Back row, left to right: Philip Hovers, Brady Leitner, Noe Messer, Andre Insalaco, Christian "Grillo” Torres, Dwyant Sauzo, Abdallah Soulemana, Paolo Mangiafico, MO Maroc, Coach Milan Davidovic
Front row, left to right: Tayte Wong, George Popovic, Nico Mangiafico, Daniel D’ippolito, Eduardo Godinez, Coach Mark Hopper, Aedan Hopper, Gerrardo Guerra
Camera shy: Bennett Leitner, Michael Micceri, Jacques Verard, Peter Tinaj
By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
July 8, 2023-FC Somers Arsenal won all six games at Regionals in late June in Loudoun County, Virginia, outscoring their opponents by an emphatic 20 to 2 to win the Boys-Under-19 Regional championship.
In the Regional final on June 29, FC Somers Arsenal defeated another Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) team, the South Shore Bulldogs, 3-0, reversing their 3-0 loss to the same Bulldogs team on June 4 in the State Cup final in LaGrange.
“We have forged an amazing rivalry with South Shore and have been battling those guys for championships since Under-13. We have the most respect for their coaches and all their players,” FC Somers coach Mark Hopper stated. "The key to the game was scoring the first goal that allowed us to play more on the counterattack which is one of our biggest strengths. When the Bulldogs score first, they are a very difficult team to break down. Plus we had superb team and player performances across the board.”
Coach Milan Davidovic added, “Team spirit is our greatest attribute as it's always been so special with this group. I have never seen a team so close and willing to continue to put the team first. In addition, they are really superb players who have had great success and experiences in their youth careers.”
FC Somers will be representing Eastern New York at the Nationals from July 17 to 23 in Orlando as part of the National Championship Series.
Coach Davidovic concluded, “We plan on practicing five or six times and give the National Championships a real go. Our confidence is very good after the Regionals.”
With approximately 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 10 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 onto http://www.enysoccer.com/