When you consider excellence in Eastern New York girls youth soccer teams, the Syosset Sting 92 Elite is inevitably mentioned.
The Sting has won six -- that's right -- six consecutive State Cup titles.
Now, for the second year in a row, Syosset ventures to the U.S. Youth Soccer nationals in Overland, Kansas for a shot at a title.
After falling short last year, the Sting is hopeful of bringing back a title for Eastern New York and the Syosset S.C.
"We had a very good season in the national league," Syosset coach Joe Agiato said of his team's third-place finish.
The Sting also finished third in the Region I Premier League as well, missing out on the title by a goal.
"Any single elimination anything can happen and we certainly had our scary moments throughout the entire process," Agiato said of State Cup. "But that's what makes it anyone can win type of tournament. But I think this team showed its resiliency with six consecutive cups."
Indeed.
No. 6 came at Stringham Park in a 2-1 victory over the Albertson Fury Gold Premier 92 to capture the Girls Open Cup Under-17 title in La Grange, N.Y.
Emily Banes gave Syosset a 1-0 by making a fine play on a second hall. She faked one player in the penalty area, went to her right foot and powered the ball past the goalkeeper on the far post.
Syosset doubled the lead in the 60th minute. This time the ball was played out wide to Amy Marron, who slotted it down the middle to Jessica Widmann, who connected from eight yards.
In the 70th minute, Mary Speck converted a penalty kick for Albertson after a handball on a Sting defender.
"I don't think the score reflected the effort," Agiato said. "I think we had a lot of scoring opportunities that we didn't have a chance to convert. I think they had an equal amount of possession as us. They weren't as dangerous as often. I think we had eight or 10 quality scoring opportunities. I don't think they had a shot on goal from within 15 yards the entire game.
After the State Cup came the grueling Region I tournament, where the Sting earned the U-17 crown with a 1-0 win over the Penn Fusion 92.
No one had to remind Agiato how difficult winning the regionals was, especially for the second consecutive year.
"You have best teams in the region," he said. "You have 16 quality teams. The first thing you want to do is getting out of your bracket. You don't think about winning it. You think about getting out of your bracket. You go in and you do the best you can. With 17-year-old girls anything can happen any given day with any team."
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