist and the 12th consecutive victory by the filly Rainbow Blue.

Both winners were sired by Artiscape, who stands at Perretti Farms in Cream Ridge.

Maltese Artist won by a head over his entry-mate JK Royal Flush to win the $150,000 NJSS final on June 26 in the fastest clocking in New Jersey Sire Stakes history.

With Patrick Lachance driving, Maltese Artist eclipsed the 1:49.3 all-time NJSS mark by the gelding Die Lute in 1999 and erased the NJSS 3-year-old colt pacing mark of 1:49.4 set in May by Spirit Of A Shark.

It was the second win in 16 starts this year for Maltese Artist, but it was his biggest ever. The colt, who won only one of five races as a 2-year-old last year, is a full brother to Artesian, winner of the $500,000 SBOA New Jersey Pacing Classic and $300,000 Berry’s Creek Pace in 2003.

Maltese Artist is trained by Linda Toscano for the winning owners, Enviro Stables, Fred Wallace and the 3 Brothers Stable, who had purchased the colt as a yearling for $47,000.

In the $150,000 Sire Stakes Final for 3-year-old pacing fillies, Rainbow Blue coasted to a 1:51.4 victory over a sloppy track surface to score her 12th victory in a row, eight of which have been this year, and her 13th in 14 career starts. Ron Pierce drove the filly for trainer George Teague Jr. and co-owners K&R Racing and Teague Inc.

The New Egypt Youth Soccer Club has invited the Barons Pro Soccer organization to hold a camp the week of July 26. There is a day camp from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and an evening camp from 5-8 p.m. Call Rich Sample, (609) 752-0351, or Anthony Marabuto, (609) 758-0850 for an application and more information.

Girls fall softball registration for grades 1-8 is now being held at the Jackson Recreation Department. Fee is $35; proof of grade is required. Call (732) 928-1260 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., for more information.

The Recreation Department will sponsor the All-Star Basketball Camp at Freehold Township High School July 26-30. The camp will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will be directed by Lou Piccola, the head boys basketball coach at Colts Neck High School. The camp will stress the development of fundamentals through instructions as well as game experience. Registration is now being held in the Recreation Office at Michael Tighe Park, Freehold Township. Call (732) 294-2190 for additional information.