By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
July 27, 2016-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Claire Thoma is receiving a Patricia Louise Masotto and Brenda Driscoll Scholarship, which is based on academic and athletic success as well as community service. The scholarship’s namesakes were best friends and top women’s soccer players from Massapequa, Long Island. Eastern New York set up a scholarship in their name after they were killed by a drunk driver in 1985.
In the East Hudson Youth Soccer League (EHYSL), Claire played for the East Fishkill Phantoms, Quickstrike and New York Xtreme FC ‘98s as well as the East Hudson Academy and Eastern New York’s Olympic Development Program (ODP). She also received a scholarship from the EHYSL in addition to Eastern New York.
At John Jay High School, the Hopewell Junction resident played both varsity soccer and basketball for four years, receiving the Scholar/Athlete Award in 2013 and ’14. She also won the Poughkeepsie Journal All-Section Soccer Honors and All-League Basketball Honors. In her essay, she wrote, “Being a team member has given me the opportunity to be a leader and it has taught me the importance of a positive attitude and hard work.“
Claire was Vice President of the Renaissance Club, a New Student Mentoring Leader, Interact Community Service Club and a member of the National Honor Society, Math Honor Society and High Honor Roll. She will be playing college soccer at Roanoke College in Virginia this fall.
With over 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 11 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.